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Wheatgrass juice has gained millions of fans around the world as a super-charged nutritional supplement. The juice is extracted from the shoots of Red Wheatberry, a strain of wheatgrass bred specially for this purpose.

Wheatgrass contains high levels of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins and essential for tissue repair. 1 oz of wheatgrass contains similar quantities of vitamins, minerals and trace elements as up to 2.5 lbs of green vegetables.

It also contains vitamins A, C, E and K plus at least 82 of the 90 minerals found in soil, including calcium, magnesium, Iron, zinc potassium phosphorous and cobalt.

Wheatgrass also has very high levels of chlorophyll, the green pigment which performs a similar function for plants as haemoglobin does in animals - retaining oxygen. It is thought that wheatgrass can increase oxygenation of the blood and benefit sufferers of anemia. The chlorophyll in wheatgrass is also thought to arrest the growth of unfriendly bacteria.
Wheatgrass can also improve the stability of blood sugar levels and combat pollution such as cigarette smoke and heavy metal poisoning, while reducing blood pressure and preventing tooth decay.
The high levels of protein in wheatgrass can speed up wound healing, and wheatgrass juice is recommended for athletes, dieters, and those recovering from illness.
The vitamins in wheatgrass juice can be helpful for skin problems such as acne, eczema and psoriasis, and for maintaining healthy hair and scalp. Some people even claim it can prevent hair from turning gray.
Indeed, some of the claims made for the healing powers of wheatgrass have been extraordinary. In the 1970s Dr Ann Wigmore used wheatgrass to treat cancer patients after saving her own gangrenous legs from amputation.

Of course, wheatgrass is not a magic potion and should be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and lifestyle. Interestingly, people with wheat allergies do not appear to suffer reactions to wheatgrass, however, as with any program of supplementation check with your doctor if you are going to be taking large quantities of wheatgrass.

Options for buying wheatgrass:
1. Buy freshly cut wheatgrass sent out in sealable plastic bags.
2. Buy trays of wheatgrass and harvest at home.
3. Grow wheatgrass yourself using a kit. These contain tray, organic compost and seeds, and can be bought in health food stores or online.

You will also need a wheatgrass capable juicer which is able to extract the nutrient rich liquid from the wheatgrass, and these are not cheap. However, if used daily over a number of years the cost per day comes down.

Other options which some people might find more convenient and economical include wheatgrass powders which can be mixed with water or juice and sprinkled on food, wheatgrass tablets or concentrated liquid wheatgrass. These can all be obtained online e.g. at wheatgrassforlife.com, or ask at your local health food store; staff there can usually recommend where to buy if they don't stock it themselves.

Learn more about this author, Daisy Taunton.
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