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Barley (Hordeum vulgare) Be aware that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and dietary supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products containing or claiming to contain barley. Decisions to use herbs or supplements should be carefully considered. Individuals using prescription drugs should discuss taking herbs or supplements with a pharmacist or health care professional before starting.
Scientists have studied barley for the following health problems: High cholesterol, cardiovascular disease | Barley fiber, barley flour and barley oil has been observed to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. However, it is not clear what dose is safe or effective. Further study is needed to determine effects on cardiovascular disease. | Ulcerative colitis | Some studies suggest that germinated barley foodstuffs — a product made from barley — may improve symptoms of ulcerative colitis by altering the environment inside the intestine. Barley is often referred to as a prebiotic. However, many of these studies have been small, with flaws in their designs. Further studies are need before barley can be recommended for this use. | High blood sugar levels | Early evidence suggests that barley may improve sugar tolerance and lower blood sugar levels after eating. However, studies have been small and not conclusive. | Constipation | Barley has traditionally been used as a treatment for constipation because it is high in fiber. However, there is little scientific evidence to support its use for this purpose. Increased stool volume has been reported with barley intake. |
Barley has been suggested for many other uses, based on tradition or on scientific theories. However, these uses have not been thoroughly studied in humans, and there is limited scientific evidence about safety or effectiveness. Some of these suggested uses are for conditions that are potentially very serious and even life-threatening. You should consult a health care professional before taking barley for any unproven use. Antimicrobial
Antioxidant
Appetite suppressant
Blood circulation
Boils
Bronchitis
Bronchodilation
Cancer
Celiac disease
Colon cancer
Diabetes
Diarrhea | Gastritis
Glucose tolerance (improve)
Hair growth stimulant
High blood pressure
Immunomodulator
Inflammatory bowel disease
Irritable bowel syndrome
Kidney disease
Nutritional supplement
Stamina and strength enhancer
Sweetener
Upset stomach
Weight loss |
Allergies People should avoid barley if they have a known allergy to barley flour or beer made with barley. There have been multiple reports of allergies to barley and beer. Signs of allergy may include rash, itching or shortness of breath. Side Effects Barley is usually well tolerated as a grain or in beer. Wheat, rye and barley proteins can induce celiac disease, an autoimmune type of gastrointestinal disorder, in genetically susceptible persons. People with a history of celiac disease may experience stomach discomfort after eating barley, and there may be an increased long-term risk of cancer if people with celiac disease eat barley. Skin rash, swelling of the tongue, cough, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, worsening of asthma or breathlessness has occurred with barley use, possibly as a result of allergic reactions. Eye, nose or sinus irritation may occur when barley dust is inhaled. Fungal contamination of barley with Trichothecium roseum has occurred and may cause a serious condition in which bones break down. Another contaminant that has been found in barley is ochratoxin A. It is possible that use of barley in infant formulas may cause malnutrition and abnormally low numbers of certain cells in the blood. Pregnancy And Breast-Feeding Excessive use of barley sprouts is not advised during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects or spontaneous abortion.
Interactions with drugs, supplements and other herbs have not been thoroughly studied. The interactions listed below have been reported in scientific publications. If you are taking prescription drugs, speak with a health care professional or pharmacist before using herbs or dietary supplements. Interactions With Drugs In general, prescription drugs should be taken one hour before or two hours after barley because barley may reduce the effectiveness of many drugs, vitamins and minerals. One component of barley may increase the side effects associated with some drugs, including over-the-counter cold treatments containing pseudoephedrine (Sudafed). Barley may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised if you are taking drugs that may also lower blood sugar levels. Patients taking oral drugs for diabetes or using insulin should be monitored closely by a health care professional while using barley. Dosing adjustments may be necessary. Barley may increase the effects of cholesterol-lowering drugs. Heart and blood pressure drugs and drugs used to treat parasites may interact with barley. Interactions With Herbs And Dietary Supplements In general, other herbs or supplements should be taken one hour before or two hours after barley because barley may reduce their effectiveness. One component of barley may increase the side effects associated with the use of supplements such as ephedra. Barley may lower blood sugar levels. People using other herbs or supplements that may alter blood sugar levels, such as bitter melon ( Momordica charantia), should be monitored closely by a health care professional while using barley. Dosing adjustments may be necessary. Use of cholesterol-lowering herbs, such as red yeast, in combination with barley may further lower cholesterol levels. Improvements of zinc absorption in breakfast meals may be achieved by optimized hydrothermal treatment or malting of barley. Herbs and supplements that affect the heart, blood pressure or treat parasite infection may interact with barley.
The doses listed below are based on scientific research, publications or traditional use. Because most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly studied or monitored, safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients even within the same brand. Combination products often contain small amounts of each ingredient and may not be effective. Appropriate dosing should be discussed with a health care professional before starting therapy; always read the recommendations on a product's label. The dosing for unproven uses should be approached cautiously, because scientific information is limited in these areas. There are no standard or well-studied doses of barley, and many different doses are used traditionally. Most studies have used barley in foods. A product called germinated barley foodstuffs can be produced from barley and is sometimes used medicinally. Adults (Aged 18 Or Older) Oral use: For treating mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis, a dose of 10 grams of germinated barley foodstuffs taken by mouth up to three times daily has been used (20 to 30 grams per day). To lower cholesterol levels, three milliliters of barley oil taken daily in two divided doses or 30 grams of barley bran flour taken each day have been used. When treating constipation, a dose of nine grams of barley daily has been used. Children (Younger Than 18) There are not enough scientific data to recommend barley for use in children beyond doses found in foods, and barley is not recommended because of potential side effects.
Barley, barley oil and germinated barley foodstuffs have been suggested as treatments for many conditions. There is some research to support the use of barley or barley oil for lowering high cholesterol levels. However, there is not enough scientific evidence to support the use of barley products for any other medical condition. Barley may lower blood sugar levels. Use barley carefully if you take drugs by mouth or use insulin to control your blood sugar levels. Consult a health care professional immediately if you have any side effects. The information in this monograph was prepared by the professional staff at Natural Standard, based on thorough systematic review of scientific evidence. The material was reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School with final editing approved by Natural Standard.
- Natural Standard: An organization that produces scientifically based reviews of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) topics
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM): A division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services dedicated to research
Selected Scientific Studies: Barley Natural Standard has reviewed all of the currently available medical literature to prepare the professional monograph from which this version was created. Some of the more recent studies are listed below: - Allen, Jackson P. Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of celiac disease in children. Pediatric Nursing 2004;30(6):473.
- Armentia A, Rodriguez R, Callejo A, et al. Allergy after ingestion or inhalation of cereals involves similar allergens in different ages. Clin Exp Allergy 2002;Aug, 32(8):1216-1222.
- Bamba T, Kanauchi O, Andoh A, Fujiyama Y. A new prebiotic from germinated barley for nutraceutical treatment of ulcerative colitis. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2002;Aug, 17(8):818-824. Review.
- Behall KM, Scholfield DJ, Hallfrisch J. Diets containing barley significantly reduce lipids in mildly hypercholesterolemic men and women. Am J Clin Nutr 2004;Nov, 80(5):1185-1193.
- Behall KM, Scholfield DJ, Hallfrisch J. Lipids significantly reduced by diets containing barley in moderately hypercholesterolemic men. J Am Coll Nutr 2004;Feb, 23(1):55-62.
- Bjorck I, Elmstahl HL. The glycaemic index: importance of dietary fibre and other food properties. Proc Nutr Soc 2003;62(1):201-206.
- Etoh H, Murakami K, Yogoh T, et al. Anti-oxidative compounds in barley tea. Bioscience, Biotechnology & Biochemistry 2004;68(12):2616-2618.
- Fredlund K, Bergman EL, Rossander-Hulthen L, et al. Hydrothermal treatment and maltind of barley improved zinc absorption but not calcium absorption in humans. Eur J Clin Nutr 2003;Dec, 57(12):1507-1513.
- Gabrovska D, Fiedlerova V, Holasova M, et al. The nutritional evaluation of underutilized cereals and buckwheat. Food Nutr Bull 2002;Sep, 23(3 Suppl):246-249.
- Hogberg L, Laurin P, et al. Oats to children with newly diagnosed celiac disease: a randomized double blind study. Gut 2004;May, 53(5):649-654.
- Ivarsson A, Hernell O, Stenlund H, Persson LA. Breast-feeding protects against celiac disease. Am J Clin Nutr 2002;May, 75(5):914-921.
- Jenkins DJ, Kendall CW, Marchie A, et al. Type 2 diabetes and the vegetarian diet. Am J Clin Nutr 2003;Sep, 78(3 Suppl):610-616. Review.
- Kanauchi O, Mitsuyama K, Homma T, et al. Treatment of ulcerative colitis patients by long-term administration of germinated barley foodstuff: multi-center open trial. Int J Mol Med 2003;12(5):701-704.
- Kanauchi O, Mitsuyama K, Araki Y, et al. Modification of intestinal flora in the treatment of inflammatory bowl disease. Curr Pharm Des 2003;9(4):333-346.
- Keenan JM, Goulson M, Shamliyan T, et al. The effects of concentrated barley beta-glucan on blood lipids in a population of hypercholesterolaemic men and women. Br. J. Nutr. 2007 Jun;97(6):1162-8.
- Keogh GF, Cooper GJ, Mulvey TB, et al. Randomized controlled crossover study of the effect of highly beta-glucan-enriched barley on cardiovascular disease risk factors in mildly hypercholesterolemic men. Am J Clin Nutr 2003;78(4):711-718.
- Li J, Kaneko T, Qin LQ, et al. Effects of barley intake on glucose tolerance, lipid metabolism, and bowel function in women. Nutrition 2003;19(11-12):926-929.
- Natural Standard Research Collaboration, Chief Editors: Ulbricht C, Basch E, Natural Standard Herb and Supplement Reference - Evidence-Based Clinical Reviews, USA: Elsevier/Mosby, 2005.
- Maki M, Mustalahti K, Kokkonen J, et al. Prevalence of celiac disease among children in Finland. N Engl J Med 2003;348(25):2517-2524.
- Montbriand MJ. Herbs or natural products that protect against cancer growth: part three of a four part series. Oncol Nurs Forum 2004;Nov, 31(6): E127-E146. Online exclusive.
- Saito S, Kondo K, Hamada T, et al. A case of steroid dependent ulcerative colitis (total colitis type) treated by combined use of germinated barley foodstuff. Nippon Shokakibyo Gakkai Zasshi 2003;100(4):426-429.
Last updated September 03, 2008
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