Can drinking barley tea help soothe an upset stomach?
May 14, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhou Chao
Introduction
Poor stomach health is usually improved by drinking barley tea, but drinking it on an empty stomach typically does not help nourish the stomach. The specific analysis is as follows: Barley tea is generally made by roasting barley and steeping it in hot water. According to traditional Chinese medicine, barley tea has certain benefits such as strengthening the spleen, aiding digestion, clearing heat, and quenching thirst. Moderate consumption can promote food digestion and thereby improve symptoms like indigestion.
Generally, barley tea is commonly consumed to support stomach health when experiencing gastric discomfort. However, drinking it on an empty stomach usually does not benefit the stomach. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Supporting stomach health
Barley tea is typically made by roasting barley and then steeping it in hot water. According to traditional Chinese medicine, barley tea has certain beneficial effects such as strengthening the spleen, aiding digestion, clearing heat, and quenching thirst. Moderate consumption can promote food digestion and help alleviate symptoms of indigestion. Therefore, drinking an appropriate amount of barley tea may benefit individuals with poor gastric health.
2. Not beneficial to the stomach
Barley is considered to have a cool nature, and thus barley tea also possesses cooling properties. For individuals with sensitive stomachs, drinking barley tea on an empty stomach generally does not nourish the stomach and may even worsen gastric discomfort. Additionally, excessive consumption of barley tea should be avoided to prevent conditions such as stomach chills or diarrhea.
It should be noted that barley may suppress lactation or reduce milk secretion; therefore, pregnant and nursing women should consume it cautiously. Also, properly roasted barley is typically golden yellow in color. If the barley appears burnt or blackened, it may have been over-roasted and is not recommended for brewing, as it might contain carcinogenic substances.
