ECZEMA, AUTOIMMUNITY AND WHEATGRASS

"Atopic eczema (dermatitis) is essentially an auto-immune condition."

This statement may raise a few eyebrows in the medical fraternity. After all, the classic teaching is that eczema, like asthma, is predominantly hereditary or genetically predetermined. Well, immunologically speaking, that is a well-known fact. But does the hypersensitivity associated with eczema explain the relapsing and remitting nature of eczema? Does it explain the nebulous variety of presentations that can occur, even in the same patient? What about the predilection for the face, neck, hands and the back of the elbows and knees? Or the fact that eczema can disappear for years then suddenly reappear for no apparent reason? Why does it respond to systemic and topical steroids and other strong immune-suppressants, then frequently rebound with greater vigour when they are ceased? Many of these questions remain unanswered.

Having successfully weaned thousands of eczema patients off topical steroids using wheatgrass extract, I believe I have something useful to add to the discussion. Because wheatgrass appears to be a topical immune modulator it ollows that there is most likely a significant autoimmune component to eczema.

An example of this is a patient of mine who, like her mother and sister, has suffered severe atopic eczema since birth. Nothing has ever given lasting relief or control of symptoms. However, all three family members have had complete, sustained remission of symptoms after applying wheatgrass spray once or twice a day for several months. They remain symptom and steroid-free.

If eczema is genetic in origin, then why have these individuals recovered from their lifelong disorder? Why do some patients with severe, lifelong eczema recover often after several weeks' treatment with wheatgrass? I've never known this to happen with steroids or other pharmaceuticals. In fact, what we usually see in atopic eczema is a chronic relapsing and remitting course, regardless of the treatment used. To my mind, the answer is clear. Eczema is predominantly an autoimmune condition. Genetic predisposition is important, but secondary.

So the burning question is, "How does wheatgrass achieve such positive results?" In my view, the answer to this question lies in isolating and elucidating the nature of the Grass Juice Factor. This I believe would unravel many of the hidden secrets of the power of wheatgrass.

In fact, a group of medical researchers in Australia have decided to investigate the possibility that the use of antibiotics in infancy and early childhood may, by suppressing immunity, have contributed to the global epidemic of eczema that we see today. Well, I have little doubt they are on the right track.

Dr. Chris Reynolds. M.B.,B.S.