Priscilla's special blend of grains includes a generous amount of Barley. Barley grass is the most tender, sweetest and easiest to digest of all the grains. Young Barley grass contains the most protein of all the grasses. Barley grass is one of the green grasses, the only vegetation on the earth that can supply sole nutritional support from birth to old age. Barley has served as a food staple in most cultures. The use of barley for food and medicinal purposes dates to antiquity. Agronomists place this ancient cereal grass as being cultivated as early as 7000 BC. Roman gladiators ate barley for strength and stamina. In the West, it was first known for the barley grain it produces. Barley grass contains eighteen amino acids, including the eight essential ones. Amino acids we must get from our diet as the body cannot produce them itself. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, which are the major constituents of every cell and body fluid (except urine and bile) and are thus necessary for the continual cell building, cell regeneration, and energy production that we need for life. An added benefit of the barley grass proteins is that they are polypeptides; smaller proteins that can be directly absorbed by the blood, where they promote cell metabolism and neutralize substances that are bad for our health. Barley Grass also contains a wide spectrum of vitamins and minerals. It is clear that the leaves of the cereal grasses provide the nearest thing this planet offers to the perfect food. The barley grass also contains chlorophyll. Chlorophyll has been studied for its potential as a deodorant, in stimulating tissue growth, and in stimulating red blood cells in connection with blood supply. The chlorophyll formed complex compounds with the carcinogens (cancer causing) while they were still in the digestive tract, limiting their negative effect on the body. Barley also contains glucan, a fiber also found in oat bran and reported to reduce cholesterol levels. The root contains the alkaloid hordenine, which stimulates peripheral blood circulation and has been used as a bronchodilator for bronchitis. Barley bran, like wheat bran may be effective in protecting against the risk of cancer. The barley grass also contains a wide spectrum of vitamins and minerals. Among the vitamins are beta-carotene and five B vitamins, including vitamin B12. Barley Grass also contains: folic acid, antioxidant vitamin C and vitamin E. Minerals include calcium, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus. Lab analysis on barley grass has turned up more than 70 other trace minerals. Barley Grass also known as: Hordeum vulgare, barley grass Information from http://www.go-symmetry.com/barley-grass.htm