By Dr. Rita Khanna
Wheatgrass is the raw grass of the common wheat plant (Triticum Aestivum), which is consumed by either juicing or drying it into powder form. If consumed in the form of juice, it will provide chlorophyll, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and enzymes. As the chlorophyll molecule is structurally similar to hemoglobin, wheatgrass helps blood flow, digestion, and natural detoxification of the body. That is why it is commonly called – Green Blood. Wheat grass has 70 percent crude chlorophyll and 30 percent enzymes. It is basically a whole meal worth of nutrition, which has the strength to overcome almost all the diseases. It is rich in Vitamins A, B, C, E, K, and Laetrile (Vitamin B17 – which has a marked anti-cancer effect).
CLINICAL USES OF WHEATGRASS
Heart and Cardio-Vascular System
• Anemia
• High blood pressure
• Atherosclerosis
• Internal hemorrhage
Respiratory System
• Common cold
• Asthma
• Bronchitis
Digestive System
• Constipation
• Dyspepsia
• Nausea and vomiting
• Peptic ulcers
• Diabetes
• Worm infestations
Teeth and Gums
• Caries
• Septic gums
• Bleeding gums
Joints
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
Brain and Nervous System
• Parkinson’s disease
• Weakness
• Headaches
Skin Diseases
• Eczema
• Pimples
• Boils
• Burns
Wheat grass therapy has also been used with great success in kidney, ear diseases, and in several cancers. The high magnesium content in the chlorophyll of the wheat grass juice, actually builds enzymes that also increase fertility hormones.
GROW WHEATGRASS AT HOME
Wheat grass can be grown at home in flower pots or shallow pots. The wheat has to be sprouted first, prior to sowing it. For a normal person, about 50-100 grams of wheat grass, per day, is quite adequate to maintain positive health. Wheat grass can be chewed or drank, as a juice; and it can also be administered as an enema. It is very important to note that the juice must be consumed as soon as it is extracted; otherwise, the vital elements in the juice will lose its efficacy.
PREPARATION
Requisites: Seven flower pots or shallow pots, soil, and wheat
Duration: Seven days to prepare one pot
PROCEDURE
Fill seven flowerpots with soil. Mix some cow dung manure in the soil; do not use chemical manures for growing these plants. Soak a fist full of wheat (50 gm) overnight in water in any container after cleaning and washing it thoroughly for one pot. Next day remove water and let the wheat sprouts a little.
First day: – Sow the sprouted wheat in the first pot – half inch below the soil. Next day, sprinkle on some water. Water the plants, once daily, until you see green leaves sprouting through the soil. When you see the plant growing, reduce watering. Keep the pot in the shade, instead of Sun. Make sure that the sunlight does not fall directly on the pot. You can cover the pot with a newspaper, to provide darkness, which helps the sprouting, and also to prevent the birds from eating the wheat.
Second day: – Sow the sprouted wheat in the second pot, and follow the above procedure.
In this way, continue to sow the wheat in seven pots for the third day and on to the seventh day.
Eighth day: – On the 8th day, you will see that the grain has grown to about 8-10 inches in height in the first pot, and it is ready for use.
Cut the grown wheat grass 1 cm above the soil, with the help of a knife or scissors. Some people pull the whole plant along with the roots, which also is one of the methods; in this case, the roots can also be utilized.
Clean the wheat grass with water.
Put the washed grass in a mixer; add 50 ml of water, and extract the juice.
Strain the juice through a clean cloth, into a cup or a glass. Grind again, adding water – repeat this process until the remaining grass is almost white. Do not throw out the leftover grass. Put it in your plants as manure.
Drink the juice immediately, without keeping it for a long time, because that would reduce its nutritional qualities and would be completely denuded after three hours. It is better if you drink it in gulps, early in the morning, on an empty stomach.
Again, sow the wheat in this empty pot so that it should be ready by next week.
Ninth day: – Similarly, on the 9th day, extract the juice of the grass in the second pot, and drink it early in the morning.
Then, repeat the whole procedure for the remaining days; that is, the 10th to 14th.
POINTS TO REMEMBER
• Sow the wheat as and when the pots become empty and use the wheat grass. But after the second harvest from the same pot, remove all the soil in the pot onto a newspaper- breakup all the roots and mix them with the soil. Add a bit of cow dung to this to rejuvenate the soil. The soil is now ready for reuse for fresh sowing of wheat.
• In general, you can drink 30 to 50 ml of wheat grass juice, daily, early in the morning. Although it can be taken at any time during the day, however, do not take anything half-hour, before and after, drinking this juice.
• Many people suffer from belches or vomiting, and even cold, after taking this juice. Do not panic, because one has to go through this process, depending on the amount of foreign particles and toxic elements accumulated in the body. Vomiting removes the toxic elements from the body.
• Add ginger, honey, betel leaf, carrot, beetroot, and seasonal fruit to wheat grass juice. It increases the taste and also the medicinal qualities. It also prevents belches and discomfort. Do not add lemon juice and salt in wheat grass juice. However, you can add three to four mint leaves.
• If it is difficult to extract wheat juice, then chew the grass until the remaining cud in the mouth is almost white. This can be eaten or thrown out. (Constipated people are advised to eat the cud, as it provides roughage for a better bowel movement.) This strengthens the gums and teeth, and also overcomes mouth odor.
• Remember not to use plastic utensils in the process of making wheat grass juice. Try not to use a mixer or blenders, as the fast blade motion oxidizes the chlorophyll, and reduces the nutritional benefits of wheatgrass. Use a juicer or a stone grinder.
• There is one more important thing to remember in this process. Cut the wheat grass, when they grow up to seven to eight inches long, as very long wheat grass plants lose their qualities. Therefore, it is necessary to cut the plants at the right time, in order to get the full benefits of the wheat grass.
• During the course of the treatment, no artificial food must be consumed. Only fresh vegetables, fruit, and mildly cooked or boiled vegetables, along with home-made bread, can be taken. Coffee, tea, and any other type of drink must be strictly avoided.
• People of all ages can consume it; and five drops of this juice should be given to newborns, also.
• The wheat grass can be stored in the refrigerator, in a plastic container or a good quality cellophane bag, for about 3 days; but the juice must be drunk as soon as juiced – or a maximum within half an hour of juicing.
An ounce a day can definitely keep the doctor away !!!
AUM SHANTI
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Courtesy: Dr. Rita Khanna’s Yogashaastra Studio.
A popular studio that helps you find natural solutions for complete health.
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Dr. Rita Khanna
Dr. Rita Khanna is a well-known name in the field of Yoga and Naturopathy. She was initiated into this discipline over 25 years ago by world famous Swami Adyatmananda of Sivananda Ashram in Rishikesh (India).
She believes firmly that Yoga is a scientific process, which helps us to lead a healthy and disease-free life. She is also actively involved in practicing alternative medicines like Naturopathy. Over the years, she has been successfully practicing these therapies and providing succour to several chronic and terminally ill patients through Yoga, Diet and Naturopathy. She is also imparting Yoga Teachers Training.
At present, Dr. Rita Khanna is running a Yoga Studio in Secunderabad (Hyderabad, India).