What Is Wheatgrass? How to Grow Wheatgrass

What is Wheatgrass?  It’s Nature’s Medicine!

Wheatgrass is the young grass of the wheat plant Triticum aestivum. (note: wheatgrass does not have gliadin protein so people with wheat sensitivity may be able to drink wheatgrass juice)   Its components include chlorophyll, flavoinoids, vitamin C, and vitamin E.

In lab experiments wheatgrass has shown benefits in cancer prevention, immunological activity, and oxidative stress.  Wheatgrass juice fills the body with a healing dosage of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes, and phytonutrients.  The high chlorophyll content detoxes the liver and blood while neutralizing toxins and environmental pollutants , including heavy metals.   Your cells thrive, repair, and rebuild themselves with chlorophyll. Chlorophyll has very high levels of oxygen and help deliver more oxygen to the blood thus increasing the red blood cell count.

Fun facts on wheatgrass:

• 2 oz of wheatgrass juice is the nutritional equivalent of 5 lbs of raw vegetables
• twice the amount of vitamin A as carrots
• higher in vitamin c than oranges
• full spectrum of B vitamins
• Calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, sodium, and potassium in a balanced ratio
• complete source of protein with all the essential amino acids

The Benefits of Wheatgrass:

1. Increases Oxygen in the Blood: Wheatgrass is high in chlorophyll which is high in oxygen. Wheatgrass juice delivers oxygen to your blood. Increased oxygen in the blood can result in the creation of new red blood cells and increased energy.
2. Good for Digestive Health: helps slow the growth of bad bacterial and anti-yeast effect.  Wheatgrass can be used to reduce/treat symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Article on pubmed.Note:Wheatgrass and Gluten Sensitivity – Gluten is made up of two proteins gliadin and glutenin and contained in the seed of the wheat plant.  If wheatgrass is harvested properly it shouldn’t contain gluten.  That being said, once a seed is formed, if some of the grasses to begin producing seeds before harvesting it, it will contain gluten.  There are chances that there can be small amounts of gluten so someone with celiac or high gluten sensitivity might have a reaction.

3. Alkalizing: Creates and alkaline environment in the body because of the high concentration of chlorophyll.
4. Reduces Oxidative Stress:  Chlorophyll contains enzymes and super-oxide dismutase, a copper-containing protein found in mature red blood cells. This enzyme decomposes super-oxide radicals in the body into a more manageable form, thereby reducing oxidative stress.

How you grow Wheatgrass: Quality is Important

Below is a step by step guide on how to grow your own wheat grass.  Wheatgrass can be expensive when you buy it from a juice bar (1 oz $3).  We believe wheatgrass should be part of your daily practice and growing your own is an affordable way to integrate this super power into your life.

Supplies:

• Wheatgrass seeds
• Organic soils
• Tray
• Trace minerals
• Paper towels

Get the kit here: Organic Kit on Amazon

Recommended Juicer here: Affordable Juicer on Amazon

1. Measure out seeds estimate enough to fill one layer on your tray size.  Rinse the seeds and then soak the seeds in a container or jar with 2-3 times the amount of water.  Soak for 8-12 hours.
2. Drain the water.  Sprout the seeds in the container or jar for the next 16-24 hours, rinsing the seeds 2-3x per day.
3. Once the root has sprouted, a very short “tail” is visible, it’s time to plant the seed on top of the soil. Use ORGANIC potting mix or topsoil will work fine. Fill the tray with pre-moistened soil about 1.5 inches high.
4. Lay out the germinated seed in one layer densely over the soil.  Gently press the seeds into the soil.
5. Water the tray and then cover the seeds with a paper towel to keep them from drying out for the first 2-3 days.
6. Place the tray under indirect sunlight.
7. During the first three days of growth, water once a day in the morning and really soak the soil, until it drips through. Then lightly water in the evening.
8. Once the grass is about an inch high remove the paper towel.  Water heavily once a day.
9. For mold problems, increase your air circulation with a fan or air conditioning to keep the temperature between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
10. Harvest grass when the grass is about 6 inches, this is usually around days 8-10.  Use scissors to cut above the seeds.  Cut right before juicing for maximum potency.
11. Only harvest once. Then start the process all over again with new seeds and soil.

Live Well. Stay Balanced.