Barley grass: composition, growing, uses and precautions
Barley grassHordeum vulgareis the young shoot of barley: it is consumed as a powder, diluted in water, juice or a smoothie. At Biovie, we have been offering and using it for over 15 years.
In this article, I share what I've learned about barley grass: its composition, how to choose between dehydrated barley grass and powdered juice, the dosage, the side effects to be aware of and growing it at home.
A bit of history of barley grass
Everything begins with Ann Wigmore, pioneer of raw food. This remarkable woman founded the famous Hippocrates Institute.
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Cytochrome oxidase: two enzymes naturally present in the plant
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
Saponarin and lutonarin: flavonoids specific to barley
Proanthocyanidins: polyphenolic compounds
Tryptophan: an amino acid
Dehydrated barley grass or barley grass juice powder: which one to choose ?
This is the question our clients ask me most often. And frankly, the distinction is important - the two products are not interchangeable.
TheDehydrated barley grass comes directly from young shoots dried at low temperatures (less than 42°C) and ground. It retains the entirety of the plant, including the fibers. The barley grass juice powder, It is obtained by extracting the juice from fresh shoots, then dehydrating it at a low temperature. The result: a more concentrated powder, but without cellulose.
Dehydrated barley grass → whole ground plant that keeps the fibers, consumed daily diluted in water or in a smoothie.
Barley grass juice powder → more concentrated and fiber-free, it dissolves easily in a glass of water or a vegetable juice.
In both cases, the recommended dosage isone teaspoon to one tablespoon per day. In both cases, the cold drying process preserves the integrity of the enzymes - this is what makes the difference compared to powders treated at high temperatures.
"Barley grass juice powder... These are rare products that I can only find at Biovie!" - Samantha M. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"I have been consuming barley grass juice, among other things, for years... I also recommend their products to my clients as a naturopath." - Amélie Bourdeleau, naturopath ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
How to consume barley grass? Dosage and practical advice
Recommended dosage
The recommended dose isone teaspoon to one tablespoon per day (about 3 to 10 g). If you are a beginner or have a sensitive nature, start with ½ teaspoon and gradually increase over one to two weeks. The body adapts better this way - and you avoid any potential minor digestive discomforts in the first few days. In case of any medical condition, the advice of your healthcare practitioner is essential before starting a regimen.
When to take barley grass ?
Three moments work well according to feedback from our clients:
In the morning on an empty stomach, in a large glass of water
30 minutes before meals
As a snack between meals, diluted in water or a juice
Personally, I take it in the morning in a large glass of water, sometimes in a smoothie when I have the time. Aurélie, on the other hand, prefers it in a vegetable juice - the mild flavor of barley grass blends in without overpowering.
How to easily incorporate it into your diet ?
Barley grass easily dissolves in: vegetable juices, green smoothies, porridges, Energy balls, flavored waters, or even crupotes or crukies. Its flavor is mild, slightly herbal - truly accessible. Discover 3 recipes with barley grass →
Trying it is adopting it - that's really what I've noticed for years.
"I have been ordering seawater and barley grass juice from Biovie for a few years now." - Christine V., Trustpilot ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3 easy recipes to enjoy barley grass every day
Here are our 3 favourite recipes to start or deepen your use of barley grass. Each can be prepared in under 5 minutes.
Growing your own barley grass and pressing its juice at home
Powder gets you through the year, but nothing replaces a freshly extracted juice. Growing your own barley grass takes a week, a tray and two minutes of attention a day - it is within reach of any flat, and it is the best way to know exactly what you are drinking.
Sowing: on soil or in a sprouter
Start by soaking the barley seeds for sprouting for about twelve hours in a jar of filtered water. For a first attempt, one or two tablespoons is enough: better to succeed with a small quantity than fail with a whole tray.
From there, two options:
On soil: spread 1 to 2 cm of untreated soil in a garden tray (60 to 80 cm long, with a leak-proof base indoors), moisten it, sow the seeds without crowding them, then cover with an upturned tray or dark plastic. As soon as roots appear, after two to three days, remove the cover and let the light in - never direct sunlight. It is the alternation of shade and light that gives a nicely green grass.
In an automatic sprouter: with an Easygreen sprouter, soil becomes unnecessary - programmed misting does the work and the crop stays perfectly clean. It is the simplest solution if you grow grass all year round.
Aim for a temperature of 20 to 25°C, circulating air, and constant humidity kept up with a spray bottle morning and evening. In winter, set the tray up in the warmest room: cold slows germination down considerably.
Harvesting at the right time
The grass is cut between day seven and day eight, when it is 8 to 15 cm tall. Cut close to the base. Rinse in good-quality water and spin dry (a salad spinner works very well). If you don't press it straight away, cut grass keeps for a week in the fridge in an airtight box - but the juice itself should be drunk within half an hour of extraction.
Extracting the juice: the right equipment and quantities
Barley grass is too fibrous for a standard centrifugal juicer: you need a slow masticating juicer, manual or electric, such as the Juice Me Up. Useful benchmarks to plan your sowing: 1 kg of grass yields about 300 g of juice, and a bunch about one and a half centimetres in diameter yields roughly 3 cl.
On quantities, gradual increase matters most: start with 3 cl of juice, neat or diluted with a carrot juice to soften the bitterness, then work up to 6 to 12 cl a day depending on your tolerance. As part of a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle, this small daily dose is more than enough. Without a juicer, chewing the grass also works - spit out the fibres, swallow only the juice - but the yield is low.
Barley grass or wheatgrass?
Both are grown in exactly the same way and pressed with the same equipment. Barley grass is a little milder in the mouth, whereas wheatgrass has a more pronounced taste. If you are just starting out, begin with barley. And if growing your own puts you off, barley grass juice powder remains an honest solution for busy days.
Does barley grass contain gluten ?
Barley grass harvested before the grains do not form is naturally gluten-free. It is precisely at this stage - the young shoot - that the plant is harvested by our producers. It is also free from the modifications that modern wheat or corn have undergone. Discover our gluten-free alternatives →
Important nuance: some products on the market may be contaminated with gluten during the manufacturing process if the facility also processes gluten-containing grains. This is why traceability matters.
Two products, one plant: barley grass powder (whole dehydrated shoots, rich in fiber) and barley grass juice powder (pressed juice then dried at low temperature, more concentrated and fiber-free). The first suits daily maintenance or seasonal changes; the second is better suited to targeted courses, for example as a support during a fast. Biovie also offers organic barley seeds for those who want to grow and press their own barley grass juice at home, using a juicer. In both cases, allow one tablespoon per day., 4
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Slight fatigue or headaches at the very beginning of a treatment - often a sign of an adaptation reaction, temporary and benign.
These effects generally disappear by reducing the dose and gradually increasing it over 1 to 2 weeks.
Contraindications and special precautions:
Diabetes under treatment: ask your doctor for advice before any regular consumption of barley grass.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding : insufficient data to date, consult your doctor or midwife before any treatment
Children under 12 years old : not recommended without pediatric advice
Interactions: if you are following a treatment (anticoagulants, antidiabetics, immunosuppressants), talk to your doctor about it
Grass allergy : recommended precaution even if the product is gluten-free
For any questions about the recommended daily intake, you can consult the data from theANSES (National Agency for Food Safety). This information does not replace the advice of a healthcare professional.
FAQ - Your questions about barley grass
What is barley grass ?
Barley grass is the young shoot of barley, harvested before the grain forms. It is consumed as a powder or juice, in water, a vegetable juice or a smoothie, as part of a varied and balanced diet.
When to take barley grass ?
Barley grass can be consumed in the morning on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before meals or as a snack between meals. The recommended dosage is one teaspoon to one tablespoon per day (3 to 10 g). In case of any medical condition or treatment, consult your healthcare practitioner.
Can I consume barley grass every day ?
Yes, barley grass can be consumed daily as part of a balanced diet. Start with a small dose (½ teaspoon) and gradually increase over one to two weeks. If you are undergoing medical treatment, seek your doctor's advice.
What is the difference between barley grass and barley grass juice ?
Dehydrated barley grass comes from dried and ground young shoots-it retains the fibers. Barley grass juice powder is obtained by dehydrating the juice extracted from fresh shoots: it is more concentrated, without cellulose, and dissolves easily in water or a vegetable juice.
Does barley grass contain gluten ?
Barley grass harvested before grain formation is naturally gluten-free. Biovie's barley grass products are guaranteed gluten-free and are laboratory tested. Some commercial products may be contaminated during manufacturing - always check for the "gluten-free" label and the absence of cross-contamination on the packaging.
What are the side effects of barley grass ?
Barley grass is generally well tolerated. At the beginning of a treatment or in case of too rapid introduction, transient digestive disorders (mild nausea, softer stools) may occur. Start with a low dose and gradually increase. Diabetic individuals under treatment, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or those taking anticoagulants should consult their doctor before starting any treatment.
Warning: The information presented in this article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet or supplementation. As part of a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
