Wheatgrass may look just like regular grass on a first look, but this magical little plant is loaded with lots of vitamins and minerals to nourish your body. Little wonder why it is the new favorite ingredient for well-being chefs and natural health enthusiasts. Fans of the plant say that it can prevent several diseases, detoxify the body and strengthen the immune system. This is not a new opinion, ancient medical practitioners, long before they even had the technological sophistication to know its real nutritional composition has been using Wheatgrass in the treatment of various ailments including constipation and rheumatism. You can find more of the benefits of this plant or find wheatgrass recipes at wheatgrass.com.
Today, we now know that wheatgrass is rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A, C, calcium, magnesium, iron, etc. It also contains fifteen or more amino acids of which more than five are essential which means our bodies cannot produce and they must be gotten from other sources. This contains antioxidants which help to reduce oxidative stress and cell damage. It aids digestion, increases the rate of metabolism and may be effective for reducing cholesterol levels. Experts also say that this little plant may help to purify the blood, boost the immune system, and reduce the risk of heart diseases.
Wheatgrass is considered as a vegetable even though it is derived from the same plant called wheat (Triticum aestivum). It is the newly sprouted leaves of the popular wheat plant and is typically served as a drink or can be used in foods. It is sometimes processed into dietary or food supplements as well. Learn more about this plant and its benefits here https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/wheatgrass#. This highly beneficial plant can be used in the following edibles
Juice: This vegetable should never be consumed in its raw form because it contains high fiber which makes it difficult for the body to digest. It is best and most popularly consumed in the juiced form. You can make wheatgrass juice by blending fresh leaves using a wheatgrass juicer or a masticating juicer. Regular blenders and centrifugal juicers will not work for this purpose as they are simply too fast and will damage the chlorophyll, and reduce the efficiency of the juice. The juicer is very easy to use, it extracts the juice from the plant all by itself and separates it from the pulp removing them from two different openings.
Wheatgrass is easy to grow in a private garden and this makes it easy to get fresh grass for juicing directly at your convenience. Click here to learn more about growing this plant at home. If you own a garden, collect the wheatgrass by cutting it from the base. Alternatively, you can get fresh ones from a food store as well.
Experts recommended between 1-4 oz of wheatgrass juice taken daily or as your health requires (in case it is used as a treatment for a health issue). This juice can be mixed with other drinks or added with other veggies to make smoothies.
If you do not own a juicer, this juice can also be gotten from stores or even from a bar. It is available in powdered form as well which can be easily mixed with water, smoothies and fruit juices. Wheatgrass juice cubes are also available as well. They will serve the same purpose as the powdered or fresh one.
Food: though, it is commonly and mostly taken in the juiced form it can also be used to make food as well. There are several wheatgrass recipes online for soups, flour products, etc. The powdered form is the most commonly used u food especially in baked and fried foods such as cakes, chicken, doughnuts. However, it can also be used in raw vegetable form. Other dishes that can be made with wheatgrass are vanilla or ordinary coconut muffins, wheatgrass and prunes dishes, key lime pies, chicken pies, pumpkin pies, brownies, oats, green salads and different types of bread. It can also be mixed with salad dressing.
Who should or should not take it?
Lactating mothers and pregnant women are advised not to take this plant. This is mainly because it is most times taken in its raw and unprocessed form and since it is cultivated in the soil they may potentially contain bacteria. Also, people who are allergic to grass or wheat should not take it and if they must do so, they should do so with caution. This warning also applies to people with Celiac disease or a generally weak immune system. Apart from the above-stated conditions, it is considered safe for everyone.
Side effects
Like every medicinal plant, despite its acclaimed benefits, this plant has some side effects as well, especially when taken in high doses or for individuals with peculiar conditions. Some of the serious side effects include:
- Nausea: This is most common with people that have a low tolerance for gluten or even to wheatgrass. Contrary to popular opinion experiencing nausea isn’t proof or a direct result of detoxification so, if nausea persists, visit your doctor.
- Headache: just like nausea, it could be a sign of intolerance from your body. If this happens, you should reduce the quantity of wheatgrass being consumed or dilute the juice with water or other juice to cover up the taste. Again you should visit the doctor if the headache persists.
- Allergies: your body may react negatively if you are allergic to wheat or grass. This could lead to reactions such as inflamed skin, vomiting, shortness of breath, congestion, and diarrhea.
Other possible side effects include constipation, stained teeth because of the green pigment, dizziness, loss of appetite, etc. kindly visit your doctor if symptoms persist.
Conclusion
Wheatgrass just like any other vegetable starts to deteriorates once it is harvested. Hence, using it fresh immediately is recommended. However, you can also freeze it up for short or long term preservation. It is always best to speak to your physician before taking any new drug or supplement so if you have doubts about this plant or experiencing any side effects, don’t hesitate to speak to your doctor.
