Lemon Barley Water

Create this simple alkalising gentle traditional herbal drink. Known for lowering LDL cholesterol levels and regulating gut bacteria and encouraging weight loss. This is a simple recipe to keep in your fridge for the family to enjoy cool on warm summer days or sipping warm in the winter time.

homemade lemon barley water

One of the best alkalisers around lemon barley water is a simple treat for the whole body. It tastes delicious and posseses a raft of impressive health benefits. Barley is an excellent source of soluble dietary fibre which is essential for contributing to bowel health and lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease. Studies have also shown Beta glucans in Barley also can reduce LDL cholesterol or "bad" cholesterol. Barley also plays an essential role in regulating the gut, specifically reducing the presence of bacterioides which if overgrown have been linked to problems with the joints, genitals and central nervous system.

"Overall, barley and beta- Glucan isolated from barley lowered total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels by 0.30mmol/l compared with control"-European Journal of Clinical nutrition 2010

Barley water was thought to have originated in ancienct Greece where it was consumed as an elixer of health and for its cooling and refreshing properties. Hippocrates the father of medicine often reccomended it to the healthy and sick alike for its digestive health benefits.

Lemon Barley Water

You will need

To make this recipe perfectly, stick with the measurments, optional additions include natural sweeteners such as honey or for low sugar diets a drop of stevia, or alternatives.

Equiptment:

• Large soaking bowl

• Strainer such as cheese cloth or a siv

• pan with a lid for simmering

• litre bottle with lid

• Fruit squeezer (you can also just squeeze by hand if you prefer)

• ½ cup pearl barley

• 1 litre cold filtered water

• 1/2 lemon rind

• 2 lemons juiced
  

Method

Begin the day before you injtend to drink

1. Rinse the barley at least 3 times inder fresh running water to clean

2. Add the barley to the mixing bowl and cover with a finger knuckle depth of water and soak over night.

3. Next morning add the barley into a simmering pan and add the lemon rind and simmer until the barley is tender

4. Allow to cool then Strain the barley water using the siv or cheese cloth back into the mixing bowl.

5. Add the lemon juice and carefully pour into the bottle with a lid

6. Store in the fridge for upto a week. Add honey or stevia to taste if desired.