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Barley Yi Yi Ren
Yi4 Yi3 Ren1 Barley Sm. Coicis Lachryma-jobi Jobs's Seed Tears
Properties: sweet, bland, slightly cold
Channels: Spleen, Lung, Kidney
Functions: Strengthens Digestion and stops diarrhea and loose stools
Skin diseases such as eczema, warts,
Promotes urination
Clears heat and expels pus; used with other herbs
Dosage in decoction: 10-30g up to 40g; 15g okay for kids
Caution: pregnancy: causes uterus to contract if >30g
dry stool and constipation
Comparative Ethnobotany:
Barley was clutivated more widely and easily than wheat in the near east.
The Biblical species, Hordeum hexastichon and H. vulgare, were
used to make bread and feed livestock. Being easy to cultivate, barley became
associated with poverty. "There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves,
and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?" John 6:9.
Chinese Pharmacopoeia Index
References:
Gardening with Biblical Plants. Wilma James. 1983. Nelson-Hall Inc. Chicago. pp. 106-7