Drinking barley water was one of my childhood rituals. My mother told me that barley, being a grain, has soluble fiber that regulates our stomachs, prevent water retention and cleanse our urinary system by flushing out all toxins from our body.

A home cooked barley water is made by boiling pearl barley with water, commonly flavored with lemon. It is also a cooling drink; I was encouraged to drink lots of it during the hot seasons.

Now that I’m a mother, I’ve been promoting this nourishing drink to my son. I cook barley water for him almost every week. Initially, he hates it. But after numerous attempts, he enjoys drinking it now. Rock sugar does the trick! I add a small amount to lightly sweeten the barley water.

In fact, barley water is the best supplementary drink when our children are unwell. When they are down with fever, vomiting, diarrhea or HFMD, they need plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Barley water is the ideal choice, especially when they reject water.

Barley is most effective in curing and preventing urinary tract infections. Drinking barley water several times a day helps to flush out toxins quickly and clears the urine well.

This is the barley water that I cook – the bigger bottle for my old master (aka husband) and the smaller bottle for my little master (aka Edison).

Barley Drink

 

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