The Wonders of Wheatgrass

It sure has an odd name but wheatgrass could be a powerful addition to your supplemental regiment. See what wheatgrass has to offer and you may be on the next line for a daily ‘wheatgrass shot’.

The Wheatgrass Inception

There are links to early Mesopotamian civilizations (over 5000 years ago) stating the positive effects of wheatgrass on people’s health and vitality.

Wheatgrass was studied in the 1930s by a young chemist named Charles F. Schnabel who used it as an experiment to help dying chickens. Schnabel reported that the chickens fully recovered and also produced more eggs than chickens not taking wheatgrass.

Schnabel dried and powdered the grass to distribute to chicken farmers as well as chemists and the food industry. Friends and family started taking it and the healing began.

Remedy Pluses

Several small wheatgrass studies have been conducted since Schnabel’s research. Although some analyses refutes the beneficial effects, debating studies along with personal accounts prove otherwise.

Some of the potential benefits of wheatgrass when consumed daily are:

• Cell oxygenation
• Increase in stamina
• Reduction of the growth and development of harmful bacteria
• Purifying the liver
• Blood sugar regulation
• Ridding the body of heavy metals
• May relieve arthritis, constipation and skin eruptions.
• Assists in strengthening the immune system
• Overall well-being

The Makeup

Wheatgrass is the harvest of young green shoots before they bud into wheat. Because no wheat is formed it does not contain gluten. It can be grown just about anywhere, either outdoors or indoors and is easily juiced in a special extractor.

Wheatgrass can be found in liquid ‘shot’ form; powder to add to a beverage such as a smoothie; or taken in capsule form. Trays of wheatgrass can be purchased for home extraction as well.

Down It Goes

Maintaining a daily protocol of this green juice could be your best health addition yet. Wheatgrass should be consumed on an empty stomach and allowed to be absorbed for about half an hour before eating. Take 1 oz of wheatgrass per day to start and then two ounces (1 morning, 1 night) after a few weeks. If nausea occurs, consume other juices to remedy and reduce your wheatgrass intake. Talk to your doctor about this supplement before using.

It Tastes Like Grass

Yup, it can taste a little like grass, however when your taste buds acclimate to this superfood most report that it becomes slightly sweet and enjoyable. However, adding it to a morning drink easily masks it.

Wheatgrass contains high amounts of chlorophyll which some believe acts like hemoglobin in the blood. Hemoglobin is responsible for transporting life giving oxygen throughout the system. The more oxygen that is utilized by the body, the more healing capabilities can be implemented.

Wheatgrass is also, “…high in vitamins A, B, C, and E, as well as many amino acids, such as lysine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine.” (Illinois State University)

Conclusions from Wheatgrass Studies

There are always those who refute what they assume is a useless fad and wheatgrass has been known to fall in their crosshairs. Yet, combined with ancient civilization use, conclusions of these small studies have found some incredible connections to this simple plant.

“Wheat grass juice appeared effective and safe as a single or adjuvant treatment of active distal UC [ulcerative colitis].” (Dept. of Family Medicine, The Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, The Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa)

“The results in 348 patients…were significant improvements in hemoglobin, total protein and albumin levels,…The authors concluded that wheatgrass juice is an excellent alternative to blood transfusion.” (Journal of Clinical Oncology 2006)

“Wheatgrass juice, when taken along with chemotherapy, helped maintain healthier levels of blood cells and reduced the need for additional supportive medications.” (Nutrition and Cancer 2007)

Try wheatgrass for 21 days (the protocol for any new addition or kicked addiction) and see if it brings you to healthier heights.