Ann Wigmore, the author of many books on the value of a raw food diet, initially found herself at 50 years old with many debilitating physical problems, and remembered how her grandmother had used grasses to heal the soldiers in WWI, and decided to experiment with their curative properties. Wigmore was a vibrant 76 when she wrote this book in 1985, with her weight the same as it was in her youth, and her hair returned to its natural brown. She explains everything you need to know about wheatgrass, and there is a lot to know about this most basic of all plants.
In the early chapters she notes the scientific data, Chapter 6 is about what wheatgrass can do for you, including weight control by "speeding up blood circulation and metabolic rate". Chapter 7 has instructions on how to grow it and juice it, and in Chapter 8, the many uses, including some nice mixtures to juice up a tasty and nutritious "green drink".
Wigmore explains "free radicals", and the damage they do to our cells, enzymes, and the power of chlorophyll, which is plentiful in wheatgrass. It is also an excellent source of Vitamin C, Vitamin A (in the form of carotene), B Complex, Vitamin E, and minerals like calcium and zinc.
Wigmore describes how to set up an indoor growing area, but for those of us who live in all-year-around temperate climates like Southern California, can like me set up a growing corner on a patio. I use roasting pans, buy my wheat at the local health food store (the red wheat is delicious, and very inexpensive), and use good soil.
Wheatgrass is powerful, so it's good to know all you can about it before using it, and adhere to the warnings to start with small quantities.
An invaluable book for anyone interested in joining "The Green Revolution", to improve their health, need less sleep, and enjoy the many other advantages of wheatgrass, and if you have cats, they'll like to nibble on it too.