Diabetic foot ulcers

Introduction

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

Having a tendency to recur, they may lead to amputation if blood circulation can’t be maintained and/or take months or years to heal. Many never do. However, wheatgrass extract (Skin Recovery Spray preferred) has healed many of these ulcers simply by applying a small amount over the ulcer surface once a month and keeping the wound clean and covered with a daily light clean dressing. The extract assists the healing process apparently by restoring blood supply to the affected area(s).

How do diabetic ulcers form?

Reduction or blockage of blood flow to a particular area can cause the overlying skin to break down. Because the nerves controlling blood supply have been damaged, (peripheral neuropathy), affected skin becomes vulnerable to even minor injuries that can damage the skin surface and also result in an ulcer. Fortunately though, diabetic ulcers usually respond well to wheatgrass extract by facilitating repair of the minute nerves that control blood flow to the area.

How should I use wheatgrass on a diabetic ulcer?

It is very important to think "Less is best" when using wheatgrass extract. Apply just enough to cover the ulcer surface - but - once a month only. Keep the wound covered with a light gauze dressing and bandage - and persevere. Do not over-treat.

Case #1.  Diabetic ulcer.

49 y.o. male. Left forefoot. Ulcer present 4 months and heals after two months' treatment with wheatgrass extract.

Pre-wheatgrass. Note central blood clot (hematoma).
Pre-wheatgrass. Note central blood clot (hematoma).
2 days’ wheatgrass. Hematoma has burst.
2 days’ wheatgrass. Hematoma has burst.
4 weeks. Ulcer almost healed.
4 weeks. Ulcer almost healed.
8 weeks. Ulcer healed.
8 weeks. Ulcer healed.

Case #2.  Longstanding (many years) diabetic ulcer (foot)

This wound healed sufficiently to enable skin grafting.

Daily wheatgrass treatment commenced. Note satellite ulcer (arrow).
Daily wheatgrass treatment commenced. Note satellite ulcer (arrow).
2 months later. Ulcer is almost completely filled.
2 months later. Ulcer is almost completely filled.
At 4 months, wound sealed by cell regrowth. Skin graft refused.
At 4 months, wound sealed by cell regrowth. Skin graft refused.

Case #3.

Big toe amputation wound heals quickly

Diabetic toe amputation due to infection/gangrene. No response to placental extract. Wheatgrass commenced alternate days.
Diabetic toe amputation due to infection/gangrene. No response to placental extract. Wheatgrass commenced alternate days.
5 weeks. Wound is significantly smaller & there is no pain or infection.
5 weeks. Wound is significantly smaller & there is no pain or infection.
9 weeks. Ulcer contracting, dry & no infection. Unusual as amputation increases risk of bone infection. Antibiotics were not required.
9 weeks. Ulcer contracting, dry & no infection. Unusual as amputation increases risk of bone infection. Antibiotics were not required.
At 4 months, wound is healed & pain free. No bone infection.
At 4 months, wound is healed & pain free. No bone infection.

Case #4.

Diabetic ulcer skin graft heals well in 3 weeks

Non-healing diabetic ulcer 6 months. Section of graft failed to heal (arrow).
Non-healing diabetic ulcer 6 months. Section of graft failed to heal (arrow).
Close-up of ulcerated area prior to wheatgrass treatment.
Close-up of ulcerated area prior to wheatgrass treatment.
After 3 weeks wheatgrass treatment, ulcer has healed. (arrow)
After 3 weeks wheatgrass treatment, ulcer has healed. (arrow)

Case #5.

Diabetic ulcer heals in 5 weeks after surgical debridement & wheatgrass

55 y.o. insulin-dependent diabetic. Ulcer 1 year. Day after surgical debridement and wheatgrass application. Treatment conducted in diabetic hospital, India.
55 y.o. insulin-dependent diabetic. Ulcer 1 year. Day after surgical debridement and wheatgrass application. Treatment conducted in diabetic hospital, India.
2 weeks later, wound is clean with rapid regrowth of normal skin around the wound.
2 weeks later, wound is clean with rapid regrowth of normal skin around the wound.
After 5 weeks daily wheatgrass extract, the wound is completely healed.
After 5 weeks daily wheatgrass extract, the wound is completely healed.

Case #6.

Non-healing diabetic ulcer (due to trauma 4 months earlier). Wound almost healed after one week of wheatgrass.

Surgical “cleansing” (debridement) of wound. Followed by daily application of wheatgrass extract.
Surgical “cleansing” (debridement) of wound. Followed by daily application of wheatgrass extract.
One week later, wound has almost healed. No infection present.
One week later, wound has almost healed. No infection present.
3 months later, wound completely healed.
3 months later, wound completely healed.

Case #7.

55 y.o. male. Non-healing ulcer on heel 4 years.

Note hematoma (blood clot) bulging upwards from ulcer centre. Daily application of wheatgrass extract commenced.
Note hematoma (blood clot) bulging upwards from ulcer centre. Daily application of wheatgrass extract commenced.
wheatgrass extract heals diabetic ulcer
2 weeks’ wheatgrass. Hematoma has burst, blood clot absorbed & new skin forming at the edges. Ulcer surface shows renewed blood circulation.
6 weeks. Wound continues to heal and is almost closed. Patient lost to follow-up
6 weeks. Wound continues to heal and is almost closed. Patient lost to follow-up

Case #8. Wheatgrass extract recovers diabetic foot ulcer skin graft

This 52-year old Type 2 diabetic patient suffered from peripheral neuropathy, where the nerves controlling the blood circulation of his lower leg were damaged causing a reduction in blood flow to the area. Eventually, a diabetic ulcer developed.

Operation left quite a large wound (Fig.1.) which required a skin graft. However recovery was slow,  so the patient began applying wheatgrass extract to the wound.

In two or three days, the wound had revascularised (blood supply recovered) and the open areas were beginning to close. (Fig. 2). After 7 days, the open areas of the graft/wound had closed completely. (Fig. 3.)

NOTE: Diabetic ulcers should be treated with wheatgrass extract ONCE A MONTH only. The wound is debrided (cleansed), in a  few days. Clean dressings should be applied daily throughout the treatment period. Healing may take several weeks or more.

Fig. 1. Pre-wheatgrass
Fig. 1. Pre-wheatgrass
Fig. 2. Closing of the wound
Fig. 2. Closing of the wound
Fig. 3. Wound closed
Fig. 3. Wound closed

Dr. Chris Reynolds.

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