How to Grow Wheatgrass at home in 9 days

What is wheatgrass?

Wheatgrass is the young grass of the common wheat plant called Triticum Aestivum. It is gluten-free.

Wheatgrass has been listed as a superfood due to its multiple health benefits and is available in the market as juice, capsule, powder, pills, and tablets.

But instead of buying you can grow your own wheatgrass in just 9 days. Keep on reading to find out how to grow wheatgrass with and without soil.

Nutritional values of wheatgrass

Wheatgrass is low in calories and is a good source of protein( it is not a complete protein though). Wheatgrass is also an excellent source of fiber which can help reduce blood glucose. Also supports healthy digestion and people feel full for longer than usual.

Wheatgrass is a good source of vitamin A, C, E, K and B6 and also of zinc, iron, selenium and manganese.

Wheatgrass is considered to be a natural liver cleanser and detoxifier.

It acts as an antioxidant and reduces the free radical damage which can result in premature aging.

Health Benefits of wheatgrass

Wheatgrass helps in losing weight, treating skin diseases, reduces food cravings, stimulates circulation, reduces fatigue, treats arthritis, detoxes your cells, improves immunity, improves digestion and is also known to treat thyroid, cancer, diabetes and hormonal imbalance.

Cancer prevention and treatment: Wheatgrass may help prevent cancer and may also improve the effects of chemotherapy. May also help in reducing the side effects associated with chemotherapy.

Treating gastrointestinal distress: Wheatgrass is known to reduce stomach pains and manage minor gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea. It has high levels of enzymes that aid in digestion by helping your body to break down food and absorb nutrients.

Preventing and treating diabetes: wheatgrass has shown to improve blood sugar levels in people with diabetes because wheatgrass has effects similar to insulin.

Best time to consume wheatgrass

It is advised to consume 30ml of wheatgrass juice after you wake up on an empty stomach before breakfast. 20 minutes after you have taken your juice you can have your breakfast.

Note: For best results consume wheatgrass on an empty stomach.

Who should not consume?

Because of lack of information, it is not advised to be consumed during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

What quantity of wheatgrass can be consumed per day?

A typical liquid dose that can be consumed per day is between 30ml to 90ml.

The powdered dose is between 3 to 5 grams or 1 tsp. mixed with a glass of water or after taking 1 tsp of wheatgrass powder drink a glass of water.

How does wheatgrass taste? And how to make it taste better?

Wheatgrass is sweet but tastes like grass. It can overpower other flavors.

Combining wheatgrass with other ingredients that have a strong taste such as pineapple or lemon or any kind of citrus fruit can help balance the flavor.

ways to consume

Most people like to consume wheatgrass in capsule form which eliminates the taste and makes it easier to get a daily dose of wheatgrass.

You can even juice it in a blender by adding a little water and consuming the juice.

You can eat the grass directly too by topping it on your soups and salads.

Note: Make sure to wash the wheatgrass very well to remove contaminants before consuming it and if you are using capsules then be sure to buy from a reputed brand.

Side Effects

Some people may experience nausea or constipation after consuming wheatgrass but that could be because of its high fiber content and hence the wheatgrass should be consumed in a limited quantity per day i.e 30ml if taken in juice form and try not to exceed 100ml per day.

Sometimes wheatgrass may be contaminated by mold and bacteria so be sure to wash it thoroughly before consuming.

How to Grow Wheatgrass at home?

What you will need?

Jar or bowl for soaking wheat seeds.
1 cup of wheat seeds ( also called wheat berries).
A clean growing tray with holes for draining. ( you can use anything empty plastic containers or aluminum foil pans or plastic growing trays. Another tray to hold the drained water.
Soil enriched with coco peat or potting mix.
Paper towel or any cotton cloth or handkerchief
Porous cloth.
Spray bottle.

Instructions for growing wheatgrass:

Rinse the wheat seeds and soak the wheat seeds in cool filtered water overnight (8-12 hours) in a jar or bowl (covered with a porous cloth or cheesecloth).
After soaking overnight, drain all the water off the wheat berries.
Sprout the seeds by inverting the jar over a bowl at an angle which will allow the wheat berries to drain and also allow air to circulate.
Keep the jar on your kitchen counter.
Sprout the seeds takes about 24-30 hours, during the sprouting process rinse the seeds well three times a day at regular intervals and drain the water and put the jar back in the inverted position.
After a very short sprout is visible on the seeds they are ready to be planted.
Add 1/2 to 1-inch soil or potting mix to a growing tray with holes and keep another tray below to hold drained water from the soil. Discard the drained water collected in the bottom tray regularly.
After adding soil, water gently to moisten the soil. Avoid overwatering to prevent mold.
Sprinkle sprouted seeds evenly across the soil.
Using a spray bottle, water the seeds and keep them covered using a wet porous cloth( cheesecloth) or wet paper towel to avoid drying out on the first three days.
Keep the growing tray in a warm, shaded place for the first 2 days.
After the grass is 1-2 inches, remove the cover.
Keep the tray in a bright place with indirect sunlight after green shoots appear.
Continue to water daily just to keep the soil or potting mix moist.
For mold problems, increase your air circulation with a fan or air conditioning to keep the temperature between 15c and 25c degrees.
Harvest the grass using a knife or scissors. Cut the grass just above roots.
Harvest grass when a second blade of grass appears on the grass blades, or when the grass “splits” toward the bottom of the blade.
Only harvest once.

Note: Avoid direct sunlight at all times.

Note: Always use a pot or container with drainage holes at the bottom.

Grow time

Average growing time is seven to 12 days, depending on the weather, but still, always watch for the second blade of grass as you can never judge by how many days it has been growing or how tall the grass is.

Then start the process all over again with new seeds and soil. For a continuous supply plant wheatgrass every 4-5 days.

Storage

Cut grass will store in the fridge for about 7-10 days.

Conclusion

Many studies on the benefits of wheatgrass have shown good results but it has not been possible to know for sure whether wheatgrass can treat or prevent a particular medical condition.

It is safe to use alongside other treatments but be sure to take a doctor’s advice. But nobody should take wheatgrass as a substitute for medical treatment.

To test the benefits of wheatgrass try 30ml wheatgrass juice daily.

The results of researches are inconclusive for now but with time it can be determined if it is really that good.

Note 1: Take 30ml wheatgrass juice daily morning before breakfast on an empty stomach.

Note 2: Limit wheatgrass juice to 90- 100 ml per day.

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