Wheatgrass

Parts Usually Used

The young shoots, typically harvested 7-10 days after sprouting when they reach about 18-22 cm tall.

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.

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.

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

Historically, wheatgrass was incorporated into diets as a concentrated source of nutrients and was blended into juices, smoothies, soups, salad dressings, and dips. It was also utilized in confectionery, such as frostings and truffles, and in beverages. In Ayurvedic medicine and various folk traditions, practitioners administered wheatgrass for a wide array of ailments. Herbalists historically utilized the plant as a natural mouthwash and for oral health concerns like pyorrhea and tooth decay.

Topically, preparations were applied to the skin with the intention of soothing certain dermatological conditions and promoting the healing of minor wounds. Proponents of traditional natural medicine also valued wheatgrass for digestive support, believing it assisted in detoxification, addressed stomach upset, bloating, and gas, and eased chronic gut inflammation such as ulcerative colitis and ulcers.

Additionally, it was traditionally employed with the belief that it supported cardiovascular function, assisted in regulating blood sugar levels, and provided blood-building properties, as well as being utilized by herbal practitioners seeking to reduce general inflammation and joint discomfort associated with arthritis.

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)