Health benefits of wheatgrass and wheat germ

2010

By Syed Akbar


Wheat is the oldest food grain known to man. It is as old as the history of agriculture. While the whole wheat has its own health benefits, practitioners of traditional systems of medicine generally prefer wheatgrass and wheat germ. Both wheatgrass and wheat germ provide the much needed nutrients and minerals to the body, besides supplying a good quantity of vitamin E, iron and vitamins of the vitamin B group.
Wheatgrass and wheat germ can be used almost everyday, but one should be extra careful while consuming wheat germ oil. Wheat germ oil contains sufficiently large dose of 
vitamin E, and consumption of any nutrient, mineral and vitamin in high doses is dangerous to health.
Wheat germ has been found to be quite good in treating muscular problems, by giving strength to muscles. It also gives the much-needed oxygen to the muscles when one takes 
up strenuous and laborious tasks. Wheat germ protein is a suitable natural antioxidant rich in nutrition. As we all known anti-oxidants prevent cancers.Thanks to the presence of vitamin E, wheat germ is considered good for muscles, blood circulation, eyesight, and breathing.
Regular intake of wheatgrass and wheat germ or their products will keep the skin healthy and glowing. It prevents hair fall and strengthens nails from becoming brittle.
While wheatgrass can be consumed in juice form, wheat germ can be used either in oil form 
or power form. It can also be used along with salads. While preparing wheatgrass juice 
make it a point to use a blender on a slow speed. High speed will damage the natural 
content in the grass.
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Quick remedies
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For easy digestion and a glowing skin, take a few grams of wheatgrass, clean it properly 
and blend it gently adding a small glass of water. Consume the wheatgrass juice fresh. 
You may add some honey for taste and extra health benefits.
Wheat germ oil is considered the best home remedy for removal of pregnancy stretch marks 
on abdomen and breast region. You may mix a tablespoon of wheat germ oil with calendula 
oil and apply gently on the affected portion of the skin. Repeat the exercise regularly 
for good results.
Some practitioners of traditional systems of medicine recommend wheat germ oil, castor 
oil and sunflower oil for relief from psoriasis. Take a teaspoon each of wheat germ oil 
and castor oil. Mix it with 50 ml of sunflower oil and apply on the psoriasis marks on 
the skin. Though psoriasis has no known cure, this combination of three oils will provide 
some relief from the skin problem characterized by its silvery scales.
If you want good black and long hair, then take a tablespoon of wheat germ oil, an egg 
and 25 grams of milk powder. Mix them well and apply on the scalp before taking head bath.
Wheat germ keeps the skin soft and silky. Apply the wheat germ oil on the body during 
winter. It may also be applied on the cracked lips.