About Herbs

Bottom Line: Wheat grass juice has not been shown effective in treating cancer or AIDS in humans.

The juice extracted from the leaves of wheat grass is believed to treat common colds, prevent bad breath, reduce high blood pressure, arthritis pain, and to treat chronic fatigue syndrome. It is also being promoted as a cure for cancer and AIDS. Proponents of wheat grass believe that the chlorophyll present in the leaves increases the hemoglobin content in the blood because both the molecules are similar in structure. It is also thought that the enzymes present in wheat grass help in ridding the body of toxins and carcinogens. However, none of these claims is backed by scientific studies. Wheat grass is not known to cause any serious side effects. The juice may be contaminated with mold or bacteria as the leaves are grown for 7-10 days before the juice is extracted.

Distal Ulcerative Colitis:
Twenty-one patients with distal ulcerative colitis were given 100ml of wheat grass juice or placebo daily for one month. Researchers looked at rectal bleeding, number of bowel movements, sigmoidoscopic examination, and a physician evaluation to determine the effectiveness of wheat grass. They found that patients who took wheat grass had reduced symptoms compared to those on placebo.

Agropyron, Couchgrass

Wheat grass is prepared by sprouting wheat seeds in water for 7-10 days before harvesting the leaves. Because the leaves are fibrous and difficult to digest, generally the juice from the leaves is extracted and consumed raw. Proponents of wheat grass believe that eating raw foods is more beneficial than eating cooked foods as the enzymes responsible for detoxifying the body are thought to be deactivated by cooking foods. Wheat grass juice is claimed to have several benefits, including neutralizing toxins and carcinogens in the body, preventing tooth decay, reducing high blood pressure, and aiding in the treatment and prevention of cancer and AIDS. It is also used to improve digestion, prevent hair from graying, for common colds, cough, rheumatic pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, ulcers, and skin conditions. However, none of these claims is supported by clinical studies. Proponents of wheat grass equate chlorophyll to hemoglobin and believe that consumption of wheat grass can increase oxygenation in the body. This concept is not supported by current scientific understanding and there are no data from clinical trials to substantiate any of these claims. A small clinical trial involving 21 patients with distal ulcerative colitis showed that wheat grass juice can reduce the symptoms associated with the disease ⁽¹⁾. No major adverse effects have been reported from consuming wheat grass. However, as wheat grass juice is consumed raw, contamination from the growth medium is a concern.

The mechanism of action is unknown. Wheat grass is a natural source of vitamins and minerals. Some components may have antioxidant effects ⁽¹⁾. The claims that raw wheat grass can 'detoxify' the body and that chlorophyll can augment hemoglobin production, are not supported by scientific evidence.

Ben-Arye E, et al. Wheat Grass juice in the treatment of active distal ulcerative colitis. Scand J Gastroenterol 2002;37(4):444-449.
In this study, 21 patients with active distal ulcerative colitis were randomized to receive either 100 cc of wheat grass juice, or placebo daily for one month. Rectal bleeding, number of bowel movements, a sigmoidoscopic evaluation, and physician evaluation were assessed to determine the efficacy of treatment. Researchers found that patients who received wheat grass juice had significantly lowered overall disease activity index and rectal bleeding compared to those on placebo. They concluded that wheat grass juice may be an effective treatment for distal ulcerative colitis. However, due to the small sample size of the study, the results may not be generalized. Future studies involving more patients are needed.