Wheatgrass and Diabetic Foot Ulcer Cases

By admin,on October 12th,2011

by Dr Chris Reynolds

Diabetic foot ulcers are common in both Type 1 (insulin-dependent) and Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent diabetes) and can lead to considerable disability.

Because of the absence of suitable treatments,these ulcers tend to recur and often lead to amputation to part of the affected leg or even to the death of the patient. Healing,if it occurs,can take months to years,but many never heal at all.

Diabetic ulcers occur mainly due to reduced oxygen reaching the skin (ischemia) causing breakdown of overlying tissue. Also,the nerves controlling the blood supply may be damaged (peripheral neuropathy) which further reduces blood supply. The affected skin then becomes vulnerable to even minor trauma which breaks the skin surface. This is the beginning of an ulcer,and often considerable associated pain and mental stress.

Like leprosy ulcers,diabetic ulcers can respond very well,and often quickly,to wheatgrass therapy as shown by the cases below. Medical research and clinical observation suggest that wheatgrass may contain growth factors that repair the nerves vital to keeping vitally important tiny blood vessels open therefore allowing oxygen and nutrients to reach the damaged tissue.

The following patients’ulcers have only been treated every second day with wheatgrass spray and simple gauze dressings. Other than regular diabetic medication,no debridement,antibiotics,sophisticated dressings or other treatments have been used during the wheatgrass treatment period shown in the photographs.

Case #1 Diabetic foot ulcer (Left foot)


Fig. 1. Diabetic forefoot ulcer present 4 months in a 49 yo male. Unresponsive to orthodox treatment. Commenced daily application of Dr Wheatgrass Skin Recovery Spray. Note hematoma (blood clot) bulging upwards from ulcer centre.	Fig. 2. Same patient after 2 days’ application of wheatgrass spray. Note that the hematoma has burst,blood clot resolved and new skin is encroaching on the ulcer surface around its upper and central margins. The remaining ulcer surface is well vascularised and vital.

Fig. 3. Same patient 2 weeks after daily application of wheatgrass spray. New skin has filled about 90% of the ulcer surface and vascularisation is no longer visible. The wound is clean and exudate minimal.	Fig. 4. Same patient 4 weeks after commencement of wheatgrass spray. Ulcer is almost completely filled and exudate is absent.

Fig. 5. Same patient 6 weeks after daily application of wheatgrass spray. Ulcer is completely filled and lesion markedly reduced in size. No exudate.	Fig. 6. Same patient 8 weeks after commencement of wheatgrass spray. Ulcer remains dormant.

Case #1 Diabetic foot ulcer (Right foot)

(Treatment in progress)


Fig. 1. Diabetic forefoot ulcer present 4 months in a 49 yo male. Unresponsive to orthodox treatment. Commenced daily application of Dr Wheatgrass Skin Recovery Spray. Amputation being considered.	Fig. 2. Same patient. Closer view. Note satellite ulcer (arrow). Daily treatment with wheatgrass spray commenced.

Fig. 3. 2 weeks after daily application of wheatgrass spray. Revascularisation of the ulcer surface is clearly visible and new tissue formation is occurring around the edges. Note that the satellite ulcer has already almost completely healed. (arrow)	Fig. 4. 2 months after commencement of wheatgrass spray. The ulcer is almost completely filled,is no longer protruding above the wound edges and the surface is almost completely dry with early re-epithelialisation occurring. The overall surface area has reduced in size.

Fig. 5. At 4 months,the wound is clean,dry and completely covered with new skin formation. (Re-epithelialisation)	Fig. 6. At 6 months,the ulcer persists,but has not regressed. It appears larger due to debridement of surrounging redundant skin. The patient also reports return of sensation which may suggest recovery of peripheral nerve function. There is no sign of infection. The ulcer has not been debrided since wheatgrass treatment began.

Case #2 Big toe amputation site heals quickly

Fig. 1. 40 year old non-insulin dependent diabetic female. Painful open wound persists four weeks after amputation of big toe which became gangrenous due to diabetes. Treated with placental extract but wound very slow to heal and weeping profusely. Commenced application of wheatgrass spray every second day.

Fig. 2. After 5 weeks wheatgrass treatment and simple dry gauze dressings,the wound has contracted significantly,the surface is dry and clean and the patient is no longer in pain. There is no evidence of infection.

Fig. 3. At 9 weeks the ulcer continues to contract,remains dry and there is no sign of infection. This is an unusual outcome after amputation as there is always risk of recurrence,bone infection and further amputation. This patient has not been taking antibiotics.

Fig. 4. At 4 months,The wound is healed,clean and pain free. There is no evidence of bone infection. The patient’s medications are for diabetes treatment only.

Case #3 Diabetic ulcer skin graft heals in 3 weeks

Fig. 1. Non-insulin dependent diabetic patient,6 years. Had skin grafted over non-healing diabetic ulcer 6 months earlier. Part of the graft failed to heal (arrow),and did not respond to various treatments.

Fig. 2. Close-up view of ulcerated area prior to commencement of treatment with wheatgrass spray.