Effect of wheat grass therapy on transfusion requirement in β-thalassemia major

Objective To assess the efficacy of wheat grass juice on transfusion requirement in patients with beta thalassemia major. Methods Fifty-three patients of thalassemia major with a median age of 16 years were given wheat grass juice tablets. Results The Mean pre and post wheat grass therapy, the pack cell requirement was 288.06 ± 53.25 gm/Kg/year and 301.25 ± 54.86 gm/Kg/year (p =0.054) respectively. No adverse effects were noted. Conclusion We conclude that wheat grass therapy for one year is not effective in reducing the transfusion requirement in transfusion dependent thalassemia.