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Wheatgrass - "The primary herb for healing humanity."

Wheatgrass is young wheat normally grown in trays and ready to be harvested at 10 days old. Spelt grass, kamut grass and barley grass can be used in a similar ways and have similar properties, though wheatgrass is most popular. Wheatgrass has a general nourishing and restorative effect and is particularly effective in detoxifying the blood, liver and colon. Green foods have an alkalising effect on the body creating the conditions that welcome abundant health.

The therapeutic powers of wheatgrass can be attributed to the oxygenating effects of the chlorophyll it contains, as well as its complete spectrum of vitamins and minerals, amino acids, enzymes and essential fatty acids. Over 80 enzymes have been identified in it and it contains vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, B3, B6 and K. When grown on the most mineral rich soil, wheatgrass is able to assimilate and therefore supply, the full spectrum of 92 minerals and trace minerals, including zinc, selenium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, boron, chloride, chromium, cobalt, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, nickel, sodium and sulpher.

Grass, which covers one third of the planet, is the earth's richest source of chlorophyll alongside algae and alfalfa. Chlorophyll is sunlight energy captured by photosynthesis, and stored by the plant, to become available to those who drink it! This protein in plant life giving it its green colour has a special affinity with blood. When compared to a molecule of hemin, from hemoglobin, the oxygen carrier in human blood, chlorophyll is almost identical, it is built around a core of magnesium, where as hemin is built around a core of iron.

Grass is abundant; 9000 different species cover one third of the planet, from above the Arctic Circle, in temperate and tropical prairies, forests, savannahs all the way to Antarctica. Grasses have provided humans with a prime source of food since ancient times and in the present day 4 of the worlds top 5 crops come from grass. It is amazing to think how massive animals grow and thrive off it.

Wheatgrass juice is available in some juice bars, in powdered or tablet form through mail order or in health food shops. It is also very easy to grow yourself, can be chewed (turns into something like chewing gum), or juiced with specially designed hand powered or electric machinery. The juice is a beautifully rich emerald green colour and the taste is sweet and distinct!

Wheatgrass in Amsterdam:
Organic Noordermarkt - every Saturday

Growing Wheatgrass

You need:

  • Wheat grain: hard winter berries
  • Wide mouthed jar / bowl for soaking seed
  • Sieve
  • Trays
  • Growing medium

    1. Soak the grain 12 hours in pure or filtered water
    2. Drain and leave in a dark place, and rinse twice daily until the seed germinates
    3. When the small white roots appear as long as the seed itself then it is time to plant the seed (usually 1-2 days)
    4. Spread out the potting compost onto trays 1 - 1,5cm deep, breaking up any lumps so the texture is fine and level
    5. Spread out the sprouted grains in a single layer so that they are almost touching and little of the soil is visible between them
    6. Now water well without filling the tray
    7. To continue the germination process and to become established as young plants the tray must be kept in the dark for three more days.
    8. You can cover the grains with a thin layer of soil though this is not necessary, with some old newspaper or placed in a dark room. Another tray place on the top upside down is also excellent.
    9. During this time the trays should be kept moist but not flooded.
    10. You will be surprised to find your grasses very quickly pushing up their cover!
    11. When they are about 1cm in height it is time to bring them into the open light.
    12. Wheat grass grows very strong and spiky, when you brush your hand along the tops of the growing grass you will be amazed at the power in its growth!
    13. Keep watering without flooding. You will notice how thirsty these grains are, pretty soon the root system is making a closely woven mat on the bottom of the tray.
    14. After 7 - 12 days the wheatgrass is about 10cm tall and ready to juice.

    Recommended reading:
    Steve Meyerowitz: Wheatgrass, Nature's Finest Medicine 16,95euro
    Ann Wigmore: The Wheatgrass Book 14,50euro

    To Order your copy of either of these books please Contact us



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