Many years ago I advised the people in Turkey and India, to chew grass in cases of starvation- and spit out the pulp again. In school we had learned that the pulp is only digestible for cows and their four stomachs system and the ruminating (rumen, reticulum, omasum, abomasum), but not for humans.

Last year (2012) I met the herbalist Bruno Weihs Brodt from Austria, who maintains a large self-sufficient garden and has also made many self-experiments. He explained that he had made the greatest discovery of his life: grass was not only drinkable by making juice of it, but also edible, if you take the fresh, young grass.

At first, he suggested orchard grass (see the foto left). Later on he changed to buy the "italian ryegras (lolium multiflorum) - also called westerwold . Generally the sweetgrass is used as a forage plant. I wanted to try this type, too. But then I found, that this commercial type of ryegrass is only a short-lived, non-flowering grass (non-fertile). Therefore, it was out of the question.

I also begun testing sweetgrass types like orchard grass (dactylis glomerata) and various other sweet grasses - such as quaking - as well as sea rush (scripus) - or moor-rush (juncus trifidus). I found all grasses digestible, that I had tried previously (identifying here), whereas I noticed the instinct lock while drinking the sea rush and moor-rush juices. As an experiment I drank 1 liter of sea rush at once during my stroll through a forest.. I could not find any discomfort of any kind. But I tasted some bitter ingredients and got a clear inner "stop"feeling, which meant that I did not go on with the experiment. However, I find the seedpods taste of the sea rush - as well as of the three leaf rush very delicious - and my body agrees with that. I can eat the amount that fits into the hollow of one hand. I have not tried more. It tastes like wheat cereals. This cereals are not cultured and poisoned with fertilizer. I guess, that it also does not contain too much - or no gluten at all, because after eating it, I have no afflictions with hayfever (pollenosis), asthma, or neurodermatitis (atopic eczema).

But here it is also very important: please try everything byyourself and in small quantities, before you start to eat larger amounts of any wild plant - or drink as juice - or even tell others, that it is eatable /drinkable.!

. Sweetgrass is already wellknown from health stores, wholefood shops and wellness oases and spa: wheatgrass and barleygrass. But this costs a small fortune, whereas mother natures gifts cost nothing at all! You can fetch all the abundance of the ingredients from the forest, fields and meadows! Sweetgrass in it's natural state contains an interaction (synergy) of well applicable goodnesses, like biol. chlorophyll (stored light), vitamins (vital substances), minerals, and trace elements, and amino acids (protein components), mono-unsaturated fats, enzymes (implements for the breaking down of the ingredients), as well as natural fiber and cellulose portions (for the cleansing of the intestines) in high density.

The sweetgrasses (poaceae = gramineae) are a worldwide widespread plant family - in all climatic zones, which are marked by the typical grasslike shape of the related types.

All cereals like wheat, rye, barley, oats, millet, maize and rice are among the group of plants of sweet grasses. Today they build the basis for feeding the world's population in the form of cash crops or for livestock feed; But they are so very overbred and made infertile as a one-year hybrid, that it would be really wise to prefer the fresh grasses from nature. As grass and grassland they shape the landscapes in many parts of the world with meadows, pastures, savannas and steppes. There are approximately 10.000 species of sweetgrass with more than 650 genera. Thus, they are one of the largest families within the flowering plants.

Also on the mountain tours I felt the tremendous impact of my Sweet Grass Juice, which I now call my "Power Vital sweet grass juice". Whenever I had not spared the trouble, to pick grass, to cut it and to make juice, I really had the power of a bear. Then I always raced away - much faster than the others! We have also made a nice video clip, that you can check out here:.

As soon there is grass after wintertime - and as long there is green grass in spring, summer, harvest, and winter - even under the snow, I collect a bundle grass - four times a week - in the morning or evening or during my mountain hikes. I prepare the grass as seen on the fotos below. We also take the grass-juice with us in the mountains. It provides us with incredible vital power. We can feel this especially hiking in the mountains. When I drink that grassjuice in the morning, instead of eating a banana - or drink it on my way - then I zoom off like a steam locomotive. I myself take all grasses, which I can get at the moment, that make me feel good. Bruno Weihsbrodt - the austrian herbal expert - suggests, to take only sweetgrass, because some types of gras can also contain substances, which are incompatible for our organic metabolism. I for my part prefer to feel from inside. I try the grass, which catches my eye - if my intuition says "yes", I try it!

Regina: "Vroni, what do you say?" Vroni: "Yes indeed! I absolutely agree with you"
So for example in 2012 I took 2 liters of freshly squeezed grass juice on a 5-day mountain tour in "Königssee, Berchtesgaden". The result was stunning: I dragged the 24kg backpack (usually I carry only 8 kg) up to the really steep "Rötbachsteig" (mountain path) - from "Untersee" (a mountain see) to the "Wasseralm" (an alpine hut). And from there to the "Kärlinger house" with comparatively great ease - and had no aching muscles!

I wish you much joy and many interesting findings while trying and making your own experiments!

Regina

The ingredients in sweet grass all act synergistically. That means, that only their combination causes a higher effect than the sum of its individual components. The ingredients produce a natural food, that is tasty, first - and second: healthy. It promotes the prodection systems in order to cope with free radicals. Specifically, the materials contained in sweetgrass have the following effect:

Decisive for the development of bones, teeth, and collagen fibers. A long-term calcium deficiency causes the body satisfies its need for calcium from the depots from the bones - the result is osteoporosis.

Is needed for the sugar and starch metabolism and for the breakdown of fatty acids.

Part of the blood pigment - it binds the oxygen in the blood.

Important for blood and bone formation. Copper is significantly involved in the metabolism of the cell and is essential for the function of the muscle. Copper is responsible for the transferring of the nerve signals to the muscles. It also helps the cells to secure their water content. Copper is present in some enzymes.

Is required for the formation of bones and muscles, and is an integral part of many enzymes.

Acts similar to calcium with the formation of bones and teeth. It is involved to a large extent on the extraction and utilization of energy in the body.

Has a strong detoxifying function - which is why it is usually called "MSM" known = "methyl-sulfonyl-methane".

Through a balanced combination with other recyclables, selenium is more effective in the composite, making it more bioavailable.

Required for cell division - important for the growth and renewal of cells (including hair).
Zinc activates various enzymes.

More than 20 enzymes have been detected in the sweet grass. Enzymes are needed to cleave food components and to make them usable in the bloodstream. Ffor example, the enzymes cozymase, diaphorase or cytochrome oxidase were found in sweet grass..

Leucine, Isoleucine und Valine are essential amino acids, that at the same time and in sufficient quantity must be present so that muscles can be built up. These three together make up about a third of the muscles and are therefore particularly important. Leucine has the greatest oxidation rate. Leucine stimulates protein synthesis and is therefore supplied separately, as it is to promote physical performance. Other amino acids in sweet grass:

The sweet grass is so rich in natural vitamins, that it is able to cover a wide range of needs of the human organism. Vitamins are comparable to "catalysts" that support the "Fabric Switch" optimal with antioxidants, by interrupting chain reactions of "free radicals" by emitting electrons without being transformed itself into reactive molecules.

Vitamin B 1 (thiamine) helps in optimum energy extraction from carbohydrates

Vitamin B 2 (riboflavin) ensures optimum nutrient utilization from protein, fat, sugars and starches

The body requires vitamin B3 (niacinamide), for the recovery of energy from sugars, starches, fats and proteins. Moreover, it is involved in the formation of neurotransmitters in the brain. Nicotinamide is responsible for the energy conversion in the cells and for the skin.

Vitamin B5, (pantothenol) influences the metabolism of fats, sugars, starches, proteins, as well as the formation of fatty acids.

Vitamin B 6 (pyridoxine) plays a crucial role in the metabolism of amino acids and is critically involved in the construction of proteins.

Vitamin B12 is the king of vitamins. No other vitamin affects that strong impact on the physical, mental and emotional well-being of the humans. It is not compareable with other vitamins. The most important tasks of vitamin B12 are found in the area of the nervous system, metabolism, blood formation and detoxification.

Vitamin B12 occurs as cyanocobalamin, hydroxocobalamin and methylcobalamin. It is called the "red vitamin" because of its color. It contains the element cobalt. Due to its complex structure, a synthetic preparation of the vitamin in the laboratory is not possible. Specially bred strains of bacteria serve as suppliers for vitamin supplements

Only a few people might aware, that the organism forms vitamin B12 itself, with the help of microorganisms, which are located on the green plants. So you should not wash wild herbs and the vegetables from the garden. .

Who still wants to wash his vegetables and wild plants, perhaps should fill his depots with an occasional tablet.

Two preparations have helped me years ago when I suffered a life-threatening vitamin B12 deficiency due to a serious cook food relapse. The symptoms at that time were very strong, pulling pain in the blood vessels, in spite of a feeling that I had strength and vitality, I was extreme fatigue - especially in the eyes with a strong pulling feeling, lack of concentration and extreme tiredness even though I felt physically fit. I was given a vitamin B12 injection by the doctor each day in my backside. But a few days later the situation went worse, because I even developed an injection phobia and also no I recognized no recovery, which could not be otherwise with the 100mg Cobalamin/injection. When I got the tablets from the Ayurvedic Raw Food Physician - Dr. John Switzer from Feldafing (Lake Starnberg) - (Company "Rocky Mountains") - all my symptoms were gone within three days! I also bought the tablets of "Puritan" and had a similar success with it.

An important aspect for the development of bones and teeth. It also regulates calcium and phosphate balance.

The natural vitamin E in the sweet grass helps to build muscles and to improve the function of the cells.

Vitamin H is a component of many enzymes, and is very important to the metabolism of sugars, starches, fat and protein.

Carotenoids are antioxidant, as vitamin A. Therefore, they protect the metabolism against harmful influences by "oxidation". Carotenoids such as beta carotene, alpha carotene, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin and cryptoaxanthine are an important aspect for the development of bones and teeth.