Introduction

Wheat grass is the young sprout of the wheat plant that is high in vitamins and minerals. Wheat grass juice refers to the liquid made when wheat grass is blended. Wheat grass juice has been used to improve digestion and to cleanse the body. It can be taken by mouth as a beverage or powder.

Dosages

100 to 300 milliliters as daily

What Research Shows

Not Enough Data to Assess

  • Inflammatory bowel disease A1, A2
  • Thalassemia major B1
  • Ulcerative colitis C1

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

Safety Notes

It is likely safe to take wheat grass juice in small doses for a short time, but nausea is possible. Not enough studies have been done to say whether it is safe to use for a long period. It is also not known whether it is safe to take by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Interactions

Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse.

 

References

A. Inflammatory Bowel Disease

A1. Ng SC, Lam YT, et al. Systematic review: the efficacy of herbal therapy in inflammatory bowel disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2013 Oct;38(8):854-863.

A2. Langhorst J, Wulfert H, et al. Systematic review of complementary and alternative medicine treatments in inflammatory bowel diseases. J Crohns Colitis. 2015 Jan;9(1):86-106.

B. Thalassemia Major

B1. Marawaha RK, Bansal D, et al. Wheat grass juice reduces transfusion requirement in patients with thalassemia major: a pilot study. Indian Pediatr. 2004 Jul;41(7):716-720.

C. Ulcerative Colitis

C1. Ben-Arye E, Goldin E, et al. Wheat grass juice in the treatment of active distal ulcerative colitis: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2002 Apr;37(4):444-449.

Last reviewed July 2019 by EBSCO NAT Review Board Eric Hurwitz, DC