Extract from Living Foods for Radiant Health.
What is so special about wheatgrass?
Wheatgrass is generally acknowledged to be the best source of chlorophyll for
nutritional and therapeutic purposes. Other grasses have been tried for juicing,
including oats, rye, barley and spelt, but for a variety of reasons for growing in the
home the widest use is made of wheatgrass Cereal grasses of wheat and barley
seem to be very similar in nutrient content and therapeutic effect. They have been
used in different countries and used in research studies, apparently, simply
according to their availability. For example in Europe and the US wheat was used,
whereas in Japan much of the research is based on barley grass.
It is a well known story that the original choice of wheatgrass for juicing was made
by Ann Wigmore after allowing her pet kitten and later, other animals, to choose from
a row of trays planted with grasses of different kinds. This finding was reinforced by
the soil scientist Earp Thomas who advised Ann Wigmore in the early days..
Wheatgrass juice is chosen for its high content of chlorophyll. In well-grown
wheatgrass, in the proper conditions, with good soil, the chlorophyll content is up to
70%.
Chlorophyll is formed in the plant in the presence of sunlight by the process of
photosynthesis. This enables the plant to convert the minerals from the earth into a
form which can utilised by humans and animals. Chlorophyll itself bears a
remarkable chemical resemblance to the “haem” part of the haemoglobin of human
blood. Science has still not completely explained the relationship of these two
components of human blood, nor exactly how they work together in the body. The
Japanese food scientist, Dr Yoshide Hagiwara, suggests that chlorophyll can be
absorbed into the blood, because chlorophyll is fat soluble, and because fat
particles go directly into the blood via the lymphatic system. This would explain the
finding in certain cancer studies that chlorophyll has been found to increase the
blood count. We sometimes refer to the thrice daily shots of wheatgrass juice, taken
by everyone at the Centre, as liquid sunshine, while old hands assure new guests
that it is as good as a blood transfusion. This is not so far from the truth, especially
when taken regularly over a period of time. You can make your own experimental
observation. After a few weeks on the complete programme, having cleared the
system of all but deep toxins, the energising and sustaining power of the wheatgrass
juice will be experienced. The knowledge that this is building the blood, boosting the
immune system and providing essential nutrients, gives comfort and hope when one
is seriously ill. The body will always try to heal itself, even when we give it poor
nutrition and overload the digestive system. Knowing that we can prevent disease
and take control of a large part of our recovery is in itself a powerful factor in getting
well.
Human studies
There have been no specifically designed human studies or clinical trials to compare
chlorophyll therapy, along with its full naturopathic regime, with other treatments.
They could be done if practising clinicians would offer it as an alternative to
chemotherapy or surgery. Patients would have to be fully informed as to both
avenues in order to make a choice The problem is that conventionally trained
medical practitioners could not monitor these patients with the same degree of
confidence and experience as they can administer conventional treatments. One
difficulty is the completely different approach to health, disease and the healing
process. Another obstacle might very well be finding research funds. There are no
pharmaceutical profits to be made from encouraging people to buy a juicer and grow
wheatgrass for themselves.
For the foreseeable future it will continue to be the informed patient who takes the
initiative, refusing surgery or drug therapy, and looking elsewhere when conventional
medical advice can offer no alternatives. This is a minefield for them. It is not allowed
for non registered practitioners to treat certain conditions, nor to claim a cure, so it is
a puzzle to know how this state of affairs can be moved forward. Happily there is a
growing number of medical practitioners sympathetic to their patients’ wishes, who
agree to their trying other methods. Sadly this is sometimes on the basis that the
doctor knows the limitations of the drug treatment or surgery so there is nothing to
lose by agreeing to additional or alternative methods. At least this attitude is better
than actively discouraging the patient.
However, there is much anecdotal evidence. The most well known story is that of
Edie May Hunsberger who wrote her story of self-cure of cancer ‘How I Conquered
Cancer Naturally’. Betsy Russell Manning wrote a similar account. Dr. Maud
Tresillian Fere wrote in her book “Does Diet cure Cancer?” about her own self cure
as well as describing the advice she gave patients. In the Living Foods Institutes
and in specialist clinics around the world there is much evidence in the experience of
guests who have gone home to get themselves well, and more importantly remain
well for many years. These experiences unfortunately have neither been
systematically recorded nor investigated further. Individual centres may keep some
informal records which relate to the guests who stay with them for a short time but it
would be a vast undertaking to follow them all up long term and also to persuade
medical advisers to co-operate in the studies. We look forward to that development
in the future.
We should emphasise here that there is no quick fix for serious conditions, although
the first steps may quickly bring great changes . A complete health programme to
meet the individual person’s case, with meticulous attention to all the details, is
necessary to arrest and turn around a disease process.
The naturopathic approach concentrates on removing causes, and getting the
person well. Removing the symptoms of disease without addressing the underlying
cause leaves the problem to reappear in due course. A real and lasting recovery
takes work and time, years rather than months. However it is the first few weeks
which are crucial. The longer haul is staying with your individual programme until the
cause is eradicated. I firmly believe that all the elements of a naturopathic approach
must be used. I hesitate to use the word holistic here, it is rather an over-worked
word which does not always mean searching out every basic disorder and
imbalance. This is what takes the time and effort. The Living Foods Programme
( LFP ) is only one of such approaches. Its unique contribution to naturopathic
healing in today’s conditions lies in its superb nutrition and deep cleansing power,
but even these two powerful tools will be less effective if the rest of the package is
ignored.
Meantime we know the power of the body to heal itself, and there are some untiring
teachers and many books to inform and inspire out there. There are independent
colleges and university departments teaching natural nutrition and a wider
perspective on health and healing. There is also a minority of experienced therapists
who can support and advise on your progress as you follow your choice of natural
healing methods. Some have very powerful healing systems ranging from herbs to
energy medicine. In some parts of the world they have had to cross borders to
escape persecution for their successful treatments. Others have changed to teaching
after years of consultancy. Some of them began as medical practitioners. They are
not run of the mill practitioners, and there are not many of them, but there is also a
growing band of new therapists. Some have been trained by the ground -breaking
naturopaths and herbalists and they are beginning to make a difference. They are far
from being in a majority in any discipline, and need seeking out. You may have to
travel to consult them. They do not practise illegally. They may insist at every stage
that you consult your physician, and accept that the management of your case
remains with him. They do not care who takes the credit for your “miracle cure” or
when the original diagnosis is pronounced to have been a mistake. They just want to
help you to get well.
There is a great deal of evidence about grasses and grass juice though, in many
animal studies on the nutrient content of cereal grass juices, and their power to
nourish, aid recovery and prevent disease. There is also an increasing body of
clinical research on the effects of individual nutrients in prevention and cure for a
range of diseases in humans, including cancers. The early results in animal studies
were attributed in large part to the nutrient content of the dried grasses,. However,
the fresh grasses were then found to be considerably more nourishing than the
concentrated dried grasses. Cows eating fresh grass gave milk with much higher
nutrient content than when fed dried grasses in winter. Moreover, when juiced, there
is an even more powerful extra effect, which is as yet unexplained by science, and
which has been labelled “the juice factor.” .
It seems therefore, that the nutrient power and the capacity to heal of wheatgrass,
are related to chlorophyll’s resemblance to human blood, to the nutrients it contains,
and to the extra effect of the “juice factor” when used as a freshly pressed juice.
In human studies of cancer prevention there is one outstanding Chinese study of
30,000 people. As in many such studies, all the vitamins and minerals, mainly antioxidants,
which are found effective in preventing a range of cancers, are present in
abundance in wheatgrass juice The formal evidence seems to be catching up with
practical experience.
The range and quantity of minerals and vitamins found in chlorophyll, may explain
why wheatgrass is often called nature’s superfood. A typical analysis includes the
following:
2.8% protein, 2% sugar, vitamin A, all the B vitamins including B 12 and B 17,
vitamin E, vitamin K, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphate, potassium, boron,
chromium, copper manganese, molybdenum, phosphorous, selenium, silicon,
sodium, and zinc. The vitamin C content of chlorophyll also is high, one of the
reasons for the age old telling children to “eat your greens”. Sadly, many of today’s
children are not so encouraged; Those who do eat some cooked green vegetables,
often draw the line at raw salads. Few youngsters nowadays have the freedom to
roam the lanes and fields in springtime, nibbling the young leaves of dandelion and
sorrel or the tender shoots of hawthorn and petals of wild violets as country and even
suburban children commonly did only a few decades ago.
There is a surprising amount of protein in fresh leafy greens, and also in fruit,
surprising that is to those who believe that only animal flesh ranks as so called “first
class “ protein. A food is described as first class protein if it contains all the essential
amino acids, which all have to be present in the same meal, for the body to function.
The protein content of wheatgrass, which includes all the essential amino acids,
comprises aspartic acid, glutamic acid, serine, glycine, histidine, arginine,
tyrosine, alanine, proline, valine, methionine, cystine, isoleucine, luceine,
threonine, phenylalanine, lysine and tryptophan. In addition there are exogenous
enzymes; oxidase, lipase, protease, amylase, catalase, peroxidase,
tranhydrodinase, superoxydismutase.
This combination of vitamins, minerals, protein and exogenous enzymes (enzymes
which are not made in the human digestive system), is what makes all dark green
leafy vegetables such essential food. When they are juiced, especially in the case of
wheatgrass, we have the reason for their powerful effects. Juiced, the nutrients
are available much more readily. Several large platefuls of greens would have to be
eaten to obtain the same quantities of vitamins and minerals
Of course the Living Foods Programme does include generous platefuls of fresh raw
salads and vegetables, because it is important to eat them whole for the bulk and for
the fibre, as well as juicing them daily.
We can begin to appreciate how green juices, especially when they include a good
proportion of wheatgrass juice, give such a nutrition boost to a system which has
been treated for years to cooked and denatured food. Wheatgrass juice, used on its
own, has enough pure nutrients and enzymes to sustain life in very difficult
circumstances, such as an inability to take solid food. Its role in detoxifying the body
will be described in a later chapter.
The uses of Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll, especially when taken as wheatgrass juice or other green drinks has
many benefits and uses. They are; as a blood purifier and system cleanser; for cell
building and regeneration; as a protective and preventative agent; especially from
chemical carcinogens; as a vitamin, mineral and enzyme supplement, and a
digestive aid; for pain relief; to help weight regulation; as an implant to cleanse and
rebuild the colon, or a douche for vaginal infection; as a skin and scalp treatment
and shampoo, as a antiseptic for infected wounds, ulcers, cuts, burns and skin
problems; as a mouth wash and for massaging the gums, as an eye lotion and nasal
decongestant; as a body toner when rubbed on the skin; A tray of growing
wheatgrass generates negative ions and can neutralise radiation from television
and computer screens. Used over a period of time, along with the rest of the LFP
wheatgrass juice can remove toxic drugs and heavy metals from the tissues.
As a vitamin and mineral supplement it is much more bio-available than other
supplements so you absorb much more.
Wheatgrass is the cornerstone of the Living Foods Programme
In short, chlorophyll rich wheatgrass juice is too powerful and useful to overlook. As a
way to get well and stay well, alone or alongside another treatment, it has now been
used successfully by thousands of people. How to use it within the Living Foods
Programme, to get well and stay well, is described in the rest of this book.