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Wheatgrass
From CopperWiki
Wheatgrass is a term used for the young Agropyron plants, which are closely related to wheat, but look like a fairly typical lawn grass when in its early stages. Wheatgrass is most well known for its health benefits, and is often crushed into a juice for regular consumption.
The health benefits of wheatgrass are somewhat contested, and it seems likely that in some cases they are exaggerated. Wheatgrass first became widely known in the West in the 1930s, when a man named Charles Schnabel began touting its benefits
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[edit] Why should I be aware of this?
- Wheatgrass has numerous health benefits
- It is being touted as a superfood
- Juicing wheat grass is one of the freshest ways to get more antioxidants into your diet.
Since wheatgrass is not readily absorbed by the body, we need a way to separate the juice from the plant fiber. The easiest way is by juicing the grass. When you do this, a green drink cocktail is the result. It can have a quite strong taste so many people combine it with other juices such as celery, spinach and carrot. You don't need much to make a marked difference.
[edit] Nutritional profile of wheatgrass
Wheat grass has an abundance of nutrients.
- It is full of vitamins A, E and B.
- It also contains minerals and trace elements such as calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron and zinc.
- Wheat grass is full of amino acids (building blocks of proteins), which are nutrients that the body cannot make and thus must be obtained through diet. Wheat grass contains many amino acids, including the eight essentials ones: phenylalanine, valine, threonine, tryptophan, isoleucine, methionine, leucine and lysine.
- Wheat grass is very rich in chlorophyll that aids the body in the natural healing process. It helps carry oxygen to every cell in the human body.
[edit] Functions
Drinking wheat grass gives you nutritional benefits, however, there are many other uses.
- Wheat grass eliminates itching when applied to the skin. It can also soothe sunburn.
- Wheat grass can be used as a disinfectant.
- Gargle with wheat grass to soothe a sore throat and also as a mouthwash to draw out toxins from the gums and teeth.
- Wheat grass can be used to help heal cuts, burns, rashes, athlete's foot, insect bites, open sores, boils and ulcers.
- To alleviate an itchy scalp and overcome dandruff, rub wheat grass into the scalp after shampooing.
- To help with stuffy nasal passages during a cold, inhale wheat grass in the nose to clean and open the sinuses.
[edit] Wheatgrass and health
It is a great source of fiber, which can help maintain bowel regularity. Wheatgrass also has antibacterial properties, is a good source of iron, and may help reduce symptoms of a sore throat when one gargles with its juice. Wheatgrass is about 70% chlorophyll, which can help reduce bad breath and may aid in digestion. Some say that a little wheatgrass on skin wounds may work as well as topical antibacterial cream.
Wheatgrass
- Improves digestion
- Reduces blood pressure
- Improved ability of the body to heal wounds.
- Chlorophyll found in wheatgrass can prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
- Helping prevent tooth decay
- Has anti-ageing abilities and can keep the hair from greying.
[edit] All about Wheatgrass
Wheat grass is grown from the red wheat berry and contains all the basic vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, that your body needs. Being a grass, however, it is not possible for the human digestive system to process it.
[edit] What can I do?
Wheatgrass can be grown quite easily at home, which is part of its huge appeal. Small flats of the grass can often be purchased at grocery or health-food stores, and can be taken home and harvested regularly with minimal upkeep. Flats of wheatgrass should be kept in sunlight, and regularly watered. The grass should be harvested at about 8 inches. Reaching sufficient height takes around a week, and one plot of grass that is well looked after can last for some time.
The daily dose of wheatgrass depends on what results you’re looking for. Most people drink around two ounces of wheatgrass juice once or twice per day for regular maintenance. People looking to do a deep cleanse or detoxification may take a slightly larger dose four times a day. For best results, wheatgrass juice should be taken on an empty stomach, and immediately followed with a medium-sized meal.
