A pilot study on wheat grass juice for its phytochemical, nutritional and therapeutic potential on chronic diseases

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International Journal of Chemical Studies 2014; 2(4): 27-34
P-ISSN 2349–8528
E-ISSN 2321–4902
IJCS 2014; 2(4): 27-34
© 2014 IJCS
Received: 06-11-2014
Accepted: 12-12-2014
M. Chauhan
Department of chemistry, Girand
Singh Memorial Degree College,
Pilakpur Shyoram (Dilari)
Moradabad (U.P.) India
Correspondence:
Dr. Mukul Chauhan (Ph.D)
Department of chemistry,
Girand Singh Memorial Degree
College, Pilakpur Shyoram
(Dilari) Moradabad (U.P.) India.
A pilot study on wheat grass juice for its
phytochemical, nutritional and therapeutic
potential on chronic diseases.
M. Chauhan
Abstract
Triticum aestivum (Wheat grass juice) has high concentrations of chlorophyll, amino acids, minerals,
vitamins, and enzymes. Fresh juice has been shown to possess anti-cancer activity, anti-ulcer activity,
anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activity, anti-arthritic activity, and blood building activity in Thalassemia.
It has been argued that wheat grass helps blood flow, digestion, and general detoxification of the body
due to the presence of biologically active compounds and minerals in it and due to its antioxidant
potential which is derived from its high content of bioflavonoids such as apigenin, quercitin, luteoline.
Furthermore, indole compounds, amely choline, which known for antioxidants and also possess chelating
property for iron overload disorders. The presence of 70% chlorophyll, which is almost chemically
identical to haemoglobin. The only difference is that the central element in chlorophyll is magnesium and
in hemoglobin it is iron. In wheat grass makes it more useful in various clinical conditions involving
hemoglobin deficiency and other chronic disorders ultimately considered as green blood.
Keywords: Antioxidant, Anti-cancer activity, Wheat Grass juice, Haemoglobin, Triticum aestivum,
enzymes, vitamins, nutrients.
1. Introduction
Modern science has already accepted the potential of herbs as a source of new bio-active
constituents.
Triticum aestivum Linn. Commonly called wheat grass, belonging to the family: Gramineae. [1]
Triticum is a genus of annual and biennial grasses. In early growth stages the wheat plant
consists of a much-compressed stem or crown and numerous narrowly linear or linear-
lanceolate leaves, yielding various types of wheat, native to southwest Asia and the
Mediterranean region and widely cultivated almost all over the world. Generally, 15-20
species are recognized. Wheat grass is a good source of mineral nutrients. It contains
significant amounts of iron, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper & zinc. Wheatgrass
is a rich source of tocopherols with high vitamin E potency.
The presence of 70% chlorophyll, which is almost chemically identical to haemoglobin. Both
chlorophyll and hemoglobin share a similar atom structure to create their respective molecules.
[2] The only difference is that the central element in chlorophyll is magnesium and in
hemoglobin it is iron [3] Wheat grass stimulates metabolism, restores alkalinity to the blood, its
abundance of alkaline minerals helps reduce over acidity in the blood. Wheatgrass is also a de-
toxificant and helps restore healthy cells [4].
Wheat grass, young grass of the common wheat plant, is freshly juiced or dried into powder
for animal and human consumption- both the forms provide chlorophyll, 17 amino acid, eight
of which are essential minerals, vitamins and enzymes [5]. Wheat Grass Juice (WGJ) is an
extract squeezed from the mature sprouts of wheat seeds.
Wheatgrass has been traditionally used, since ancient times, to treat various diseases and
disorders. Presently, there are a number of heat grass suppliers, in almost all cities of India,
supply fresh wheatgrass, on daily basis to their regular customers by home-delivery system for
various ailments and as health tonic. Dr. Ann Wigmore, U.S.A. founder director of the
Hippocrates Health Institute, Boston, U.S.A. was one of the proponents of ‘Wheatgrass
Therapy’. Dr. Wigmore reported that “wheatgrass” used in her program contain abscisic acid
and laetrile, both of which may have anti-cancer activity. It was also reported that young
grasses and other chlorophyll-rich plants are safe and effective treatment for ailments such as
high blood pressure, some cancers, obesity, diabetes, gastritis, ulcers, pancreas and liver

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problems, fatigue, anemia, asthma, eczema, hemorrhoids, skin
problems, halitosis, body odor and constipation [6]. Scientific
reports on nutritional analysis of wheatgrass have been
published frequently in various journals. [7, 8] These reports and
chemical analyses undertaken reveal that wheatgrass is rich in
chlorophyll, minerals like magnesium, selenium, zinc,
chromium, antioxidants like beta-carotene (pro-vitamin A),
vitamin E, vitamin C, anti-anemic factors like vitamin B12,
iron, folic acid, pyridoxine and many other minerals, amino
acids and enzymes, which have significant nutritious and
medicinal value. Clinically it was proved that different
varieties of wheatgrass extracts are therapeutically used in
treatment of anemia, thalassemia (major), cancer and bacterial
diseases [9].
The supplement is available commercially in liquid, powdered
or concentrated forms, depending on the supplier and can be
consumed on its own, or mixed with fruit juices. Wheatgrass
juice has been shown to have some medicinal value; a review
of the scientific literature found studies reporting high levels of
antioxidants [10, 11, 12]. It has demonstrated anti-cancer
properties both in-vitro and in-vivo, [13, 14, 15, 16] and has been
found to reduce the frequency of blood transfusions in
thalassemia patients [17, 18]. Scientific studies regarding the
health benefits of chlorophyll have shown anti-cancer effects
in animal models, and studies have been extended to human
subjects. Two studies published in 2005 and found that
chlorophyll inhibited haem-induced cytotoxicity and reduced
epithelial cell turnover (hypoproliferation) in rat colons [19, 20].
2. Phytochemistry
The name "green blood" of wheatgrass is attributable to its
high chlorophyll content which accounts for 70% of its total
chemical constituents [21, 22]. Wheatgrass juice is a rich source
of Vitamins A, C, E and B complex. It contains a plethora of
minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, alkaline earth
metals, potassium, zinc, boron, and molybdenum. The various
enzymes responsible for its pharmacological actions are
protease, amylase, lipase, cytochrome oxidase,
transhydrogenase, super oxide dismutase (SOD). The other
notable feature of wheatgrass is its high proportion of amino
acids such as aspartic acid, glutamic acid, arginine, ala-nine
and serine. [23]
The major clinical utility of wheatgrass juice is due to its
antioxidant action which is derived from its high content of
bioflavonoids like apigenin, quercitin and luteolin. Other
compounds present, which make this grass therapeutically
effective, is the indole compounds, apigenin and
laetrile. [Figure 1] and [Figure 2]. The different constituents of
wheatgrass occurring in different proportions are represented
in [Table 1 and 2] [21].
Fig 1: Structure of Apigenin
Fig 2: Structure of Laetrile
Fig 3: Structure of Chlorophyll Molecules
Fig 4: Structure of Tetra Pyrrole Head of Hemoglobin

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Table 1: Levels of Vitamins and Minerals in 100 ml of Wheat Grass
Juice. [23]
Vitamins & minerals Amount (mg/100 ml)
Ascorbic acid 25.2
Dehydroascorbic acid 7.6
Vitamin E 8.5
Carotene 2.43
Potassium 57
Phosphorus 8.2
Calcium 2.4
Sulfur 2.37
Magnesium 1.7
Sodium 1.42
Aluminum 0.31
Zinc 0.02
Copper 0.007
Table 2: The Contents of Amino Acids in Wheat Grass Juice. [23]
Amino acid Amount (μg/ml)
Aspartic acid 510.3
Threonine 105.8
Serine 201.8
Asparagine 3039.6
Glutamine 200.6
Proline 33.6
Glycine 20.6
Alanin 166.4
Valine 272.1
Methionine 14.0
Isoleucine 145.1
Leucine 101.0
Tyrosine 121.8
Phenylalanine 200.9
Lysine 174.5
Histidine 232.2
Tryptophan 160.1
Arginine 252.9
In a study conducted to determine the elemental concentration
profile of wheatgrass using instrumental neutron activation
analysis, it was found that the concentration of elements such
as K, Na, Ca and Mg increased linearly in the shoots with the
growth period, whereas the concentrations of the elements
namely Zn, Mn and Fe remained constant in shoots after 8th
day of plant growth for all three conditions of growth.
However, it was observed that the shoot to root concentration
ratio in all the conditions increased linearly for K, Na, Ca, Mg
and Cl and decreased for Zn, Fe, Mn, and Al with growth
period [24].
3. Therapeutic-potential
i) Chlorophyll as green blood
The analogy between chlorophyll and hemoglobin can be
demonstrated with respect to the structure of their porphyrin
heads. [Figure 3] and [Figure 4] The structure of both the
compounds depicts a striking similarity in having a
tetrapyrrole ring structure, the only difference between the two
being the nature of the central metal atom - magnesium (Mg)
in chlorophyll and iron (Fe) in hemoglobin. The apparent
resemblance between the two is thus considered to be
responsible for the therapeutic effects shown by chlorophyll in
conditions involving deficiency of hemoglobin.
Hemoglobin and its congeners are protein bodies which act as
the oxygen carrier in higher animals by binding two electrons
attached to the oxygen molecule, whereas chlorophyll is the
active metabolic agent in plants which assimilates carbon from
the carbon dioxide of the atmosphere by producing two
electrons which are then transmitted through electron transport
chain. The structural similarity between the two compounds is
stipulated to be the reason behind the limited use of
chlorophyll as a blood substitute in conditions like chronic
anemia, tissue hypoxia, thalassemia and other hemolytic
disorders etc.
ii) Blood building activity in Thalassemia major
Beta-thalassemia is a genetically inherited disorder that arises
due to abnormal beta globin chains which are required for the
synthesis of adult hemoglobin (HbA). The characteristic
deficiency of beta globin chains, seen in thalassemia results in
the production of abnormal red blood cells (RBCs) having a
preponderance of alpha globin chains. This leads to destruction
of such RBCs in the spleen and a decreased number of RBCs
in the blood. Individuals with thalassemia may continue to
produce gamma globin chains in an effort to increase the
amount of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and compensate for the
deficiency of HbA [25]. Thus, induction of fetal hemoglobin in
thalassemia can improve the patient's clinical condition. Drugs
exhibiting this function like hydroxyurea are not used
conventionally due to lack of specificity and greater degree of
side effects [26] 3-5 fold increase in the production of HbF on
consumption of wheatgrass has been reported using a cellular
assay. This has now been confirmed by the development of a
specific assay method for HbF, which is based on detecting its
production in human erythroleukemia cells using a fluorescent
protein gene that replaces the genes for HbF [27]. The level and
speed of induction of HbF by the wheatgrass extract is
significantly greater than any of the pharmaceutical inducers
available. Chlorophyll extracted from the wheatgrass plant or
its synthetic derivative chlorophyllin has also been implicated
in this clinical condition. The antioxidant mechanism of the
various wheatgrass constituents may be responsible for the
beneficial effects. The enhanced anti-oxidative capacity of the
RBCs may prolong the survival time of not only the newly
formed cells, but also of the transfused RBCs [28]. In a clinical
study, wherein the thalassemic patients were administered
wheatgrass juice on a daily basis, the following conclusions
were drawn -
a. 50% patients showed up to 25% reduction in transfusion
requirement.
b. The mean time interval between transfusions increased to
29.5%
c. Hemoglobin levels were not compromised by reducing
transfusion volumes.
d. The patients reported general well-being, improved
appetite and reduced musculo-skeletal aches and pains [17].
iii) Adjuvant therapy in haemolytic anemia
It was seen that wheatgrass juice therapy decreased the total
volume of blood transfused and increased the intervals
between blood transfusions of the entire study cohort. These
analyses suggested that not only is this therapy effective, but
also that the benefit is related to the duration of the wheatgrass
juice therapy. The beneficial effects of this therapy have been
attributed to its rich nutritional content that includes
antioxidant vitamins (C & E) and bioflavonoids. The effects of
the wheatgrass juice therapy may be due to the action of
natural antioxidants of red blood cell (RBC) antioxidant
function and corresponding effects on cellular enzyme
function and membrane integrity. This thought is supported by
studies that show decreased antioxidant capacities of RBCs of
patients with hemolytic disorders as well as beneficial effects
on RBC life-span by supplementation of antioxidants in vivo
[29].

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The response to this therapy took some months (called as the
"neutral period") which may suggest that the natural
antioxidants contained in the wheatgrass juice are better able
to avert cellular injury than to repair RBC
enzymes/membranes once damaged. Hence, RBCs, once
damaged, would be cleared from the circulation by the re-
ticuloendothelial system as they would prior to the onset of
this therapy, but newly formed RBCs would not be damaged
and would have a longer life-span. While clinical trials are
currently underway to find suitable blood substitutes for
patients needing blood transfusions, they may not be readily
available in developing countries nor would they be preferable
to natural therapies aimed at preserving a patient's own RBCs.
Therefore, wheatgrass juice and other nutritional therapies
may be considered as an adjuvant to drug therapy.
iv) Anticancer activity
Wheat grass juice is alternative medicine (CAM) approach of
anticancer therapy, due to its high antioxidant content
chlorophyll, laetrile and antioxidant enzyme super oxide
dismutase (SOD) which converts dangerous free radical
reactive oxygen species (ROS) into hydrogen peroxides
(having extra oxygen molecule to kill cancer cells) and an
oxygen molecule [30].
Chlorophyll, like other tetra-pyrroles, has the ability to induce
mammalian phase 2 proteins that protect cells against oxidants
and electrophiles. The capacity of this compound to induce the
phase 2 response depends upon its ability or that of its
metabolites to react with thiol groups. Its pseudo second-order
rate constant is correlated with its potency in inducing the
phase 2 enzyme NAD (P) H:quinoneoxidoreductase 1 (NQO1)
in murine hepatoma cells One of the most potent inducers was
isolated from chlorophyllin, a semisynthetic water-soluble
chlorophyll derivative. Although chlorophyll itself is low in
inducer potency, it may nevertheless account for some of the
disease-protective effects attributed to diets rich in green
vegetables like wheatgrass because it occurs in much higher
concentrations in these plants. [31]
Another constituent of wheatgrass implicated as an anticancer
agent is the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA). This hormone
is 40 times more potent 4 hours after cutting the wheatgrass
plant. ABA can neutralize the effect of the hormone chorionic
gonadotropin and a compound similar to this hormone has
been found to be produced by the cancer cells [32].
A novel anticancer approach utilizes high alkalinity in the
cancer chemotherapy. Firstly, an alkaline diet helps to reduce
the number of microbes in the diet. This attenuates the
incidence of secondary infections to a certain degree in the
patient. Secondly, the cancer cells succumb in a highly
alkaline environment. As the pH of the wheatgrass juice is
around 7.4, it is being considered a viable option under this
approach [33]. Other postulated mechanisms by which
wheatgrass juice appears beneficial include antioxidant
activity in preventing oxidative damage to deoxyribonucleic
acid (DNA) and lipid peroxidation, stimulation of gap junction
communication, effects on cell transformation and
differentiation, inhibition of cell proliferation and oncogene
(cancer causing gene) expression, effects on immune function
and inhibition of endogenous formation of carcinogens.
[34]
Furthermore, chlorophyll derivatives have also been found to
provide beneficial effects in liver, colon, stomach and
gastrointestinal cancer cases [35, 36, 37, 38]. In vitro studies with
chlorophyllin on animal model have shown that chlorophyllin
is an inhibitor of the cytochrome P-450 liver enzymes [39]. All
in vivo (whole animal) studies where cytochrome P-450
enzyme activity is reduced, resulting in lower cancer rates and
longer lifespan. [40]
Aqueous extracts of wheatgrass are good sources of
antioxidants. Significant antioxidant activity was demonstrated
by in vitro studies [11]. The clinical studies conducted on human
breast cancer have shown that chlorophyllin, a compound that
is similar to chlorophyll produced synthetically, has capability
to reduce the risk of breast cancer [41].
In another in vitro study it was found that wheat sprout extract
inhibited the metabolic activation of carcinogens and
decreased their cancer causing ability by up to 99 percent. [42]
v) Anti-ulcer activity
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study on
WGJ [42] observed that the use of wheat grass
(Triticumaestivum) juice is very effective and safe as asingle
or adjuvant treatment of active distal Ulcerative colitis (UC).
Green juice and fractions from green juice of young barley
leaves containing water soluble proteins and water soluble
organic compounds showed anti- stomach ulcer activity in
stressed rats. In another clinical study related to the use of
water-soluble derivatives of chlorophyll in over 400 cases over
a period of nine months, several major effects, notably: loss of
odour associated with infected wounds; a stimulating effect on
tissue formation (granulation tissue) when used as a dressing
particularly for burns; and a drying effect in the case of
abscesses, sinus tracts, surface lesions and osteomyelitis were
observed. The results of the study showed that chlorophyll was
found effective in treatment of cyst wounds, fistula-in-ano,
sarcoma/carcinoma, ulcerative colitis, thoracic empyema,
gunshot wound sinus tracts, decubitus ulcer and burns.
Further, it has been observed that in fractures of limbs
chlorophyll reduced odour and enhanced healing, in some
cases with exceptional results, e.g. legs saved from seemingly
inevitable amputation. These clinical studies suggest that
chlorophyll may be best agent known for use in the treatment
of suppurative diseases, indolent ulcers or wherever
stimulation of tissue repair is desired [43, 44]. Which are believed
to possess both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
as it is rich in bioflavonoid. One of these bioflavonoid,
apigenin, has been shown to inhibit tumour necrosis factor
induced transactivation [42, 45].
In another study chlorophyll was used in an experiment with
cutaneous wounds in guinea pigs, and in treating dermatome
donor sites, clinical burns and surgical wounds and ulcers in
human patients [47]. The studies related to the use of
chlorophyll in stimulating tissue growth have shown that
chlorophyll ointment and aqueous solutions are useful in the
treatment of skin ulcer [48].
Further chlorophyll derivatives have also been shown to
exhibit anti-inflammatory, wound healing and odor reducing
capabilities. Chlorophyllin has bacteriostatic properties aiding
in wound healing, and stimulates the production of
hemoglobin and erythrocytes in anemic animals. It has been
used to treat various kinds of skin lesions, burns and ulcers
where it acts as a wound healing agent, stimulating granulation
tissue and epithelization [21, 49].
vi) Antioxidant activity
The antioxidant activity of wheatgrass extract was observed at
various levels of protection such as primary and secondary
radical scavenging and inhibition of free radical induced
membrane damage. This can possibly be explained on the
basis of its chemical content. It has been shown that these
extracts contain significant amounts of phenolic compounds
including flavonoids. Recently it was shown that during
germination, some biologically active compounds were

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synthesized in the wheat sprouts [50, 51, 52]
Wheat sprouts reached the maximum antioxidant potential
after 7 days of plant growth. Wheatgrass, in general, has been
reported to possess therapeutic properties in diseases such as
ulcerative colitis and thalassaemia major [17, 42] In addition to
this, wheat sprout extracts were found to be antimutagenic in
the Ames test [53] capable of inhibiting oxidative DNA damage
[10] and responsible for metabolic deactivation of carcinogens
[54].
Many of the studies showed that water extracts of wheatgrass
are a good source of antioxidants. In view of its antioxidant
potential and the ease with which it can be home-grown under
known environmental conditions, wheatgrass extracts can be
used as a dietary supplement for antioxidant compounds such
as polyphenols and flavonoids [24].
vii) Detoxifying Activity
The vitality of liver is of high concern for the overall well-
being of an individual as it is the major organ implicated in
detoxification. In addition to the stimulating and regenerative
properties of chlorophyll, other constituents of wheat-grass
juice like choline and its high mineral content are responsible
for the therapeutic benefit. In a study conducted to observe the
effect of choline on liver, it was seen that choline prevents the
deposition of fats in the experimental animals' liver when they
were administered a diet rich in cholesterol [55].
Choline promotes the removal of the esters of both cholesterol
and glycerol, with the effect on the glyceride fraction
preceding that on the cholesterol esters. The lipotropic action
of choline is attributed to its in vivo conversion to an active
compound which is retained within the hepatic cells and
enhances the oxidation of fatty acids and formation of tissue
lecithins. The latter effect augments lipoprotein synthesis,
which acts as a transport form of fatty acids in plasma and thus
helps in removal of lipids from a fatty liver [56].
It has been demonstrated experimentally that the dietary
indoles like indole-3-carbinole and ascorbigen increase the
activity of phase I and phase II xenobiotic metabolic enzymes
in the liver and intestinal mucosa [57]. Thus the in-dole
compounds of wheatgrass may have a role in the deactivation
of carcinogens.
viii) Anti-arthritic activity
In a study to see the effect of uncooked vegetarian diet rich in
lactobacilli, in rheumatoid patients randomized into diet and
control groups, it has been observed that and uncooked
vegetarian diet, rich in lactobacilli, decreased subjective
symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. The studies indicated that
the following group of dietary factors was partially (48%)
responsible for the observed decrease in the disease activity
index: fermented wheat drink, wheat grass drink, dietary fiber
and iron. The studies showed significant response in arthritic
patients [58, 59].
ix) Anti-inflammatory activity
Wheat grass juice exhibit anti-inflammatory, wound healing
and odor reducing capabilities. Chlorophyllin has
bacteriostatic properties aiding in wound healing, and
stimulates the production of hemoglobin and erythrocytes in
anemic animals. It has been used to treat various kinds of skin
lesions, burns and ulcers where it acts as a wound healing
agent, stimulating granulation tissue and epithelization [48].
4. Ways to Treat Some Common Aliments:
i) Internal Rejuvenation
Wheat protein, which comprises up to eight per cent of the
grain, has a special benefit as it has eight of the essential
amino acids in delicately balanced proportions. A complete
internal rejuvenation takes place when Wheat protein is
metabolized into health-building amino acids. These amino
acids build a resilient muscle that comes back to its original
form after stretching and bending, healthy skin and hair and
clearer eyesight and nourish the heart and lungs, tendons and
ligaments, brain, nervous system and glandular network. The
B-complex vitamins, especially thiamine, riboflavin and niacin
offered by natural brown Wheat promote youthful energy and
nourishment to the skin and blood vessels. An abundance of
minerals in natural brown Wheat helps to nourish the
hormonal system, heal wounds and regulate blood pressure.
Wheat also offers iron to enrich the bloodstream and
phosphorus and potassium to maintain internal water balance
along with other nutrients. Wheat, thus helps restore internal
harmony [60, 61, 62].
ii) Tooth Disorders
Wheat is valuable in the prevention and cure of pyorrhea. It
takes time to eat wheat and as it is generally taken with other
foods, it compels the chewing of other foods also. This not
only provides the needed exercise for the teeth and gums but
also a great aid to digestion. Wheatgrass juice acts as an
excellent mouth wash for sore throats and pyorrhea. It also
prevents tooth decay and tooth aches. Therefore, it is
beneficial to chew wheat grass which draws out toxins from
the gums and thus checks bacterial growth.
iii) Constipation
The bran of wheat, which is generally discarded in milling of
the flour, is more wholesome and nourishing than the flour
itself. It is an excellent laxative. The laxative effects of bran
are much superior to those fruits or green vegetables as
cellulose of the latter is more easily broken down by bacteria
while passing through the intestine. The bran is highly
beneficial in the prevention and treatment of constipation due
to its concentration of cellulose, which forms a bulk-mass in
the intestines and helps easy evacuation due to increased
peristalsis.
iv) Skin Diseases
It has been scientifically proved that chlorophyll arrests
growth and development of harmful bacteria. Wheat grass
therapy can be effectively used for skin diseases and ulcerated
wounds as by retarding bacterial action, it promotes cell
activity and normal re-growth by drinking wheatgrass juice
regularly, an unfavourable environment is created for bacterial
growth. Poultice of wheatgrass juice can be applied on the
infected area, as it is an able sterilizer. Externally, wheat flour
is useful as a dusting powder over inflamed surface as in
burns, scalds and various itching and burning eruptions, Whole
wheat flour, mixed with vinegar, boiled and applied outwardly
removes freckles.[48]
v) Digestive System Disorders
Wheat grass juice used as an enema helps detoxify the walls of
the colon. The general procedure is to give an enema with
lukewarm or Neem water. After waiting for 20 minutes, 90 to
120 ml of wheat grass juice enema is given. This should be
retained for 15 minutes. This enema is very helpful in
disorders of the colon, mucous and ulcerative colitis, chronic
constipation and bleeding piles [63]
vi) Circulatory Disorders
The chlorophyll content present in wheat enhances heart and

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lung functions. Capillary activity also increases while toxemia
or blood poisoning is reduced. Due to increased Iron content in
the blood and hemoglobin, lungs function better. Oxygenation
improves and the effect of carbon dioxide is minimized. It is
for this reason that wheatgrass juice is prescribed for
circulatory disorders [64].
vii) For Treating Boils
Boils having pus can be easily treated at home without the help
of a surgeon’s knife. Pound a little Alse (available at shops) to
a fine powder. Take a tablespoon of wheat flour and fry it in a
little oil to a golden colour. Add ground Alse along with a
tablespoon of water. Keep on stirring until the mixture turns
thick. Remove from fire and place it on a clean strip of cloth.
When the mixture turns bearably hot, spread it over the cloth
and bandage the boil. Within a day or two, the boil will burst,
giving instant relief. Clean the boil with warm water to which
a little boric has been added and then apply sulphur ointment
and bandage. Clean the wound and apply the ointment daily
until the wound heals.
viii) For Treating Scars
To remove scars roast wheat on fire until it turns black. Grind
to paste. Put in a thin cloth and squeeze out the oil. Apply on
the scars regularly for relief. Even itching disappears with this
oil.
5. Conclusion
Widespread data from a number of studies has made known
the multitude effects of Wheatgrass is known to help diminish
fatigue, improve sleep, increase strength, naturally regulate
blood pressure and blood sugar, support weight loss, improve
digestion and elimination, support healthy skin, teeth, eyes,
muscles and joints, improve the function of our heart-lungs
and reproductive organs, heal ulcers and skin sores, slow
cellular aging, improve mental function, and is beneficial in
arthritis and muscle cramping, thalassemia, hemo-lytic anemia,
cancer, asthma, allergy, inflammatory bowel disease and
detoxification. Thus, it should be made part of daily dietary
intake in order to explore its utmost benefits. The structural
homology of chlorophyll with hemoglobin indicates the role of
chlorophyll as a blood builder in various clinical conditions
involving hemoglobin deficiency - thus the name "green
blood". To conclude wheatgrass seems to be very promising
herbal drug and extensive research work is needed in order to
explore its therapeutic application in various diseases.
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