I always wondered why people consumed grass when they can easily consume leafy vegetables. Especially when it came to wheat grass, I was bewildered. I am not a person who follows fads and trends but with so many people consuming it, I had to search it up to see what it was. I came across facts and benefits of using it and then decided it myself that I would give it a try.
Wheatgrass is the young growing plant of wheat seed. It is consumed at a stage where it still in the phase of fresh leaf buds. Wheat grass being tough to digest is usually churned, crushed and squeezed to take out the juice. Some people choose to dry the leaves up, making a powder, encapsulating it and then using it for the illimitable benefits it has.
Wheat grass was discovered in 1930 by Charles F. Schnabel when he first used it on his sick chickens. It was then he realized of its benefits by treating his family. In 1968 Dr. Ann Wigmore brought its benefits to the face of public. It became so popular that it is one of most common fads being followed now days.
Here are some benefits I have mentioned to get your votes in favor of Wheatgrass:
- Benefits people having a risk of cancer, menopause, liver and intestinal diseases.
- As claimed by a blogger, they control the graying of hair.
- Improves the odor of the mouth, maintaining oral hygiene.
- Prevents tooth decay.
- Remineralizes the teeth.
- Gargle when you have a sore throat. It is an anti-septic.
- It is very effective in treating skin problems like eczema, psoriasis and acne.
- Used for treating never-ending issue of dandruff.
- Helps preventing elevated blood pressure.
- Has high fiber content.
- Good for the gastrointestinal tract.
- Good for the liver by preventing hepatotoxicity.
- Is a great antioxidant.
- Has a less caloric value.
- Monitors the glucose level of the body keeping them towards minimal.
- Tightens skin and reduces skin sagging.
- Improves Hemoglobin production.
- Has a lot of Vitamins, minerals and proteins.
- Is Gluten free!
So with the wheatgrass, you have a win win situation. It’s just the taste you’ll have to adjust with at first, once you get a hang of it; it is going to be your favorite refreshing juice for the summers.
Mentioned below are some points on how you can use Wheatgrass:
17. It Is Gluten Free!
Let me repeat it for you again. Yes, Wheatgrass is Gluten free. Its leaves are used in making refreshing juices to beat up hot, scorching heat of the sun. It has high water content so it is good for hydration. It is a great detoxifying agent when it is compared with carrot, apple or other fruit juices. The wheat berry is a good source of instant energy as it broken down into smaller molecules of sugar very easily. This juice is recommended to athletes as they need a quick power booster before the race.
To make Wheatgrass juice, here is the method:
- Take some shoots of Wheatgrass; place them in a blender mixing at low speed till the mixture attains a thin watery consistency.
- Now strain the pulp out, collecting the juice in a container.
- Wheatgrass is bitter in taste so it is better if you mix it with some fruit juices or make smoothies.
If you want to make Wheatgrass shot Green Pineapple Smoothie, here’s the recipe:
- Take about half a cup of grapes, ½ a shot of fresh Wheatgrass (powdered form of Wheatgrass will also work), ½ a cup of peaches, ½ a cup of pineapples and about 4 ounces of chilled drinking water.
- Blend these together in a blender, adding 2 to 3 ice cubes while mixing the contents.
- Pout these out in mason jars, garnishing them with a slice or two of pineapples on the side of the jar.
- Your healthy and nutritious smoothie is ready!
16. Improves The Sense Of Well Being
There are many naturally occurring products that are healthy for the human body. Wheatgrass being one of them is popular in the world for its never ending benefits. Immunogenic property of the grass prepares the body for upcoming illnesses. As Wheatgrass is known to boost up the immunity, people practicing folk medicine use it to treat various ailments.
We all know a healthy body is the one that has the capability to combat infective agents. The chlorophyll present in the shoots of the plant neutralizes toxins in the body. It also is known to remove heavy metals from our body. Thus it is safe to declare that Wheatgrass can be used without fear of harm or adverse effects.
15. Looking For a New Deodorant? Try Wheatgrass This Time
I always wanted to treat my skin with the best beauty products available having minimal amount of chemicals. After coming across the benefits of Wheatgrass, I found the perfect replacement. I thought of experimenting by starting with the deodorants. I searched for years struggling with the body odor issues I had since the start of puberty. I tried everything ranging from perfumed deodorants, talcum powders, waxing my underarms, taking regular baths, an hour of exercise daily and what not! None of them were as effective as I wanted them to be.
A few months back I came across Wheatgrass capsules at a drugstore. After taking them for about 2 weeks I noticed that my sweat does not have this utterly mortifying smell. The capsules did a detergent action in the body and beat up the unbearable stench the sweat had. It did a detoxifying act in my body, cleansing my system making me feel fresh and lively all over again.
You can make a deodorant in any combination with wheat grass. Try ‘Wheatgrass and Manuka Deodorant’ at home and notice the difference. Here’s how you can make one:
- You’ll need organic Wheatgrass, Wild crafted Manuka and Virgin Coconut oil.
- Mix the essence of organic wheatgrass, Manuka and Coconut oil all together.
- Shake it and place it in an empty but previously washed roll-on bottle.
- You’ll be enjoying the sweet fragrance throughout the day, feeling fresh.
14. Restores Fertility
Who does not want kids after getting married? I’m sure most of us are planning to have at least a child to fill the ever growing gap between couples but when it comes to conceiving, most of them get disappointed every month when the female gets her period. It is not because of infertility but because the environment in the body isn’t favorable for the sperms to race towards the ovum to fertilize it. The condition could be vice versa when the pH of the semen is too alkaline to make the sperms viable till they reach the vaginal fornix. It is a common practice of farmers of the Midwest to leave their infertile cows and bulls on wheatgrass fields. This then came to knowledge of people living in urban areas to use it as an agent to increase libido.
The chlorophyll present in the plant leaves has a high Magnesium content that regulates the sexual functions. It creates a mild alkaline medium for the sperms to stay viable in the vaginal walls or the situation could be reversed when it reduces the acidity of the vagina. Also the chlorophyll builds up enzymes that produce the sex hormones in the body. Couples trying to get pregnant should consider the use of Wheatgrass as an option.
13. Prevention Of Toothache
Toothache, a word enough to let goosebumps appear on our skin. We all have experienced this at some point or the other in our lives. The restless nights, the agitation and the mood swings experienced after that, I’m sure this is not only what I faced whenever I had a toothache. For those having toothache, consider me as a tooth-fairy when I tell you this, Wheatgrass prevents the reoccurrence of toothaches. I’m sure you might be thinking that this is a typo, but no. This is true.
Wheatgrass acts as an ANTIBIOTIC against the invading organism in the tooth or the gum. It prevents the bacterial and infective agents to penetrate the teeth which will erode the enamel, later the matrix and will damage the most sensitive part of the tooth, the tooth pulp.
- Wheatgrass also re-mineralizes your teeth. I promise it won’t turn your teeth green so gulp it down as fast as you can!
- Also, you’ll notice the complaint of bad breath going away as you start with Wheatgrass smoothies. This happens by the neutralizing the acidic pH of the mouth.
- I’m sure after reading all this you must be wondering about how you’ll be using Wheatgrass? Well here’s your answer.
- Take about 3 inch Wheatgrass leaves, cutting them from the plant.
- Rinse them with water and place them in the blender.
- Add up water and blend it till it is of the same consistency as the water itself.
- Use the juice you’ve prepared as an analgesic for toothache.
- You can also use the juice as a mouth wash. No need to buy them from the market now when you can easily make one yourself straight from the garden.
Remember, it is not only the Wheatgrass that is going to help get rid of the toothaches. Maintaining a good oral hygiene is must! Make a habit to brush your teeth every night and at least once throughout the day with a good Fluoride toothpaste. Floss at least once a day daily. Keep your sugar intake to the minimal for good oral environment and most importantly, visit your dentist every 3 months for a dental checkup.
12. Weight loss With Wheatgrass? Give It A Try!
We all want to lose an inch from here and there but with such busy routines, we all wonder if that is ever a possibility. With studies, careers, jobs and other hassles, taking out time for our self is really difficult. Gymming is a dream for most of us but as we get slaughtered by the approaching deadlines and the delaying assignments, we find alternatives to keep ourselves in shape or to lose weight without putting in much effort.
Wheatgrass helps you lose weight by suppressing the never ending cravings. Providing with all the nutrients, it does the job of a whole meal in two or three gulps. The leaves of the plant has chlorophyll, a pigment that gives the plants their characteristic color that removes all the unwanted cellular waste and toxins, providing us with the energy we require to do work. Also, it stimulates the Thyroid gland which then helps deal with obesity.
Wheatgrass also reduces the blood cholesterol level.
It is advisable to have a Wheatgrass supplement every morning on an empty stomach to reduce the chances of cravings.
A Fun Fact for you all, 2 ounces of Wheatgrass is the equivalent of having 4 pounds of green vegetables!! Imagine having a shot of smoothie twice a day, you’ll be slim in no time I’m sure!
11. Snowfall On The Head? Treat It With You Know What
“Oooh, I see some salt grains on your shirt. Wait, um no, it’s not salt. I think its dandruff.”
“Yes, it is dandruff”, he declares with a polite smile.
Having no option but to simply agree with people complain about you having dandruff, this is how the day usually starts.
Wheatgrass is known to help people with such issues. The grass being packed with an ample supply of nutrients and vitamins provides nourishment to the skin. People mix wheatgrass juice with their shampoo to see the result but you can try using the wheatgrass powder to make a mask and applying it on your scalp.
Here’s a mask you can try for good riddance of dandruff. The plus point of this hair mask is that you get rid of the grey hair!
- Trim wheatgrass up to 3 to 4 inches.
- Wash and grind them into fine powder.
- Now mix coconut oil with it, making it a lathery paste.
- Apply it over your scalp and leave it for 30 minutes.
- Wash it with warm water to see the results.
This hair mask promotes hair growth, treats alopecia, exfoliates the scalp, removes the dirt accumulated on the head and most importantly, it gets rid of graying hair.
I would recommend you to use it twice a week to see the results yourself.
You can also apply Wheatgrass juice on scalp, massaging it and covering your head using an old plastic cap for 15 min. This also helps eliminate dandruff.
10. Acne? Treat It With Wheatgrass
Acne is caused when the hair follicles are clogged by dirt, cell debris and excessive sebum from the skin. You often see blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, greasy skin and if you touch them, there are hundred percent charges of them leaving a scar on the beautiful face of yours.
Acne tends to give people depression, lowers the self esteem leaving people with lack of confidence to go to school, interact with people and posting a real unedited selfie on Instagram. I still skip a day or two from university if I get a big, fat pimple on the face. So treating acne with wheatgrass has always been my number one priority.
Having wheatgrass shots or making a mask to apply it on the money-maker, both help in treating acne.
Make wheatgrass and honey mask applying it on the face to see wonders.
Here’s what you’ll need to make a face mask:
- Around 1 ½ teaspoons of honey and 1teaspoon of wheatgrass.
- Mix them together and apply it on the face.
- Leave it for 10 to 20 minutes.
- Make sure you apply the mask well around the chin and jaw line. The mask tends to drip from here.
- Wash it off with warm water or use a warm towel to wipe it off, dabbing it to places to gently remove the mask.
- If you feel the skin a bit dry, apply what all Victoria’s Secret models apply on the skin, Coconut oil. This will give a little glow and will add up some butter on the face.
It is advisable to use it twice a week in summers, reducing it to about once fortnightly in winters.
9. Active Skin Cleanser
Not to brag more about wheatgrass but it also helps cleansing the face after a long tiring day of work. There are many products available in the market as skin cleansers but it would be nice if you treat your skin with as much organic products as possible. Wheatgrass being easily available and commonly used in beauty products can be utilized to pamper the skin.
- If you’re planning to have a long relaxing bath, add some wheatgrass juice in the tub before you hop in. Bathe in for about half an hour and wash your body off later with cold water. You’ll notice relatively softer skin at the end.
- Cleanse the skin if irritation, itching or burning occurs on a patch of your body. Soak a cotton pad and place it over the affected area. You’ll experience the tingling and burning sensation fading away sooner than you can think.
- There is a wide range of beauty products available of brands like The Body Shop having wheatgrass juice or extracts in them. It is better if you use them instead of other beauty products having harsh chemicals.
8. Treatment Of Anemia
Anemia is characterized by either the deficiency of RBCs or lack of Hemoglobin from RBCs. There are several cases of severe anemia reported every year. It is more common in women as compared to men. Iron deficiency anemia being the commonest type affects the women the most.
- Anemia results in fatigue, weight loss, lack of appetite and signs of pallor are observed on the face, conjunctiva and the palms. Anemia if left untreated may cause marked muscle wasting and severe immunodeficiency.
- Treat anemia with wheatgrass along with taking medications prescribed by your doctor. This will synergize and treat anemia more efficiently.
- Wheatgrass is a source of Iron and contributes to some amount of the daily recommended levels. Being paired with Vitamin C, iron gets absorbed more rapidly than taking it alone.
- The chlorophyll present in the leaves helps producing blood. They resemble the ‘Hemin’ molecule present in blood and combining with it to produce Hemoglobin.
- Also, chlorophyll helps in rapid delivery of Oxygen to the muscles, building muscles up along with treating anemia.
7. An Effective Healer
Wheatgrass is an excellent healer. It cannot heal your broken heart but it works everywhere else in the body. Wheatgrass contains all the minerals present in the soil. Blessed with Vitamins like Vitamin A, B, C and K it can treat various diseases. It also has a good protein content, adding up a cherry on top by building muscles.
- This type of grass helps clearing pimple scars from the face and the rest of the body, brightening the skin and providing freshness to the dull, tired looking skin.
- It also accelerates the process of wound healing and acceptation of grafts.
- It also is used it treating Pyorrhea which is characterized by pus formation in teeth and gums leading straight towards the loosening and then sudden loss of teeth.
- It helps reduce lung scarring due to inhaling harmful acidic gases. It minimizes the affect of polluted air on the human body. By its antioxidant property, it binds with newly formed radicals that may cause cancer; it decreases the occurrence of such a disease.
- Have a power recharging smoothie once or twice daily in the afternoon in the lunch hour or as you come home from work. In order to have a powerful, refreshing antioxidant smoothie, you’ll need a recipe. Here’s one to give you some ease after a tiring day at work.
Apple, Carrot, Wheatgrass smoothie:
- Take an apple, a carrot and about a handful of freshly cut wheatgrass strands straight from the plants.
- Wash them and place them in a blender making sure that you’ve thrown the seeds of the apple away.
- Blend them together adding up a few spoons of orange juice later.
- Pour in a glass and take it for lunch to your office.
6. Wheatgrass As An Anti-Bacterial Agent
Wheatgrass has been known from a very long time by people practicing folk medicine for its infamous property of killing bacteria. It is a natural antiseptic gifted to us by nature. It also has a bactericidal action against most bacteria that act as pathogens for our body. It aids in the defense system of the body to combat their teeny tiny army.
Use it in eye in cases of irritation; it will give a relaxing effect. Use its juice to treat systemic infections like Ulcerative Colitis by having it regularly for a month; you’ll notice the improvement in the bowl habits.
There are a few points you should remember along with the anti-bacterial property of wheatgrass.
- Take rest. Take rest when you’ve had a long tiring day at work. Resting facilitates your immunity by keeping the body healthy.
- Avoid stale food or the food present at the back of the fridge; it is wise to have fresh food because it gives proper nutrition plus having minimal chances of bacterial contamination.
- Have a good healthy diet. This leads to a proper immunization of the body making the body strong enough to handle bacterial invasions on its own.
All of these things help the body; take care of its own self.
5. Use It To Treat Arthritis
Arthritis is inflammation of the joints. The joints usually involved are metacarpal and metatarsal joint, knee joint and the elbow joint. The attacks of pain are severe in intensity, pricking and diffused in nature but gradual in onset. It occurs mostly in old age and is called Osteoarthritis, while the other one occurring at any age when the body’s immune system does harm to the joints is Rheumatoid arthritis.
Arthritis can be treated by dipping cotton balls in wheatgrass and placing them on the affected joints. The action of wheatgrass involves suppression of inflammation, getting rid of the redness and relieving the pain.
While wheatgrass helps relieve the aching joints it is still advisable to go to the doctor and discuss this out.
4. Promotes Better Digestion
Wheatgrass has Cellulose and fiber in its leaves. Having fiber rich food helps in softening of bowl, promotes better digestion and most of important of all, helps in preventing constipation. The fiber content in wheatgrass is high so it causes the food to remain in the stomach for a long time as compared to fiber deficient food.
- It is advisable to have proper hydration after consuming this as it might induce constipation.
- The magnesium content in the leaves of the plant plays a vital role in relieving constipation. Wheatgrass has now taken over your life as a natural laxative.
3. Diabetic Friendly
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder occurring due to insufficiency of Insulin production. This causes hyperglycemia that is elevated levels of glucose in blood. To keep the levels in control, we use either Synthetic Insulin or extended release Metformin tablets. The causes of diabetes are family history, obesity, environmental stress etc.
- Wheatgrass plays a role in lowering glucose levels in blood along with controlling lipid levels. Causing suppression of appetite it helps reduce weight helping control diabetes mellitus. Wheatgrass is known to increase Insulin production, minimizing the sensory damage diabetes can cause.
- A side effect of Metformin tablets is loss of Vitamin B12. Wheatgrass having plenty of vitamin B12 prevents anemia by causing maturation of RBCs.
- There is about 0.30mcg of Vitamin B12 in wheatgrass as compared to the two famous green veggies, broccoli and spinach.
2. Bye Bye Hepatotoxicity
There are many pathogens, foreign agents and drugs that affect our liver in some way or the other. The liver, situated in the upper right quadrant of an abdomen is the largest vital organ of the body. It is responsible for the following actions:
- It produces bile that emulsifies fat we take in our diet.
- Produces proteins like Albumin, Globulin etc in the body to maintain the normal osmotic pressure of the body.
- It takes up Glucose and stores it if taken in excess amount.
- Has iron load that binds with the ‘Globin’ part of hemoglobin facilitating adequate Oxygen supply to the body.
- Makes blood clotting factors.
- Clears up Bilirubin, which if aggregated will cause Jaundice.
- Converts ammonia to urea that gets excreted through urine.
- Allows drug clearance and nullifies its adverse effects in the body.
Keeping these important functions in mind, I think it is very important to take care of the liver to prevent it from diseases like Liver abscess, cirrhosis, hepatitis etc.
Wheatgrass has a lower fat and protein content and an adequate amount of carbohydrates. This property helps it to lower the protein load, dealing with only carbs to provide the body with energy.
I guess if I say, ‘A shot of wheatgrass a day keeps the doctor away’ would do no harm, right?
1. Really Easy To Grow
Wheatgrass is another name of common wheat plant that grows in our fields. Its botanical name is Triticum aestivum, belonging to the family Poaceae. Being the eye candy of latest trendsetters, this plant is now being cultivated at home. Growing it requires a minimal amount of space, beautifies your home and well no one minds their own little garden be it small or equal to the size of a mansion.
It is best to grow the plant at your own place to get a never-ending supply of freshly cut wheatgrass to make morning smoothies.
OLWOMEN Tip
Follow these few steps and you will be having your nutritious little garden ready in no time:
- Take a handful of wheatgrass seeds, wash them and soak them in water. Soaking initiates the process of germination. You’ll notice it yourself that the seeds have numerous sprouts growing from them in the end.
- Remember that you will be soaking the leaves for about 10 hours, covering the container with a cling wrap.
- Make sure you have enough seeds that can grow in the place you have selected for your plant to grow.
- Drain the water in the morning and add up some cold water to let them soak for another 10 hours.
- Repeat the same steps the third day as well ensuring that you cover the container with a cling wrap every time you are done with replacing the water.
- The seeds sprout till the end of the third day.
- Now to plant the seeds make sure you have the container ready for planting.
- Line the container with paper mache and pour organic pre moistened compost over the paper mache.
- Plant the seeds now. Make sure that they are not completely immersed in the soil.
- Sprinkle some water over the planted seeds and cover the container (preferably a flattened tray) with a moist paper sheet.
- Keep the container in a place where sunlight isn’t too harsh on the seedlings.
- Sprinkle some water daily over the seeds keeping in mind that they need to be moist for them to root in the container. Dampen the newspaper again. Repeat this step for 4 days.
- Remove the paper the fifth day and let the grass grow on its own. Once you notice the shoots have matured, the first blade splitting in the second, harvest the grass using scissors. The grass is ready to harvest usually in about 9 to 10 days.
- Your wheatgrass is ready! Start juicing!
You can have your own garden even if you live in a studio apartment. The place is never the issue. It is patience and devotion that is needed the most.
You can build your own boxes, plant wheatgrass and keep them as lush green table runners. Or you can look up on Pinterest to see how people have grown it in egg shells and maison jars. You can keep the jars on variety of places. My friend has kept hers on her window sill and her mantel. I have my own little pot of wheatgrass on the office table and no one seems to mind it.
Must Remember
“Wheatgrass is widely used now a day’s amongst people to give a quick boost to their immune system. It is beneficial but it also has some adverse effects faced by a few people.
The adverse effects are:
- There are various complains coming forward as people have started experimenting with wheatgrass. One of them is experiencing nausea and headaches as soon as they consume wheatgrass.
- You have chances of experiencing an allergic reaction if your body does not approve to it.
