FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT with WHEATGRASS
Although wheatgrass (also
known as Agropyron and Couchgrass) is as old as 5000 years. It was not until
the 1930’s that it became popular through experimentation by Charles F.
Schnabel, which increased its usage during the 1940’s. It became even more popular during the 1970’s through the
works of Anne Wigmore the popular Raw Food Advocate of Hippocrates fame.
Wheatgrass has been in use for these many years as a healing
substance protocol in many different health challenges from high blood pressure
and diabetes, high cholesterol and arthritis and the big C used as a treatment
for cancer sufferers as well as strengthening and building the immune system with
its high volume of enzymes. It is beneficial to those struggling with Aids and
chronic fatigue syndrome, digestive challenges and ulcerative colitis. It detoxifies the body and is quite energizing
when challenged with fatigue. It is also consumed to prevent colds, cough and flu
especially during the cold winter months.
Although wheatgrass is available in many different forms,
such as powder, frozen liquid, tablets or spray I am an advocate of the fresh
pressed liquid gold. In that moment of pressing the juice from the grass, the
smell of the high chlorophyll content permeating the air reminds me of the
smell of the sweetness of the first cut of lawn in springtime and helps me
enjoy even more of its nutrient wealth.
Since science has not yet caught up with the wonders of
wheatgrass, holistic practitioners in the field of well-care have forged ahead sharing its goodness and increasing its popularity.
It is used to support enhancing one’s energy,
with its high oxygen levels deposited into the blood stream. This green gold is
a good source of protein beneficial to those on a vegan diet, but should be
added to other proteins to obtain the complete amounts of amino acids. It has
more vitamin E than spinach, is a good source of minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium,
calcium, iron and potassium.
Wheatgrass is a good source of dietary fiber and has adequate
amounts of vitamin A and C as well as vitamin E. It is also an adequate source
of vitamin B6 and complex, vitamin K, copper, choline, thiamin, riboflavin,
niacin, gallic acid, pantothenic acid, a good source for minerals of calcium, iron,
manganese, selenium and zinc. Mr.
Schnabel has proclaimed in his research that 15lbs of wheatgrass is equivalent
in nutritional values to 350lbs of vegetables.
The high chlorophyll levels in wheatgrass juice can make it
intolerable to a toxic body environment. If drinking wheatgrass for the first
time or if you are an animal or heavy starch and sugar consumer you would more
easily tolerate its nutrient compounds when drinking fresh pressed wheatgrass by
reducing its intensity by adding it to another vegetable or fruit juice.
Wheatgrass can be grown at home in trays during the winter months
or in a garden or window box during the spring and summer months.
Jacinta “Jazz” Fenton is an Integrative Health and Wellness
Coach and a Cordon Bleu Graduate Chef
Blogger: http://inamangotree.blogspot.com/
Twitter: twitter.com/JazzFenton1
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N.B. Information in this article is not intended to replace
the advice of your health professional.
References:
American Cancer Society November 2008 “Wheatgrass”
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center “Wheat grass”
SELF Nutrition Data Nutrition Facts “Wheat Grass”
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