Where do these references come from?
Wheatgrass juice and wound healing - Response to Choice magazine
“Wheatgrass acts as an anti-inflammatory and has wound-healing
properties”
"Verdict: Limited supporting evidence. Good-quality studies are needed to back up observational findings.
The use of wheatgrass extract has produced clinical observations of improvement in symptoms and healing in patients with conditions including eczema, fractures, burns, osteoarthritis and skin cancers, to name just a few..."
properties”
"Verdict: Limited supporting evidence. Good-quality studies are needed to back up observational findings.
The use of wheatgrass extract has produced clinical observations of improvement in symptoms and healing in patients with conditions including eczema, fractures, burns, osteoarthritis and skin cancers, to name just a few..."
"...These observations are interesting and deserve attention, but it can’t be
assumed that the improvements were as a direct result of the use of wheatgrass. To support the observations, controlled clinical trials are needed, but only a few have been conducted."
assumed that the improvements were as a direct result of the use of wheatgrass. To support the observations, controlled clinical trials are needed, but only a few have been conducted."
We have provided more than just a few! See:
Research: Wheatgrass and healing (10 studies) A powerful Antioxidant (6) Anti-Ulcer (7) Skin Diseases (8) Cellular Rejuvenation, DNA Repair, Anti-Aging (9) Anti-Inflammatory (10)
Our Comments - Wheatgrass juice and wound healing
Dr Chris Reynolds M.B.B.S. (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) who runs a general practice in Melbourne, has used wheatgrass on a therapuetic basis (with positive outcomes) on over 30,000 of his own patients since 1995.
Interestingly, much of the extract from the Choice magazine article about Wheatgrass Juice and wound healing appears to be taken directly from Dr Reynolds’ website www.wheatgrassprofessional.info.
Dr Reynolds is one of the current, leading contemporaries prescribing wheatgrass for healing. Not once was he contacted by Choice Magazine for information regarding the many studies, research and the thousands of case studies that he has personally conducted.
"...One trial (in 2002) of patients with active distal ulcerative colitis —
an inflammatory disease of the bowel — found that the severity of some symptoms of the disease was significantly reduced in the group receiving 100 mL of wheatgrass juice compared with those on a placebo, and the conclusion was that it may be an effective treatment for this condition. The results are promising, but the sample size was small — just 21 patients, with only 19 completing the trial — so results can’t be generalised..."
an inflammatory disease of the bowel — found that the severity of some symptoms of the disease was significantly reduced in the group receiving 100 mL of wheatgrass juice compared with those on a placebo, and the conclusion was that it may be an effective treatment for this condition. The results are promising, but the sample size was small — just 21 patients, with only 19 completing the trial — so results can’t be generalised..."
We believe she is referring to the trial discussed in the article titled “Ben-Arye 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;37:444-449”(2)
To read the whole article Wheat grass juice in the treatment of active distal ulcerative colitis
Here is another summary of the trial - http://www.wheatgrassprofessional.info/ulc_colitis.htm
"...No trials since have have confirmed its findings."
What evidence can Choice provide to support this statement?
"In a clinical setting, some improvements in symptoms have been seen
when a cream containing wheatgrass extract has been used to treat plantar asciitis — an injury affecting the sole of the foot, which becomes painful and tender. But when put to the test in a randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled trial, the application of wheatgrass cream was found to be no more effective than the placebo."
when a cream containing wheatgrass extract has been used to treat plantar asciitis — an injury affecting the sole of the foot, which becomes painful and tender. But when put to the test in a randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled trial, the application of wheatgrass cream was found to be no more effective than the placebo."
Since the test the wheatgrass treatment is no longer used as it had not been proven to be effective. This happens often in conventional medicine too (Note: correct spelling - Plantar Fasciitis)
So, Choice magazine have referred to 2 trials that have been done on wheatgrass. One that showed positive results “Wheat grass juice appeared effective and safe as a single or adjuvant treatment of active distal UC”, and one that showed unsuccessful results “The topical application of wheatgrass cream is no more effective than a placebo cream for the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis.”
As mentioned above, here are a large number of other research articles and trials into the healing and therapuetic uses of wheatgrass and other cereal grasses. These are summaries of research and trials that Choice magazine may have missed, that show very positive results.
- Research: Wheatgrass and healing (10 studies)
- A powerful Antioxidant (6)
- Anti-Ulcer (7)
- Skin Diseases (8)
- Cellular Rejuvenation, DNA Repair, Anti-Aging (9)
- Anti-Inflammatory (10)
Conclusion - Wheatgrass juice and wound healing:
There have been a considerable number of research studies done into the therapeutic benefits of wheatgrassand other cereal grasses. As stated by Choice magazine, wheatgrass has been shown to be completely safe and without side affects. As the research shows, cereal grasses, including wheatgrass have been found to be effective as a therapeutic substance both internally and externally.
View next topic Wheatgrass and red blood cells
or go back to main page Choice magazine compares wheatgrass to Coffee and Coke!
Overall conclusion of Choice magazine's article - “Wheatgrass…It’s the health tonic of the moment, but where’s the evidence for its benefits?”
