Wheatgrass or gehu ke jaware is plant grown from common wheat grains. It can be said to be Sanjivini (One that gives life). It is green blood filled with all the nutrients that human body requires and is considered a complete food. It contains vitamins A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Vitamin K, calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, sodium, sulfur and 17 forms of amino acids. It can be used by person of any age. Regular use of it increases immunity and makes one healthy.
Wheatgrass juice became popular in US in 1960 and 1970s, by Dr. Ann Wigmore of Boston, the well-known naturopath and founder of The Hippocrates Health Institute. Dr. Wigmore discovered the health benefits of wheatgrass juice which she consumed daily due to her poor health. Dr. Wigmore points out wheatgrass juice is effective in the treatment of disease as it provides body necessary live minerals, vitamins, trace elements, chlorophyll which helps body to repair itself.
Wheatgrass is available in market as juice, dried juice concentrate, leaf powder and even in the form of pills. But the best form is freshly squeezed juice.
Wheat grass juice is highly concentrated nectar of chlorophyll, amino acids, active enzymes, vitamin and other nutrients that helps body to fight better against diseases. This juice is a boon and recognised as medicine all over the World. Wheatgrass juice nourishes the whole body and works on many organs. Wheat grass juice therapy is recommended for people suffering from chronic diseases such as arthritis, joint pain, asthma, atherosclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, constipation, high blood pressure, Diabetes, Insomnia, Eczema, infertility, bleeding disorders and other chronic diseases. It is also useful in the treatment of cancer.
Major chemical constituents Of Wheatgrass
These are constituents present in wheatgrass that help to maintain health and cures diseases.
Vitamins and minerals: Vitamins A, B1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, and 12, Vitamin C, E and K; ascorbic acid, dehydrated ascorbic acid, carotene, sulfur, sodium, alumenium, copper, calcium, iodine, phosphorus, magnesium, alkaline earth metal, potassium, selenium, Iron, Zinc, boran and molybdenum.
Enzymes: Protease, amylase, lypase, cytochrome oxidase, transhydrogenase, superoxide dismutase
Other components: Amino acids such as aspartic acid, threonine, asparagines, glutamine, proline, glycine, arginine, alanine, valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, lysine, histidine, tryptophan and serine, P4D1 (gluco-protein), muco-polysaccharides, and chlorophyll, bioflavonides like apigenin, quercitin and luteonin, indole compounds, choline and laetrile (amygdalin).
Health Benefits of Wheat Grass Juice
Wheatgrass juice is highly beneficial for health. Though it is bitter and not palatable but think about its health benefits. It is a medicine that removes the toxins and at the same time nourishes the body for better fight against diseases.
Wheatgrass is blood purifier. Blood purifiers helps body to get rid of the toxins that accumulate in the body over the time. These toxins can be result of by products produced in the body itself, pollutants, chemicals, pesticides, food preservatives, dyes, virus, bacteria or any foreign substance. Although blood is able to clean itself but sometimes these toxins reaches to dangerous level and then it becomes necessary to detoxify body though some aid. Accumulation of large amount of toxin makes blood impure and causes many diseases such as skin diseases, boils, allergies, arthritis, and many other serious chronic diseases. Blood purifier are not cure for the diseases but cleaning the body helps better control over diseases and improvement of the whole body system. For blood purification, kidney, the liver and lymphatic system works together. Wheatgrass juice purifies blood, detoxifies the liver and also cleanses colon.
As Wheatgrass juice detoxifies the body it is a great remedy for chronic skin diseases. This juice improves digestion and cures constipation.
Wheatgrass is highly concentrated in chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is the green pigment of leaves and beneficial for human body as it is a good source of antioxidant nutrients. Antioxidant nutrients such as vitamins A, C and E help to neutralize harmful molecules (free radicals) in the body that can cause damage to healthy cells. On oral intake chlorophyll stimulates the immune system, cures anemia, purifies blood, prevents diseases, detoxifies the liver, rejuvenate and energize the body. Chlorophyll rebuilds the bloodstream and some study show the red cell count was returned to normal within 4 to 5 days of the administration of chlorophyll in severely anaemic study animals. The presence of 70% chlorophyll, which is almost chemically identical to haemoglobin, in wheat grass makes it more useful in various clinical conditions involving haemoglobin deficiency and other chronic disorders.
Wheat grass is complete food providing all the nutrients than provided by any other foods. It contains various essential and non-essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll, and enzymes. It is reported that 15 pounds of wheatgrass is equal in overall nutritional value to 350 pounds of ordinary garden vegetables.
Wheatgrass juice is highly beneficial in Ulcerative colitis due to richness in bioflavonoid which are believed to possess both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
All plant contain chlorophyll. But chlorophyll extracted from wheatgrass is superior because it has been found to contain about 100 elements needed by human.
Wheatgrass is complete super food rich in vitamins, active enzymes, minerals, chlorophyll and dietary fiber.
It is source of energy, boosts immunity, improves blood circulation, cures lethargy, and useful in variety of chronic diseases. It is good for the digestive system, respiratory system, circulatory system and reproductive system. It improves fertility. Wheatgrass juice enhance the overall health and functioning of blood cells, muscles, bones, and teeth, kidneys, the liver, and spleen. Wheatgrass juice also has potent blood pressure lowering properties.
Growing Wheatgrass At Home
Here is given method to grow wheatgrass at home. It is very easy to do and requires wheat, rich soil and few pots(tray). For continuous supply of wheatgrass you need to grow it in many pots. First prepare many pots and sow the seeds day after day.
- Fill pots with soil mixed with natural organic manure. Do not use any chemical fertiliser. If grown in organic soil, wheatgrass absorbs 92 of the known 102 minerals from the soil.
- Next day sow the wheat in second pot and similarly make many other pots by sowing on third, fourth, fifth day and so on.
- Water plants once in a day. When plants starts growing reduce watering and put them in sun shine. Wheat plant grows up to 7 inch in nine days. It is the best time to use wheat grass because as they grow further nutritional value decreases.
How To Use Wheatgrass?
Following is given how to extract wheatgrass juice from plants. The freshly squeezed juice is best compared to any other form of wheatgrass such as powder, tablet, etc.
- To use wheatgrass, pull the plant from soil and wash thoroughly to remove dirt and soil.
- Ground the plants and sieve through cotton cloth. Collect the juice.
- Drink juice immediately. For better result it is recommended to use it in morning empty stomach.
Please note
- Vomiting may happen to remove toxin from the body so do not panic in that case.
- Ginger, honey can also be added to wheat grass to enhance taste.
- Never add lemon juice or salt to juice but mint leaves can be added.
- Wheatgrass can be used directly by just washing and chewing.
- You may drink juice 2 to 3 times a day. When using this juice for incurable diseases add 25 ml giloy juice in 10 gm of wheat grass juice and drink 1 cup juice empty stomach regularly.
Dosage information
The recommended dose of wheatgrass for normal health maintenance is 30 ml-100 ml per day and for curative purpose 120 ml-230 ml per day. Always drink empty stomach and do not eat anything for next fifty minutes. As it is strong detoxifier so start with a low dose and gradually increase the amount. Wheatgrass has laxative effects and high dose may cause loose motions. Nausea is also common in a high dose. Due to these few reasons, for the treatment of some diseases, wheatgrass juice is administered in the body rectally.
Wheat grass juice is highly beneficial for health and does not have any toxic effect on the body. Taste of wheatgrass juice can be improved by adding different flavours.
Wheat grass can be used as preventive and curative medicine and as a health supplement. It is inexpensive and easily available. Many clinical studies affirms the therapeutic value of wheatgrass and show its beneficial effect in diseases such as diabetes mellitus, anemia, ulcers, arthritis, cancer, thalassemia and several others.