History

The idea that one can eat and live on grass appears to have originated in the Bible. According to the Book of Daniel 4:31-6, King Nebuchadnezzar, "... did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with dew of heaven, until his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds claws". Nebuchadnezzar’s grass diet lasted until "... seven times shall pass over thee..." then "At the same time my reason returned unto me; ...". This unlikely story suggested to Ann Wigmore (1909-1994) that grass was more than just cow fodder — it could cure insanity.

Influenced by the findings of Dr. G.H. Earp-Thomas and Dr. C. Schnabel who believed that wheatgrass and other grasses contained many vital nutrients which would be beneficial to human health, Wigmore successfully experimented on herself and cured an intestinal problem. In 1963 she established the Ann Wigmore Institute where, in addition to wheatgrass therapy, she also promoted "natural hygiene," acupuncture, colour and spot therapy, reflexology and hydrotherapy.
 

Theory

That the enzymes found in raw wheatgrass are "alive" and can "detoxify" the body by ingestion and enemas. That the chlorophyll in wheatgrass can cure cancer.
 

Practice

Ingestion of a preparation made from sprouting wheat berries. Wigmore believed that it was the chlorophyll that provided the cure.


Assessment

Ann Wigmore's qualifications were, to say the least, suspect. She claimed to have a Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) from the College of Divine Metaphysics in Indianapolis. A Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and a Doctor of Naturopathy (N.D). None however, appear to have been from accredited schools.

Like John Armstrong's Urine Therapy, the Biblical story on which Wigmore’s theory is based is hardly scientific. The Bible story did not mention that Nebuchadnezzar would also need a four compartmental stomach to enable him to ruminate, or a change of dentures with which to masticate.

The fact that grass-eating animals are also subject to cancer tends to put the lid on the anti-cancer claim, and Wigmore’s knowledge of enzymes leaves much to be desired. Chlorophyll cannot "detoxify" the body since it is not absorbed.
 
Although wheatgrass juice is not dangerous in itself, as an enema there is always the possibility of perforation of the bowel during enema tube insertion.

There is no scientific evidence to support the claims made on behalf of this therapy.
 

References :

Bidlack, W.R. Meskin, M.S. 1989. Nutritional Quackery: Selling Health Misinformation. California Pharmacist. 1989. 36:(8):34.

Raso, J. 1994. "Alternative" Healthcare. Prometheus Books, Buffalo, NY.

Thomas. 1988. Woman sued over soup "cure". Medical World News. June 13, 1988, No. 67.

Wigmore, Ann. 1985. The Wheatgrass Book: How to Grow and Use Wheatgrass to Maximise Your Health and Vitality. Avery Publishing Group, New Jersey.