Barley is a type of grass. First appearing in Western Asia and Northeast Africa around 10,000 years ago, barley was one of the first domesticated grains humans were able to cultivate. Unlike barley grains, it is harvested from the leaf of a barley plant.

Benefits of Barley

• Contains fiber, which aids in heart health and digestion.
• Contains copper, iron, folic acid, and C and B vitamins
• Contains beta-glucan, which assists the body to regulate blood sugar levels.
• Contains insoluble fiber, which cannot be processed by the body. This limits the amount of cholesterol the body can absorb.

Wheat grass is produced from the fresh leaves of the wheat plant. Wheat Grass is formulated into a green powder often mixed with water or other supplements, and you may also see it in tablet or capsule forms. Originally created in the 1930s and sold as a health supplement.

Benefits of Wheat Grass

• Contains chlorophyll, which assists the liver in detoxifying any toxins from the body.
• Contains concentrated amounts of iron, calcium, and magnesium.
• Alkalizes the body by making it less acidic. This means your body is less prone to infection.
• Boosts your body’s nutrient absorbing capabilities in regards to Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and electrolytes.
• Shown to lower cholesterol.

Alfalfa is a member of the pea family and has been used traditionally for livestock fodder. It is a perennial plant, meaning it survives through the winter and sprouts again the following year. Most of the United States’ alfalfa is farmed in the northern and western states.

Benefits of Alfalfa Grass

• Contains anti-inflammatory properties, which blocks out pain signals to the brain.
• Contains vitamin K, which helps the body build bones, as well as copper, folate, and magnesium.
• Great source of vitamin C, which helps absorption of iron, supports the immune system, and repairing body tissues, to name a few.
• Often used to help lower cholesterol and controlling blood sugar.

Oat grass is part of the cereal grass family and is native to Europe and Asia. Traditionally used to feed livestock, it was eventually found to be a superb source of vitamins (particularly K, C, and B) and minerals for the human body.

Benefits of Oat Grass

• Contains beta-carotene, folic acid, iron, calcium, and fiber
• Improves brain function (cognitive performance)
• Helps relieve stress and anxiety
• Increases cell longevity
• Helps with thyroid and estrogen deficiency

Aloe Vera is an evergreen perennial plant originating in the Arabian Peninsula. It is also found all over the world in tropical climates, and known for its antioxidants and antibacterial benefits.

Benefits of Aloe Vera

• Improves digestion by increasing nutrient absorption and eliminating toxins from your body.
• Boosts the immune system with its detoxifying properties that cleanse the digestive system as well as the circulatory system.
• Multitude of uses for improving skin care, including small abrasions, anti-aging, sunburns, stings, and rashes.

Stevia Leaf is a plant first discovered around 1,500 years ago in South America. The stevia plant is a member of the chrysanthemum family and the extracted stevia is most often used to sweeten beverages without the added calories of sugar.

Benefits of Stevia Leaf

• Great for diabetics, as it can be substituted for sugar and helps control blood sugar and insulin levels.
• Helps with weight loss as a sugar replacement.
• Can help lower blood pressure by dilating the blood vessels and increasing sodium excretion.

Red beets are a root vegetable that contain a plethora of vitamins and minerals. This vegetable has been around for millenniums and originated in the Mediterranean Region.

Benefits of Red Beet

• Contains folate, vitamin C, and fiber.
• Contains anti-inflammatory properties, which inhibits the body from triggering inflammation.
• Supports the heart through betaine and choline, which reduces cholesterol and blood pressure.
• Naturally detoxifies the blood by cleansing the blood of toxins, heavy metals, and other waste.

Spirulina is made from blue-green algae and grows in fresh and salt waters. It was originally used by the Aztecs as early as the 16th century. It contains protein and vitamins that are beneficial as a supplement for those who don’t eat animal proteins.

Benefits of Spirulina

• Can boost metabolism and help manage diabetes.
• Can help detoxify the body of heavy metals.
• Can correct microflora imbalances by eliminating candida from your gastrointestinal tract.
• Can help reduce cholesterol.

Chlorella is a type of algae native to the Far East and grows in fresh waters. This algae is full of vitamins, minerals, fiber, proteins, and amino acids – because of this, it has become a popular ingredient in medicines and supplements alike.

Benefits of Chlorella

• Detoxifies heavy metals from the body.
• Used for preventing cancer and decreasing side effects of radiation treatments.
• Supports a healthy immune system.
• Lowers blood sugar as well as cholesterol.

Kelp is a large, brown algae seaweed that grows in nutrient-rich salt water environments. It is known for its fast growth rate (up to 0.5 meters per day) and vast underwater forests.

Benefits of Kelp

• Great source of iodine.
• High in antioxidants.
• Contains manganese and zinc.
• Helpful weight loss ingredient.
• Contains natural anti-inflammatory properties.

Dulse is an algae native to the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It is typically dark red in color and sold as either powder or dried leaves. Supposedly, pan-fried dulse tastes similar to bacon!

Benefits of Dulse

• High vitamin B12 content upports hair and nail growth.
• Provides bone-strengthening properties; rich in calcium, magnesium, and iron.
• Contain vitamin A and antioxidants that prevents free radical damage to the eyes.

Acai is a berry found on acai palm trees native to South American rainforests. It is known to contain a large amount of antioxidants and is considered a superfood.

Benefits of Acai

• Contains anthocyanins, which has anti-inflammatory properties; great for those who suffer from arthritis.
• Contains fiber, which is great for lowering cholesterol.
• Acai can also clear skin conditions and support brain and heart healt, thanks to its high volume of antioxidants.

An apple is a sweet fruit that originated in central Asia, but are currently grown worldwide. They are a member of the rose family and there are over 7,500 known varieties.

Benefits of Apple

• High in fiber and antioxidants
• Great source of vitamin C.
• Help with weight management.
• Suggested for helping prevent diseases like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

Blueberries are a dark blue-purple berry originating in North America, Europe, and Asian. This popular berry grows on shrubs, which can reach a height of 13 feet.

Benefits of Blueberry

• Good for your bone health, as they contain iron, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, manganese,
  zinc and Vitamin K.
• Linked to skin health, as one cup contains 24% of the daily recommend allowance of Vitamin C.
• Can help to reduce blood pressure. They contain potassium, calcium, and magnesium.

Strawberries are bright, red fruits prized for their fragrance and taste. Technically, they are not actually berries, but an aggregate fruit, meaning it is derived from a flower.

Benefits of Strawberry

• Rich in antioxidants and fiber.
• High in vitamin C, manganese, and potassium.
• Help support brain health.
• Aid in detoxifying the body.

Blackberries are a fruit grown from a vine like plant that reaches 3-6 meters tall when fully grown. Mexico produces and distributes the most blackberry crop in the world, and Oregon produces the most in the United States.

Benefits of Blackberry

• Reduce inflammation and boost immunity.
• Contains iron, antioxidants, vitamin C and K, and manganese.
• Promotes healthy skin.
• Helps keep the cardiovascular system healthy

Raspberries are another popular fruit and part of the rose family. It is typically 2-3 cm. in length and has a bright red/purple hue. Raspberries are believed to have originated in Europe and Asia.

Benefits of Raspberries

• Promote heart health.
• Contains fiber, potassium, and vitamin C.
• Help with weight loss.
• Can help ease arthritis pain.
• Known for age-fighting capabilities

Cranberries are a dark red berry that grow on shrubs reaching almost three feet in height at their peak. Cranberries are native to cool-temperate climates in the Northern Hemisphere. They are most often eaten as a sauce or in juice form.

Benefits of Cranberry

• Used to treat and prevent urinary tract infections
• Can reduce inflammation
• Cranberries are an immune booster
• Benefits the digestive tract

A goji berry is a vibrant, orange-red berry grown from a short shrub. It is that is native to China and traditionally consumed in the effort to prolong life.

Benefits of Goji Berries

• High in vitamins and antioxidants.
• Boosts your immune system.
• Promotes healthy skin.
• Stabilizes blood sugar levels.
• Detoxifies the liver.

Acerola is a bright red fruit native to the West Indies. It grows from a small shrub that flowers pink and white.

Benefits of Acerola

• Contains vitamins C and A, thiamine, and riboflavin.
• Improves heart health.
• Can speed up your metabolism.
• Boosts your immune system.
• Good for digestion.

A pomegranate is a fruit-bearing shrub that typically reaches 5-10 meters tall. Pomegranates originated from modern day Iran and Afghanistan. The skin is not edible, but inside is an abundance of sweet, edible seeds.

Benefits of Pomegranate

• High in vitamin C and antioxidants
• Anti-inflammatory properties that reduce arthritis and joint pain.
• Shown to fight bacterial infections.
• Helps improves memory.