none 10.31254/phyto.2024.13509 BioMed Research Publishers BioMed Research Publishers 16195 169316728 316921 20241224000039714 10.31254 2024-12-24T00:00:47Z 2024-12-24T00:00:41Z 3 The Journal of Phytopharmacology J Phytopharmacol 2320480X 10.31254/phyto https://www.phytopharmajournal.com/ 10 31 2024 13 5 Mehvash Alvi Mohammad Nauman Saleem https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1636-3215 Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is one of the most ancient cereals that has been used for food and medicinal purposes since the distant past. Historically, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Chinese, and Indian civilizations have relied heavily on barley as a nutritious food source as well as a therapeutic agent for various ailments. Its health-protective activity is endorsed by many religions and traditional medicines including the Unani system of medicine. In Unani medicine, barley is prescribed for many health conditions such as anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, etc. In Prophetic medicine, barley is prescribed to be consumed as talbina (porridge made from barley flour, milk and honey) to remove weakness of the heart. Because of its unique chemical composition and health effects, barley is gaining unprecedented attention from food scientists, dieticians, food industries and consumers throughout the world. In comparison with other cereal crops, like wheat, rice and maize, barley grains are superior in dietary fiber (such as β-glucan) and tocols, which are valuable for human health. It is well-documented that diets rich in these chemical compounds can protect against hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Owing to the present knowledge of barley’s health-promoting constituents, it can also understand why it was a popular food ingredient in the diets of our ancestors. This review article attempts to briefly summarize the origin, classification, and description of barley grain besides its use as a food and medicinal supplement from ancient times to the present era with scientific evidence. 10 31 2024 402 406 1 10.31254/biomed-crossmark-policy www.biomedresearch.org false 10.31254/phyto.2024.13509 https://www.phytopharmajournal.com/assets/pdf_files/Vol13_Issue5_09.pdf