If you enjoy it and it fits your dietary needs, you can consider it a beverage. Plain water remains a suitable everyday choice—you do not need barley water to follow a kidney-stone prevention plan.

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Considering additional paid reading? View the Kidney Stone Removal Report. It is an information product, not a personalised treatment plan.

What Is Barley Water?

Barley water is the liquid obtained by cooking barley in water, usually followed by straining. Recipes differ in the amount of grain, cooking time and added ingredients.

It is not the same as eating a serving of cooked barley. You should not assume that a strained drink contains the same amount of fibre or other nutrients as the whole grain.

Commercial versions may contain added sugar, flavourings or other ingredients, so check the label.

What Does the Research Show?

Barley is widely used as a traditional stone remedy, but popularity does not demonstrate effectiveness.

A 2024 survey documented the use of barley and other nonmedical remedies. It was a survey of people’s practices, not a controlled test showing that barley water removes stones. The researchers called for clinical studies of effectiveness and safety.

There has also been research on a multi-ingredient herbal formulation containing barley alongside other plant extracts. Results from that formulation cannot establish that homemade barley water alone produces the same effects.

The practical distinction is that drinking fluid and treating an existing stone are different things.

Can Barley Water Dissolve or Flush Out Stones?

There is no established barley-water recipe or dose that reliably dissolves kidney stones.

Some small stones pass naturally. If someone passes a stone after drinking barley water, that timing alone does not prove the drink caused it.

Treatment decisions depend on the stone’s size and location, symptoms, and whether it is causing obstruction or infection. Some stones require medication or a procedure.

Do not use a barley-water routine to postpone recommended treatment or follow-up.

For broader context, read our home-remedies evidence guide.

How to Make Plain Barley Water

The following is a beverage recipe, not a kidney-stone treatment prescription.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of food-grade pearl barley.
• Approximately 750 mL of drinking water.
• An optional squeeze of lemon for flavour.

Method

1. Rinse the barley.
2. Put it in a saucepan with the water.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
4. Follow the barley packet’s cooking instructions, adding water if needed.
5. Strain into a clean container and allow it to reach a comfortable drinking temperature.

You can serve it warm or cooled according to preference. There is no established stone-treatment advantage to drinking it warm.

Keep it unsweetened. Adding salt, including pink salt, is unnecessary and increases sodium intake.

How Much Should You Drink?

There is no evidence-based daily dose of barley water for kidney stones.

If you choose to drink it, count it within your total fluid intake, rather than adding several extra cups to an existing target.

Your appropriate fluid intake depends on your health and circumstances. People with a prescribed fluid restriction should follow their care team’s instructions.

Our water-intake guide explains the difference between how much you drink and how much urine you produce.

If you explore the Kidney Stone Removal Report, check any suggested drinking schedule against your own medical advice.

Who Should Avoid or Review Barley Water?

People With Celiac Disease

Barley contains gluten. Homemade barley water should not be considered gluten-free simply because the grain has been strained out.

Choose a suitable alternative, such as plain water, if you need to avoid gluten.

People With a Barley Allergy

Avoid barley-containing drinks if you have a known barley allergy.

People Following a Fluid Restriction

Barley water still counts as fluid. Do not use it to exceed a limit prescribed for a medical condition.

People Monitoring Carbohydrate Intake

Check packaged drinks for added sugar and total carbohydrate. Homemade preparations vary, so avoid assuming that every barley drink has the same nutritional content.

What Helps With Long-Term Prevention?

Adequate fluid intake is one part of prevention. Depending on your stone type, your plan may also include reducing sodium, maintaining appropriate dietary calcium or adjusting particular foods.

Barley water does not replace these measures, prescribed medication or testing.

Use our kidney stone diet chart for meal-planning guidance and our Indian home-remedies article for related traditional remedies.

When to Seek Urgent Help

Seek urgent medical assessment for suspected kidney stone symptoms with:

• Fever or chills.
• An inability to urinate, or only passing a very small amount.
• Severe or uncontrolled pain.
• Persistent vomiting.

Do not respond to these symptoms by repeatedly increasing barley water or other drinks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days does barley water take to remove a stone?

There is no proven timeframe. Do not rely on promises that it removes stones within a set number of days.

Is barley water better than plain water?

There is insufficient clinical evidence that homemade barley water is superior to plain water for stone prevention or passage.

Does adding lemon make it dissolve stones?

No established evidence supports that claim. Lemon can add flavour, but the combination is not equivalent to prescribed stone treatment.

Can barley water treat burning urination?

It should not be used as treatment for unexplained urinary burning. Infection and other causes may need assessment.

Can I drink it every day?

There is no medical need to do so for kidney stones. Whether it fits your routine depends on your dietary needs, tolerance and any fluid restriction.

Optional further reading: Kidney Stone Removal Report. Purchasing a report is not necessary to follow the general guidance above.

Resources

• Research: Use of Barley and Parsley for Kidney Stones
• Clinical Study: A Multi-Ingredient Herbal Formulation
• National Kidney Foundation: Kidney Stone Diet and Prevention
• NIDDK: Kidney Stone Treatment
• NIDDK: Celiac Disease and Gluten
• NIDDK: Kidney Stone Symptoms

Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

Medical disclaimer: This article provides general information and does not replace personalised medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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