Why Wheatgrass is good for you

Wheatgrass, is a gluten free food derived from the cotyledons of the common wheat plant. Commonly sold as juice or powder concentrate.

Like most plants it has chlorophyll, amino acids, minerals, vitamins and enzymes.

Over the years, it has gained popularity for its amazing health benefits as a supplemental nutrition with unique properties.

Now accessible all over the world, you can access it in juice bars and even directly in the kitchen as some consumers like myself grow and juice wheatgrass at home.

Also, it can be purchased as fresh produce, frozen juice, powder or tablets.

If you must know, it is not a new wave or passing fad, in the healthy living world. Its consumption began in the 1930s. Pioneered by Charles Schnabel, known as “The Father of Wheatgrass“.

Charles Schnabel, a former “feed mill” chemist, wanted an opportunity to test “feed” products that he developed through his research.

Targeting animals and human consumption, his aim was to process young grass shoots from Wheat, Barley and Rye crops. As a dietary supplement that would provide unique health benefits derived from chlorophyll.

He argued, cereal grasses, in certain soils, were not suitable for providing high quality nutritional benefits in varied stages. Suggesting the use of favourable soil that provides nutritional wheatgrass shoots. As he grew it, he used his family to test on the benefits as a practical food supplement.

Reportedly, they never suffered from any serious illness or tooth decay. Excited about his discovery, he wanted to spread the nutritional value far and wide. This was how we came to have canned wheatgrass. Sold as canned powder, it was on sale in every major drug store across America and Canada.

Next in line was Ann Wigmore. A Lithuanian American holistic health practitioner and raw food advocate. She picked up from Charles and became an advocate for wheatgrass.

Ann stated that wheatgrass as a raw food diet, is capable of detoxifying the body and provide a proper balance of nutrients as a whole food and treat various ailments.

SCIENTIFIC STUDIES

1. ULCERATIVE COLITIS TREATMENT WITH WHEATGRASS

In a scientific study on ulcerative colitis, a few researchers sought to find alternative methods of solving the problem. An inflammatory disorder in the colon which is clinically challenging to cure.

They used random double blind placebo controlled trial as their method of research. For one month, they gave 23 patients with active ulcerative colitis 100 ml of wheatgrass juice daily.

Then they evaluated the efficiency of their treatment by examining the disease activity index, bleeding feces, number of bowel movements, sigmoidoscopic evaluation and global assessment.

Patients treated with wheatgrass juice, showed significant reductions in disease activity index and severity of rectal bleeding. Contrary to those who received the double blind placebo.

2. Supportive Care Of Terminally ill Cancer Patients

A different research, conducted by different people this time, selected 400 organ cancer patients. They wanted to study how wheatgrass improves the haemoglobin level, serum protein and performance status on terminally ill cancer patients.

They selected an age range of patients between 22 to 87 years old. Then they picked different types of cancers. Such as:

1. Lung cancer 25%
2. Breast cancer 20%
3. Oesophagus cancer 11%
4. Colon cancer 9%
5. Ovarian cancer 8%
6. Hepatocellular carcinoma 6%
7. Stomach 6%
8. Others 15%

They grew their own wheatgrass in their campus. After 5 days, they took the fresh leaves and included the roots. Extracting fresh juice out of them, they gave 30ml of juice to all their 400 cancer patients for 6 months.

Fifty two patients were eliminated because of the need for transfusion support and thus were excluded from the study. The rest were evaluated for 6 months after receiving wheatgrass juice.

They found the values for haemoglobin, total protein and albumin to have improved significantly. White blood cells and platelet count also improved. Their performance status was increased from 50% to 70% after the treatment.

Wheatgrass juice was found to be an effective alternative of blood transfusion and in treating terminally ill cancer patients.

How to grow wheatgrass at home

From my personal experience, it is not that difficult to cultivate your own wheatgrass. All you need is organic wheat berries, quality soil, light and water. There are actually people who grow wheatgrass without the soil.

Take the wheat berry and soak it in water for 48 hours. Rinse it thoroughly every 12 hours during this period. After two days, bury your wheat berry about an 1/8 inch in the soil and sprits water on it. Then place your plantation in a place where it can access adequate light. Preferably natural light. It will look like this when it’s ready.

If you don’t have soil, look for a tray. Index finger deep with several holes for drainage. Get a clean medium that is difficult to be moldy when wet and spread it on your tray. Place your soaked berries over the evenly layered medium. Spritz some water on top of your wheat and medium. Cover it with a plastic bag and ensure its around good temperature and light. Spritz water daily during the waiting process.

From various studies, I concluded its best to harvest it after a week or at least 5 days. Other people say, when its up to 8inches tall.

Don’t let the top part of the grass turn brown. Everything should be green and very healthy looking (for lack of a better description). When left for too long, you’ll notice that the top part of the grass turns brown. The grass begins to thin and weaken. Don’t let it get to that point. Because it will not be nutritionally powerful as it has the potential to be.

This is how my harvest looked like…

How to Make Wheatgrass

I was using a normal juicer and it was so challenging, the juicer got stuck a number of times. You know, I am not accustomed to pressing wheatgrass by myself. Usually I buy my wheatgrass in powder form and take a tablespoon every other day in a glass of water.

I expected this process to be the same as juicing a fruit or vegetable. Shock on me!! It was a learning experience and I was happy I made the mistake. At least I now know how to use a normal juicer to juice wheatgrass.

I learned that, you first of all soak the wheatgrass in water. Take the wheatgrass and create tiny balls and set them aside. These balls are what you place in the juicer to make the auger’s job easier.

If you directly place them in the juicer, it will not work. In my first experience with a normal juicer, after 1 or 2 mins the juicer would get stuck. Imagine how many times I got panic attacks while at it!

Otherwise, wheatgrass has a special traditional juicer, built specifically for extracting juice out of wheat, barley and rye grass. It looks like the image you see below:

Since I figured how to use a normal juicer. I can tell you unless you want to be proper, you don’t need this.

Another way to make wheatgrass juice is through the blender. You take the amount of harvested wheatgrass you want to use. Put it in a blender and add a glass of water or coconut water. Blend. When its totally blended, sieve the mixture with a cheese cloth or strainer. Chug it up! It’s not complicated.

Wheatgrass Recipes To Try

2 Green Apples

Wheatgrass

Whole Lemon with either of this Orange/Pear/Tangerine

A good thick chunk of Ginger and or a clove of garlic/turmeric root.

Juice/Blend everything together.

Serve your shot of wheatgrass and take it immediately. Remember not to exceed a shot glass. I tried a whole glass of fresh pressed wheatgrass and I think its not something I’d recommend for beginners.

It was so strong, It felt like my entire system was being vacuum cleaned with continuous bowel movements! At some point I even threw up and started calling Jesus to my rescue in case I over performed.

I realised nothing was wrong with the juice. I just shouldn’t have eaten as much the night before. Anyway I am grateful I had a great cleanse and hydrated a lot throughout the day.

Sometimes a clove of garlic, even turmeric, to this recipe, is not bad at all. If you’re up for a proper cleanse. In my opinion, the best wheatgrass recipe revolves around the aforementioned four ingredients. Sometimes you can eliminate either or have them all in your wheatgrass shot plan. You decide. Just have fun.

If it’s impossible to juice or blend, do your research and get wheatgrass powder instead. I usually rotate between 2 brands that I trust and have been using for a long time. Find what works for you and follow the instructions on the package.

Health Benefits of Wheatgrass You Need to Know

1. Wheatgrass is rich in Chlorophyll and is scientifically proven to build red blood cells quickly. This makes it the fastest cure for Anemia. Also the best treatment for normalising blood pressure because it dilates the blood vessels.
2. Wheatgrass is great for gut health. This is because it provides a favorable environment for good bacteria growth in the body. Making it effective in increasing body resistance to illness. The better your gut health, the better your brain will perform and vice versa.
3. Wheatgrass is the most effective Nutraceutical when it comes to fighting and treating cancer. Many people have given testimonies. Research also shows that, the benefits of wheatgrass on cancer are real. Consuming wheatgrass can help treat and even prevent it.
4. Wheatgrass prevents and treats diabetes because it raises insulin levels and lowers blood glucose. Through its anti-inflammatory superpower, it reduces as well the side effects of diabetes.
5. Wheatgrass is perfect for teeth remineralisation and a great alternative from Coconut oil pulling. It whitens teeth and restores them.
6. Wheatgrass is known for slowing graying hair. (Though I don’t see a problem with this if its happening in the right age gap).
7. Gives a better complexion and healthy glow because of its richness in Vitamins A, C and E.
8. Produces an immunization effect against many dietary carcinogens.
9. Wheatgrass is the highest in Chlorophyll and flavonoids when it comes to green superfoods.
10. Wheatgrass contains all the essential amino acids. Alanine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, arginine and serine. All these are helpful in providing a good amount of protein in the body. Helping to build and repair muscle tissues.
11. Wheatgrass contains essential enzymes like protease, cytochrome, amylase, lipase, transhydrogenase and super oxide dismutase. These enzymes heal inflammation, ease arthritis pain, reduce symptoms related to IBS and improve digestive functions.
12. Rich in Iron, Calcium, Zinc, B12 and Magnesium.
13. Heals skin issues like Psoriasis, Eczema and Acne
14. Reduces stress, anxiety and heals depression.
15. Perfect for weight loss.

CONCLUSION

We give thanks and all the glory to God. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”. Without His lovingkindness, foreknowledge and wisdom, there wouldn’t be scientists to conduct researches or wheatgrass itself.

The wheatgrass is useless irregardless of what it offers, if He is not involved in our pursuit to be a better version. He is literally the alpha and omega. Nothing begins or ends without Him and to get more benefits from your health endeavours, Exodus 23:25 says “And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and He shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and will take sickness away from the midst of thee”.

Otherwise, use your willpower and better judgement through prayer, to collect and eat only the foods which are best for you, regardless of the ridicule and gibes of your frienemies, friends or acquaintances.

Cheers!