Diet gun

Barley is by nature cold, moist and drying, but it has a certain laxative property from the juice of the straw.

This is proven, if we want to boil unhusked barley: its decoction is a strong laxative. However, if it is husked, it becomes rather refreshing and astringent. When it is roasted, its moisture and laxative property are destroyed by the fire and the cold and dry part remains.

If therefore it is necessary to cool and dry it, then the dough of barley flour will acquire these properties, in any way and if it is prepared. Such is the property of barley bread.

Flour containing bran has a lower nutritional value, but is more laxative.

Flour that does not contain bran is more nutritious, but it facilitates bowel movements less.

Unfermented sourdough is light, laxative because it is digested quickly, and refreshing because it has been moistened with cold water.

The passages are too narrow for the food and do not accept the addition of another. Thus, one part of it is diluted and expelled along with the air, while the other remains there and creates gases.

One part of the gases is expelled from the top with belching and the other from the bottom.

Thus, part of the food is expelled from the body in the form of gases.

If barley bread is offered immediately after being mixed with water, it has drying properties, because after the barley flour has become dry and soaked with water, it falls into the stomach and absorbs its moisture with its heat, because it is natural for cold to attract hot and hot to attract cold. When we need to dry or cool someone suffering from diarrhea, this type of barley bread is indicated.

Dry and well-kneaded barley bread does not dry out the same way, because it is very concentrated. It is eliminated slowly from the intestine without creating gas or belching.

The mixture prepared from barley flour (kykeon) with water and milk or wine (or with the addition of honey, cheese, salt and herbs) is refreshing and nutritious. With wine it becomes warming and astringent.

With honey it is less warming but more laxative if the honey is diluted, otherwise it is astringent.

With milk it is nutritious, with sheep’s milk it is astringent, while with goat’s milk or mare’s or donkey’s milk it is laxative, less laxative if it is prepared with cow’s milk.

Important Clarifications

The word “dry” according to Hippocrates refers to foods, substances or conditions that are considered to be able to collect, dry, absorb liquid or reduce moisture in the body.

Correspondingly, the word “moist” or “wet” refers to substances and diets that increase internal moisture and soften the body.

There are 4 “qualities” of foods/substances according to Hippocratic medicine

Warm or Hot: stimulate, strengthen, activate.

Cold:soothe, calm, reduce body heat.

Dry: astringent, drying, removes body fluids.

Moist or Wet: soften, relax, lubricate, increase body fluids.

HIPPOCRATES series of articles :
HIPPOCRATES (460 BC – 377 BC) – ON DIET I
HIPPOCRATES (460 BC – 377 BC) – ON DIET II – Foods containing flesh (meat, fish, seafood)
HIPPOCRATES (460 BC – 377 BC) – ON DIET III – Fruits
HIPPOCRATES (460 BC – 377 BC) – ON DIET IV – Satiety
HIPPOCRATES (460 BC – 377 BC) – ON DIET V – Wine
HIPPOCRATES (460 BC – 377 BC) – ON DIET VI – Constipation and Obstructive Ileus