Barley Grass

1. What Is Barley Grass?

Barley grass is the young leaves of barley. They are harvested before the ears grow. The leaves contain chlorophyll, fiber, minerals and plant compounds such as flavonoids.

2. Where Is It Found, and What Is It Made From?

Barley grass is found in powder from dried young leaves, in powder from dried juice, in tablets and capsules as well as in combination preparations. It is obtained by cutting the young shoots a few weeks after sowing, drying and grinding them or juicing them. Barley is grown worldwide.

3. What Does Barley Grass Do? What Research Shows

Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

This is about protection against harmful oxygen particles and about inflammation. A review attributes such effects to barley grass powder 1. In a randomized study on type-2 diabetes, an extract from young barley leaves protected LDL cholesterol in the blood longer from alteration by oxygen than a sham treatment 3. A second study without a sham treatment group also saw this with barley leaf extract alone, most strongly together with vitamin C and E 4.

Blood Sugar and Blood Lipids

The question is whether barley grass influences blood sugar and blood lipids. A review reports favorable effects in people with chronic diseases 1. A randomized study in healthy people found no greater reduction in cholesterol with capsules containing barley leaf extract than with a sham treatment 2. A study without a sham treatment group saw lower cholesterol levels in people with elevated blood lipids after four weeks of barley leaf extract than at the start 7. The strength of evidence is moderate because the controlled studies (with a comparison group) are small and short.

Digestion and Gut

A review attributes better gastrointestinal function and protection against constipation to barley grass powder 1. This assessment is based on a single review. How this appears in controlled studies and in healthy people is open.

Sleep and Mood

A review attributes a sleep-promoting effect to barley grass powder 1. Another review considers it, because of certain ingredients, to be a suitable sleep-promoting food; the exact processes still need to be clarified 9. Controlled studies on sleep duration and sleep quality are still lacking.

Other Outcomes

A review also attributes to barley grass powder strengthened defenses, liver protection, mood elevation and further effects 1. In an observational study on fibromyalgia, the participants felt better when they ate a predominantly raw vegetarian diet and took a dried barley grass juice product 5. A case report describes an improvement in a woman with hyperthyroidism who received cupping and a combination preparation with barley grass, royal jelly and Taraxaf® 6. Controlled studies on this are still lacking.

4. How Was Barley Grass Taken in the Studies?

The studies used extracts from young barley leaves, in one of them as a capsule 2. Another product was dried barley grass juice, which was part of a specific diet 5. The extract was partly combined with a diet rich in olive oil 3 or with vitamin C and vitamin E 4. A combination preparation of barley grass, royal jelly and Taraxaf® plus cupping was described in a case report.

5. Is Barley Grass Safe? Side Effects in the Studies

In a randomized study with capsules of barley leaf extract, there were no differences in clinical and laboratory findings over twelve weeks compared with a sham treatment 2. A review sees in fertilization and soil composition an underestimated source of fluctuating ingredients and possible safety concerns 8.

All details with tables and sources: full expert page on Barley grass