Contents:
Common Names | Parts Usually Used | Plant(s) & Culture | Where Found | Medicinal Properties | Biochemical Information
Uses | Formulas or Dosages | Nutrient Content | How Sold | Warning | Resource Links
Scientific Names
- Triticum aestivum
- Triticum firmum
- Triticum repens
Common Names
- Wheatgrass
- Agropyre
- Blé en Herbe
- Brote del Trigo
- Couchgrass
- Dog Grass
- Durfa Grass
- Elytrigia repens
- Herbe de Blé
- Quack Grass
- Scotch Quelch
- Witch Grass
Parts Usually Used
The young shoots, typically harvested 7-10 days after sprouting when they reach about 18-22 cm tall.
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Description of Plant(s) and Culture
Wheatgrass is the young grass of the common wheat plant Triticum aestivum. It’s a thick, dry grass that looks like hay or straw but is bright green. It contains approximately 70% chlorophyll, which gives it its distinctive green color. Wheatgrass is typically grown indoors in trays, though it can also be grown outdoors. The grass develops slowly for the first 7 days before growing rapidly during the next 12-15 days, reaching optimal nutritional content at 12-15 days after sprouting.
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Where Found
Wheatgrass is native to Asia and the Mediterranean, but it’s grown worldwide. It’s primarily cultivated indoors for medicinal purposes, though farmers also grow it for animals to eat.
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Medicinal Properties
Wheatgrass possesses numerous therapeutic properties, including:
- Antioxidant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-bacterial
- Anti-microbial
- Anti-fungal
- Anti-cancer
- Anti-diabetic
- Hepatoprotective (liver protective)
- Immunomodulatory
- Detoxifying
- Anti-ulcer
- Anti-arthritis
- Blood-building (hematopoietic)
- Lipid-lowering
- Digestive aid
- Neuroprotective
Biochemical Information
Wheatgrass contains a rich array of bioactive compounds:
Vitamins:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
- B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B4, B6, B9, B10, B12)
Minerals:
- Iron
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Selenium
- Zinc
- Copper
- Sodium
- Manganese
Enzymes:
- Superoxide dismutase
- Cytochrome oxidase
- Protease
- Amylase
- Lipase
- Transhydrogenase
Phytochemicals:
- Chlorophyll (about 70% of each sprout)
- Flavonoids (including apigenin, luteolin, quercetin)
- Phenolic compounds
- Alkaloids
- Tannins
- Saponins
- Abscisic acid
- Lignans
- Bioflavonoids
Amino Acids:
- 17 amino acids, including all essential amino acids
- Arginine, aspartic acid, glutamine, lysine, serine, threonine, etc.
Uses
- Dietary supplement as a concentrated source of nutrients
- Added to smoothies, juices, and beverages for nutritional benefits
- Used in salad dressings
- Added to dips like hummus or guacamole
- Incorporated into soups
- Used in cocktails or mocktails
- Occasionally added to chocolate truffles or cupcake frosting
- Used as a natural mouthwash
- Applied topically for certain skin conditions and wounds
- Used in Ayurvedic medicine for various ailments
Anti-Cancer Properties
Several studies have demonstrated wheatgrass’s potential anti-cancer effects:
- Slows the growth of cancer cells and may help kill cancer cells
- Inhibits oral squamous cell cancer and colon cancer cell growth
- Contains antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase that help fight free radicals
- May increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy while reducing side effects
- Reduces the risk of myelotoxicity (bone marrow suppression) during chemotherapy
- Contains abscisic acid that can neutralize cancer-causing fragments
- May have anti-metastatic potential by inhibiting angiogenesis
Blood Disorders
Wheatgrass has shown particular promise for treating blood disorders:
- May help patients with β-thalassemia by increasing hemoglobin levels
- Can reduce the need for blood transfusions in thalassemia patients
- May increase intervals between blood transfusions
- The structural similarity between chlorophyll and hemoglobin may contribute to its blood-building properties
Digestive Health
Wheatgrass offers several benefits for the digestive system:
- Contains enzymes that aid digestion and nutrient absorption
- High fiber content promotes gut health
- May help treat ulcerative colitis by reducing disease activity and rectal bleeding
- Has anti-ulcer properties
- Contains beneficial compounds that may help prevent colorectal cancer
- Aids in detoxification and may reduce bloating, gas, and stomach upset
Anti-Diabetic Effects
Wheatgrass shows promise in managing diabetes:
- May help regulate blood sugar levels
- Contains natural fibers and bioactive compounds that help maintain blood glucose
- May increase insulin levels in diabetic patients
- Contains phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and saponins with anti-diabetic properties
Cardiovascular Benefits
Wheatgrass may support heart health in several ways:
- May lower total cholesterol and triglycerides
- Can increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels
- Contains calcium and potassium to maintain electrolyte balance in the heart
- May reduce blood pressure by dilating blood vessels
- Contains arabinoxylans that inhibit cholesterol absorption in the intestine
Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects
Wheatgrass possesses powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties:
- Contains vitamins C, E, and glutathione with antioxidant properties
- Helps neutralize free radicals, reducing oxidative stress
- May benefit conditions like arthritis and ulcerative colitis
- Contains chlorophyll with anti-inflammatory effects
- May reduce chronic inflammation through flavonoids and phenolic compounds
Detoxification
Wheatgrass is known for its detoxifying capabilities:
- Chlorophyll acts as a natural body cleanser
- Helps neutralize and remove toxins from the body
- May aid in removing heavy metals from the bloodstream
- Contains choline that promotes fatty acid transportation and prevents fat accumulation in the liver
Other Benefits
- May improve cognitive function and have neuroprotective properties
- Helps in wound healing through chlorophyllin’s antimicrobial properties
- Has prebiotic potential due to complex carbohydrates and fibers
- May help prevent and treat dental issues like pyorrhea and tooth decay
- May be beneficial for skin conditions through anti-inflammatory properties
Formulas or Dosages
- Fresh juice: 1-2 oz (30-60 ml) shot daily, either on its own or added to smoothies
- Powder: 1 tablespoon daily mixed with water, juice, or smoothies
- Tablets/capsules: As directed on the package (typically 500-1000 mg daily)
- For ulcerative colitis: 100 ml of wheatgrass juice daily
- For blood disorders: 100 ml daily for extended periods (up to 18 months) or tablets containing 1-4 grams daily
Nutrient Content
A 1-oz shot of wheatgrass juice contains:
- Calories: 5
- Protein: 0 grams
- Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 0 grams
- Fiber: 0 grams
- Sugar: 0 grams
Wheatgrass powder (per 100g) contains:
- Moisture: 6.30g
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 0.9g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Dietary fiber: 30g
- Ash: 4.80g
- Chlorophyll: 513.50mg
How Sold
Wheatgrass is available in several forms:
- Fresh juice
- Fresh wheatgrass (for home juicing)
- Frozen juice
- Powder
- Tablets/capsules
- Wheatgrass shots at juice bars
- Fermented wheatgrass drink (avemar)
Warning
- May cause mild side effects such as nausea, headache, and digestive discomfort, especially when first starting
- More serious allergic reactions (hives, throat swelling) are rare but possible
- Risk of contamination with bacteria or mold, especially in home-grown wheatgrass
- Should be avoided by pregnant and nursing women, young children, and people with weakened immune systems due to risk of contamination
- People with wheat or grass allergies should avoid wheatgrass
- Those with gluten sensitivity should ensure their wheatgrass comes from a certified gluten-free producer
- Should not be used as a substitute for conventional medical treatment
- May lower blood sugar, so diabetics should monitor blood sugar levels carefully
- May interact with some medications, including blood thinners and diabetes medications
Resource Links
Boost Your Health with Medicinal Herb Sprouts and Microgreens
WebMD – Health Benefits of Wheatgrass
HealthLine – Wheatgrass Benefits: 8 Reasons to Enjoy
WebMD – Wheatgrass – Uses, Side Effects, and More
Medical News Today – What are the benefits of wheatgrass?
Cleveland Clinic – Is Wheatgrass Worth the Hype? 7 Benefits
ScienceDirect – Wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum): a miraculous microgreen: an overview
AANMC – Naturopathic Kitchen: Wheatgrass
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center – Wheat grass Purported Benefits, Side Effects & More
