Hordeum vulgare
Barley plant
Hordeum vulgare, commonly known as barley, is a versatile cereal grain widely cultivated for food and brewing. Beyond its nutritional value, it holds significant medicinal potential. Rich in bioactive compounds like beta-glucan, it offers therapeutic benefits, including supporting digestive health, regulating blood sugar, and lowering cholesterol levels effectively.
- Scientific name: Hordeum vulgare
- Family: Poaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Hordeum vulgare, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Poales and the family Poaceae. Its specific classification is completed by its placement in the genus Hordeum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Poales | WCVP |
| Family | Poaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Hordeum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Hordeum vulgare, is recognized by various names across different linguistic traditions. In French, it is referred to as l'orge commune, while in German, it is called die Gerste. In Russian, the plant is known as ячмень обыкновенный, and in Amharic, it is called ገብስ. Furthermore, in English (archaic), it is referred to as Bere.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| fr | orge commune | Wikidata |
| de | Gerste | Wikidata |
| ru | ячмень обыкновенный | Wikidata |
| am | ገብስ | Wikidata |
| ang | Bere | Wikidata |
| arc | ܣܥܪܬܐ | Wikidata |
| ar | شعير | Wikidata |
| ay | Siwara | Wikidata |
| az | Adi arpa | Wikidata |
| be | Ячмень звычайны | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known scientifically as Hordeum vulgare, exhibits a specific distribution across several regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing within the coastal and inland landscapes of Denmark. The species is also documented throughout the territories of Finland. Furthermore, its presence extends to the islands of Great Britain and Iceland. Finally, the plant is well-established within the natural environments of Ireland.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Iceland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Hordeum vulgare, offers various components that are utilized for their nutritional and medicinal properties. The most commonly consumed parts are the grains, which are technically the seed of the plant and serve as a fundamental dietary staple. In addition to the mature harvest, the young, tender barley grass leaf is highly valued in holistic wellness for its dense concentration of vitamins and enzymes. Whether one is consuming the hearty whole grains or the nutrient-rich green shoots, each part of the plant contributes to its overall therapeutic profile.- Total parts
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seed | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| grains | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Barley grass leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Hordeum vulgare has 62 reported phytochemicals identified across 71 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, starch, fatty acids, lunasin, tocopherol.
- Total chemicals
- 62
- Scientific sources
- 71
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| starch | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| fatty acids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lunasin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tocopherol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| zearalenone | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ADPglucose | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| As | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CO | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cat1 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Hordeum vulgare has 6 reported activities identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Anti-Itching, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Galactagogue.
- Total activities
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Anti-Itching | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Galactagogue | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Lactogenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Hordeum vulgare has 35 reported medicinal uses identified across 38 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, indigestion, oxidative stress, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, abiotic stress.
- Total uses
- 35
- Scientific sources
- 38
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| indigestion | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| abiotic stress | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acne | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acne vulgaris | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anti-oxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |