Wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum L.): A Comprehensive Reference Article
1. Identity: Botanical Classification, Names, and Source
Wheatgrass, also known as the sprouts of Triticum aestivum (T. aestivum), is a dietary supplement with notable nutritional potential. The shoot of Triticum aestivum Linn. — known in Hindi as gehun or kanak, and in Sanskrit as godhuma — is called wheatgrass, belonging to the family Gramineae. Triticum is a genus of annual and biennial grasses, yielding various types of wheat, native to southwest Asia.
Wheatgrass comes from the family Triticum aestivum. People harvest it early in its development before it reaches full size, usually 7–10 days after sprouting. At this early vegetative stage, the plant has not yet formed the gluten-containing grain kernel and retains a distinctive nutrient profile.
Often referred to as "green blood" due to the high concentration and structural similarity of its chlorophyll to human haemoglobin, wheatgrass is a nutritional powerhouse. The wheatgrass juice contains approximately 70% of chlorophyll among its total constituents.
Common Forms and Preparations
The current forms of wheatgrass consumption include fresh juice, frozen juice, tablets, and powders, with compositions varying according to their production processes and growing conditions. Fresh juice is extracted using manual or electric juicers immediately after harvest. Powders are produced through freeze-drying or conventional tray-drying processes. Freeze-drying for 48 hours results in a phenolic compound content of 2116.73 mg GAE/100 g (dry basis), and conventional tray-drying at 80°C represents a viable and efficient alternative for producing wheatgrass powder with preserved nutritional and functional quality.
2. Traditional and Historical Use
Ancient Civilizations
Wheatgrass has been used for centuries, though its popularity as a superfood is relatively recent, particularly in the 20th century. Historically, ancient civilizations like the Egyptians and Greeks were aware of the health benefits of grass-based plants, and wheat itself was a staple in many early diets, though not always in its early-stage grass form. Ancient cultures understood the importance of grains and the potential of their young, green shoots to provide vital nutrients.
Ayurvedic and Indian Traditional Medicine
Though wheatgrass is not named explicitly in classical Sanskrit texts, Ayurvedic practitioners in certain regions of India have long used young grain sprouts ("gehu ke ankur") as a seasonal tonic. References in the 16th-century Rasaratnakara and localized folk compendia of Rajasthan describe crushing tender grass blades with water to extract a faintly sweet, green liquid for indigestion and sluggish elimination.
Wheatgrass is traditionally used in both Indian and Persian rituals and festivals. Hindus sow barley or wheat seeds on the first day of Navratri pooja and offer the saplings to the mother goddess on the last day as part of the rituals.
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Unani
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, wheatgrass is used to tonify the spleen, support digestion and help drain dampness in the body. Practitioners sometimes use wheatgrass interchangeably with barley grass. In some traditions, wheatgrass may be fermented first before being dried. Traditional use also crossed into Unani medicine under the name "Zamurd Sabz," where it was prescribed alongside rosewater for detox and to balance hot temperaments.
20th-Century Popularization in the West
The usage of wheatgrass in the Western world began in the 1930s as a result of experiments conducted by Charles Franklin Schnabel, an American agricultural chemist, in his attempts to popularize the plant. By 1940, cans of Schnabel's powdered grass were on sale in major pharmacy stores throughout the US and Canada.
In modern herbal medicine, the use of wheatgrass became more prominent in the 1940s and 1950s when Dr. Ann Wigmore, a notable figure in the natural health community, popularized its use in healing therapies. Dr. Wigmore, who founded the Hippocrates Health Institute in Boston, promoted wheatgrass juice as a cleansing agent for the body, an energy booster, and a remedy for chronic diseases. Believing that it contributed to the remission of her cancer, Wigmore wrote several books on the subject.
3. Chemical Composition and Key Active Constituents
Chlorophyll and Derivatives
Chlorophyll, a plant-based green pigment, is abundant in wheatgrass. Wheatgrass is a microgreen that has been utilized for its medicinal and nutritional benefits. Fresh wheatgrass is composed of chlorophyll, which has antioxidant and cancer-preventive properties. Chlorophyllin, a chlorophyll derivative, has demonstrated mitochondrial protection against oxidative damage. Chlorophyll has been determined to be the major active factor in wheat sprout extract that inhibits the mutagenic effect of carcinogens requiring metabolic activation.
Vitamins and Minerals
The health-associated properties of wheatgrass are based on its high contents of chlorophyll, vitamins (A, B, C, E, and K), minerals including iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), phosphorus (P), molybdenum (Mo), sulfur (S), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), boron (B), selenium (Se), and chlorine (Cl).
Phenolic Compounds and Flavonoids
Wheatgrass contains phenolic molecules including rutin, gallic, ferulic, sinapic, p-coumaric, vanillic, caffeic, syringic, chlorogenic, p-hydroxybenzoic, and salicylic acids, as well as bioflavonoids such as apigenin, quercetin, and luteolin. Wheatgrass is a rich source of various flavonoids, particularly apigenin, with anti-oxidant and anti-carcinogenic potentials. Apigenin, a flavonoid component, has been reported to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory efficacy. Other well-known bioactive compounds of wheatgrass are rutin and quercetin, possessing antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and numerous other pharmacological health benefits.
Enzymes
Active enzymes in wheatgrass include amylase, protease, lipase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, cytochrome oxidase, and transhydrogenase. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), an antioxidant enzyme found in wheatgrass, is responsible for converting damaging free radicals into hydrogen peroxides and oxygen molecules.
Amino Acids and Other Bioactive Compounds
Wheatgrass contains various bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, amino acids, chlorophyll, and essential vitamins and minerals, which makes it a nutritional powerhouse. It is also abundant in alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, steroids, tannins, and flavonoids. HPLC of wheatgrass extracts has revealed the presence of abscisic acid, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, chlorophyllin, apigenin, and rutin, conferring prebiotic potency and antimicrobial activity to wheatgrass.
Influence of Cultivation Conditions on Composition
Under non-growth limiting conditions, varying the nutrient levels (such as Mg, Ca, K, Mn and Na) and their condition (as water-soluble or in a soil matrix) led to wheatgrass with different amounts of minerals. Wheatgrass with higher concentrations of chlorophyll pigments and some of their derivatives, along with higher concentrations of phenolics and increased free radical scavenging activity, was obtained, confirming that wheatgrass quality may be improved by altering cultivation parameters.
4. Established and Proposed Mechanisms of Action
Antioxidant Activity
Wheatgrass's ability to scavenge free radicals has been linked to its antioxidant capacity. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), an antioxidant enzyme found in wheatgrass, is responsible for converting damaging free radicals into hydrogen peroxides and oxygen molecules. Several clinical trials have demonstrated wheatgrass's capacity to scavenge free radicals; these free radicals are responsible for lipid peroxidation of membrane and cellular damage.
Anti-inflammatory Mechanisms
Five- and 7-day wheatgrass extracts significantly inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated production of nitric oxide and downregulate LPS-stimulated various pro-inflammatory markers, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, AP-1, iNOS-2, and COX-2. The high concentration of IL-10 observed in some studies can be explained by the increase in anti-inflammatory components such as chlorophyll, flavonoids, and superoxide dismutase in wheatgrass.
Anticarcinogenic Pathways
The indole compounds present in wheatgrass might be responsible for the deactivation of carcinogens by increasing the activity of phase I and phase II xenobiotic metabolic enzymes. Components found in fresh wheatgrass juice also scavenge free radicals, neutralize toxins and carcinogens, reduce chemotherapy-induced myelotoxicity, and regulate the levels of specific pro-inflammatory cytokines like interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, IL-10, and IL-12.
Hematopoietic Mechanisms
It has been proposed that pheophytin compound in the wheatgrass would increase hemoglobin synthesis. The structural similarity of chlorophyll's porphyrin ring to hemoglobin's heme group has been cited as one theoretical basis for wheatgrass's purported blood-building properties, though this mechanism has not been definitively confirmed in controlled human trials.
5. Scientific Evidence by Area of Use
5.1 Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Ulcerative Colitis)
Twenty-three patients diagnosed clinically and sigmoidoscopically with active distal ulcerative colitis (UC) were randomly allocated to receive either 100 cc of wheat grass juice, or a matching placebo, daily for 1 month. This was the first controlled trial ever conducted on the subject, despite wheatgrass juice having been promoted for gastrointestinal conditions for over 30 years. A preliminary unpublished pilot study had previously suggested efficacy in UC treatment. The methodology was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design.
The study found that treatment with wheatgrass juice was associated with reductions in the overall disease activity and the severity of rectal bleeding. A small study and systematic review indicate that wheat grass juice may be helpful for ulcerative colitis. The evidence is promising but limited by the small sample size (fewer than 25 patients) and single-site design. Larger, multi-center trials have not yet been completed.
5.2 Beta-Thalassemia and Hematological Disorders
Studies are mixed on whether wheatgrass can reduce the need for transfusions in patients with thalassemia major.
Positive pilot data: In one clinical study, wheatgrass tablets were given to 40 children (aged between 2 to over 8 years) suffering from Thalassemia major on an empty stomach for a period of at least one year in divided doses of two to eight tablets per day (500 mg per tablet). This treatment was reported to provide health benefits by improving their hemoglobin levels, increasing intervals required between two consecutive blood transfusions, and decreasing the amount of blood required for transfusion.
Contrasting controlled trial: In a randomized prospective study, 69 children with thalassemia were divided into the wheatgrass group and the control group (no wheatgrass). Both groups received a regular blood transfusion and folic acid. The treatment duration was 18 months. Treatment with wheatgrass tablets maintained serum ferritin levels and increased HbF levels in thalassemic children receiving chronic blood transfusions. However, there was no reduction in the frequency and blood transfusion requirement. Wheatgrass tablets also improved the quality of life of children with thalassemia. A longer study with a larger number of patients would be required to confirm the usefulness of wheatgrass therapy in patients with transfusion-dependent anemia.
Iron chelation: Fresh wheatgrass juice demonstrated the capability to chelate, or bind iron, in a study of patients with excessive iron levels due to recurrent blood transfusions as treatment for myelodysplastic syndrome. The effect was similar to that achieved by iron chelator drugs. These findings are preliminary and have not been replicated at scale.
5.3 Cancer — Adjunctive and Chemoprotective Use
In a prospective matched control study, 60 patients with breast carcinoma on chemotherapy were enrolled and assigned to an intervention or control arm. Those in the intervention arm were given 60 cc of wheatgrass juice orally daily during the first three cycles of chemotherapy, while those in the control arm received only regular supportive therapy. Analysis of the results showed that five censoring events occurred in the wheatgrass arm and 15 in the control arm (P = 0.01). Of the 15 events in the control arm, 11 were related to hematological events. No reduction in response rate was observed in patients who could be assessed for response. Side effects related to wheatgrass juice were minimal, including worsening of nausea in six patients, causing cessation of intake. It was found that wheatgrass juice taken during FAC chemotherapy may reduce myelotoxicity, dose reductions, and need for GCSF support, without diminishing efficacy of chemotherapy. These preliminary results need confirmation in a phase III study.
In vitro (cell line) evidence: In oral squamous cell carcinoma, 41.4% cell inhibition was seen at a dosage of 1000 µg/mL of wheatgrass extract in 24 hours. When HeLa cells derived from cervical cancer were combined with the methanolic extract obtained from the leaves of T. aestivum, a cytotoxic effect was observed: an amount of 19.5–10,000 μg/mL resulted in an increased percentage of inhibition from 11.9–72.3%. These are in vitro findings only and do not establish clinical efficacy.
In colorectal cancer, the prospect that wheatgrass possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties, and its use as an adjunctive therapy, has been minimally investigated and evidence is still limited.
5.4 Cardiovascular Health and Lipid Profiles
Animal models suggest that wheatgrass may have hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects. Preliminary studies in humans suggest wheatgrass supplementation may reduce plasma lipid peroxidation in healthy volunteers engaged in regular exercise or atherogenic lipoproteins in hyperlipidemic women.
Research from 2017 in Asian females found that 3.5 g of wheatgrass each day for 10 weeks lowered total cholesterol levels and also improved levels of triglycerides. An animal study from 2015 also found that fresh wheatgrass juice helped to lower lipids and increase HDL levels in rats. Larger studies are needed to evaluate these findings.
5.5 Antioxidant Effects in Healthy Subjects
Preliminary studies in humans suggest wheatgrass supplementation may reduce plasma lipid peroxidation in healthy volunteers engaged in regular exercise. A published comparative study (Shyam et al., 2007, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine) examined wheatgrass versus spirulina supplementation and found reductions in oxidative stress markers. The evidence for this application is preliminary and based on small, short-duration trials.
5.6 Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders
Research indicates promising pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, and cardioprotective effects. However, human clinical evidence for anti-diabetic effects is largely absent; most supporting data derives from small-scale clinical trials and in-vitro/in-vivo studies that suggest potential benefits in managing metabolic disorders, where larger clinical trials are necessary to validate these claims and establish standardized protocols.
5.7 Digestive and Gastrointestinal Health
A review from 2024 noted that wheatgrass has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This may help with various digestive issues, such as colitis-related issues. The review also noted that while more research is needed, wheatgrass, along with a balanced diet, may have protective properties against colorectal cancer.
5.8 Topical Application
Young et al. investigated the effect of topical wheatgrass cream on chronic plantar fasciitis in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (Complement Ther Med 2006;14(1):3–9). Wheatgrass is possibly safe when used topically for up to 6 weeks.
Overall Strength of Evidence
Despite its broad usage, most of the evidence supporting wheatgrass juice's benefits comes from limited studies, emphasizing the need for more rigorous scientific validation. Since very little clinical evidence has been generated on this herbal agent, efforts are needed to conduct extensive studies on wheatgrass both in experimental models and human subjects to develop wheatgrass therapy with no side effects in prevention, cure, and management of chronic diseases.
6. Body Systems and Health Areas of Association
- Hematopoietic / Blood: Wheatgrass has been recognized as a rich source of protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that boost its pharmacological potential against anaemia and thalassemia.
- Gastrointestinal: Wheatgrass is a dietary supplement that is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants which contribute to health promotion in inflammatory bowel diseases. Wheatgrass has the potential to prevent cardiovascular and irritable bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis.
- Cardiovascular: Wheatgrass juice has demonstrated efficacy in reducing oxidative stress. It has also shown promise as an adjunct in cardiovascular health.
- Oncology (adjunctive): In a prospective matched control trial involving patients with breast cancer, wheatgrass juice, in addition to chemotherapy, showed myelotoxicity reduction potential and decreased the dose and requirement for granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support without affecting the results of chemotherapy.
- Hepatic (Liver): Wheatgrass has the potential to prevent liver diseases and is thus classified as a nutraceutical.
- Immune System: Wheatgrass juice has demonstrated efficacy in enhancing immunity.
- Metabolic / Endocrine: The high composition of nutrients in wheatgrass provides multiple pharmacological and therapeutic qualities, including anti-diabetic and anti-aging effects.
7. Dosage Forms and Dosages Reported in Studies
Wheatgrass juice is possibly safe when consumed as medicine in amounts of 60–100 mL daily for up to 18 months. There is not enough reliable information to know if it is safe to use longer-term as medicine.
- Ulcerative colitis trial (Ben-Arye et al., 2002): 23 patients with active distal UC were randomly allocated to receive either 100 cc of wheat grass juice, or a matching placebo, daily for 1 month.
- Breast cancer / chemotherapy trial (pilot study, 2007): Those in the intervention arm were given 60 cc of wheatgrass juice orally daily during the first three cycles of chemotherapy.
- Thalassemia tablet study (Singh et al.): Wheatgrass tablets were given to 40 children suffering from Thalassemia major on an empty stomach for a period of at least one year in divided doses of two to eight tablets per day (500 mg per tablet).
- Thalassemia tablet study (separate formulation): Tablets (wheatgrass powder 250 mg) were given three times a day for nine months.
- Cholesterol/menopausal symptoms study: In research on Asian females, 3.5 g of wheatgrass each day for 10 weeks was used.
- General consumer use: The average dosage taken by consumers of wheatgrass is 3.5 grams (powder or tablets).
8. Safety Considerations and Interactions
General Tolerability
When taken by mouth, wheatgrass is commonly consumed in foods. Wheatgrass juice is possibly safe when consumed as medicine in amounts of 60–100 mL daily for up to 18 months. Side effects might include allergic reactions, anorexia, constipation, and nausea.
Gastrointestinal Side Effects
Nausea has been reported following consumption of wheat grass juice. A study that looked at how wheatgrass affects children with thalassemia found that some users had gastrointestinal problems at first, but these resolved within a few days.
Allergic Reactions
Wheat is considered a major food allergen in the US. Wheat contents, including wheatgrass, must be labeled on packaged foods and supplement products. Some people have reported side effects after using it, especially in high doses. They have ranged from mild (headaches and nausea) to more serious allergic reactions (hives and swelling of the throat).
Microbial Contamination Risk
Because most people eat wheatgrass raw, there is a rare chance that it can be contaminated with bacteria or other organisms from the soil. Studies examining microgreens and sprouts, which share similar growth conditions, have found that these products are at risk of harboring E. coli within the plant tissue. Mold is another concern, particularly when wheatgrass is grown in humid, greenhouse conditions or if the harvested product is improperly stored.
Wheatgrass grows in soil or water and people consume it raw. Therefore, it can be contaminated with bacteria and mold that may be harmful to a developing baby, very young children, or people with weakened immune systems.
Drug Interactions
Since wheatgrass is rich in vitamin K, consuming it while taking anticoagulant drugs will cause drug interactions, so caution is warranted. The high vitamin K content can antagonize the anticoagulant effect of warfarin and related agents. Wheatgrass can interact with blood thinners and disrupt their function.
Vulnerable Populations
Pregnant women should be aware of potential risks associated with wheatgrass consumption, including allergies, contamination, and interactions with medications. People with confirmed wheat or grass allergies, those taking anticoagulant medications, and immunocompromised individuals should exercise particular caution due to the contamination risk inherent in raw, soil-grown products.
Gluten Content
Some people have mild sensitivity to grasses or cross-reactivity to gluten proteins. An undiagnosed gluten intolerance or wheat allergy could cause immediate digestive upset. It should be noted that wheatgrass harvested before grain formation contains minimal to no gluten protein in the leaf tissue itself, but the risk of contamination with gluten-containing grain material during processing remains a practical concern for individuals with celiac disease.
9. Summary of Evidence Quality
While small-scale clinical trials and in-vitro/in-vivo studies suggest potential benefits in managing chronic conditions like thalassemia, ulcerative colitis, and various metabolic disorders, larger clinical trials are necessary to validate these claims and establish standardized clinical protocols. The body of evidence for wheatgrass across all therapeutic areas is characterized by small sample sizes, heterogeneous preparations, variable dosing regimens, and a predominance of in vitro and animal data. The most credible human evidence to date pertains to: (1) reduction of disease activity indices in active distal ulcerative colitis (one small double-blind RCT); (2) possible reduction of chemotherapy-induced myelotoxicity in breast cancer (one prospective matched control pilot study); and (3) mixed results regarding transfusion requirements in beta-thalassemia. Most of the evidence supporting wheatgrass benefits comes from limited studies, emphasizing the need for more rigorous scientific validation.
References
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