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 During
the mid 1930s, prior to the consumption of wheatgrass by humans
as a healing remedy, dairy scientists at the University of Wisconsin
noted a remarkable seasonal variation in the nutritional content
of milk produced by cows when they had access to wheatgrass in their
diet versus when they did not. Subsequently, intensive research
began on what was later termed "the grass juice factor."
During
the late 1960s, Ann Wigmore brought wheatgrass to international
recognition as a potent healing remedy. In 1968, she founded the
Hippocrates Health Institute in Boston, Massachusetts, following
in the footsteps of her grandmother who used wheat and barley grass
juices to treat injured soldiers during World War I.
What
is wheatgrass?
Plant
biologists have discovered that two to three-week old sprouts (mature
wheatgrass) contain an enormous concentration of chlorophyll. Chlorophyll
is the green pigment in plants crucial to converting the sun's energy
into carbohydrates by photosynthesis. It is a tetrapyrrole, defined
as four rings of carbon and nitrogen atoms coordinated by a magnesium
atom (termed a magnesium porphyrin, analogous to heme which is an
iron porphyrin).
What
does wheatgrass do?
Chlorophyll
is thought to act as a "body cleanser," neutralizing toxins
such as carbon monoxide by many mechanisms. Wheatgrass is also one
of the richest sources of vitamins A, B, and C. It is a source for
calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, sulfur,
cobalt, zinc, and protein.
 Chlorophyll
has been shown to inhibit some carcinogens by cleansing and detoxifying
the circulatory and digestive systems. The high content of chlorophyll
and vitamins helps aid in digestion as well, and gives the blood
iron, which increases red blood cell production.
Wheatgrass
aficionados will typically swish the juice around in their mouth
before swallowing it, as it is said to act immediately by drawing
out toxins from the gums and teeth, and on occasion relieving sore
throats with its potential nutritional and detoxifying properties.
Wheatgrass
juice enemas are used by some brave souls to detoxify and cleanse
the colon walls. Wheatgrass also has the effect of being a laxative,
which is beneficial in a case of constipation. Wheatgrass contains
three essential elements to help deal with elimination (regular
and healthy bowel movements): fiber, which is crucial for proper
waste and toxin elimination; chlorophyll, which is an excellent
purifier; and vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Wheatgrass
can be used as an external cleanser as well because of its capacity
to neutralize harmful inorganic molecules. Some claim that the pesticides
which may be in non-organic fruits and vegetables, as well as toxic
metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, aluminum and copper can be
successfully removed with small amounts of wheatgrass juice and
rinse water. .
If
I'm allergic to wheat, will I have a reaction to wheatgrass?
It's
very unlikely that if you are allergic to wheat, that you will have
a reaction to wheatgrass. Wheat allergies are usually a reaction
to the gluten found in the wheat berry. Wheatgrass is a vegetable,
cut before the wheat plant forms the grain and the gluten found
in the wheat berry. Therefore, wheatgrass contains no gluten.
Where
can you get wheatgrass?
Wheatgrass
is internationally available, and may be found at most local juice
bars or health foods stores.
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