Food
Barley Water
A gentle, time-honored drink made by simmering barley in water, traditionally used to comfort and soothe the urinary tract.
🌱 What it is
Barley water is made by simmering whole or pearl barley grains in water until the liquid turns soft and slightly cloudy, then straining out the grains. It has been sipped for generations as a mild, soothing home drink.
✨ How it may help
- Traditionally used to support urinary comfort as a gentle, hydrating drink
- May help support healthy hydration throughout the day
- Traditionally used to soothe the stomach after a simple meal
- May help support gentle digestion with the small amount of dissolved grain fiber
🥄 How to use it
Simmer barley in water for about 20-30 minutes, strain off the cloudy liquid, and sip it warm or cooled, plain or with a little lemon.
🥗 Nutrition
Per 1 cup (240 ml), home-prepared · about 20 calories
- Mostly water
- Carbohydrate (trace, from dissolved starch) ~5 g
- Small amounts of B vitamins
⚖️ Caution
Barley contains gluten, so it is not suitable for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Barley water is a soothing helper, not a treatment for infection - see a doctor for a urinary infection with fever, back pain, or symptoms that do not settle. Drink it unsweetened or only lightly sweetened to keep it gentle.
🍃 A note from nature
Barley was one of the earliest grains ever cultivated, sustaining ancient households through simple, humble preparations like this one long before modern medicine existed.