Cosmetic and food grade oil.

Wheat germ is essentially the ''embryo'' of an unprocessed wheat kernel (wheat berry). Christianson calls wheat germ ''one of the real good superfoods … [one that] gives a fair dose of vitamin E, some B vitamins, zinc and some minerals.''

Wheat germ is believed to improve colon function, nourish the skin, lower cholesterol and boost the immune system. Wheat germ is available in its natural flaked form, as well as in an extracted oil form.

In his New Herb Bible (Fireside, 1992), Earl Mindell advises people with dry skin to use soaps containing wheat germ oil to minimize the depletion of the natural, protective oils in the skin. In The Natural Pharmacy (Prima Lifestyles, 1999), Schuyler Lininger Jr., D.C, et al., say that preliminary studies on the octacosanol present in wheat germ oil ''had promising effects on endurance, reaction time, and other measures of exercise capacity.''

Wheat Germ Oil promotes renewal of normal new skin cells. Used in cosmetics because of its large vitamin E content.

http://www.eaudrey.com/baby.htm

''Mother and Baby Care

Wheat Germ and Honey Skin Cream
Ingredients
2 teaspoons dried mint, sage, and rosemary
1/2 ounce beeswax
2 ounces lanolin
1/2 cup wheat germ oil
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 cup boiling water

Instructions
Put dried herbs in a cup or mug. Pour boiling water over and stir. Steep for ten minutes. Strain out the herbs and leave remaining ''tea'' to cool.
Melt beeswax and lanolin in heatproof glass in simmering water. Add the wheat germ oil.
Continue stirring and add the herb tea very slowly. Remove from heat and add honey.
Stir until creamy and transfer into containers.
This cream lasts about 3 months-longer if refrigerated. It is good for both mother and baby's over a year old. (Just in case...because of the added honey.)

Belly Oil

Ingredients
1 tablespoon sweet almond oil
1 tablespoon wheat germ oil
2 tablespoons jojoba oil
3 drops lavender essential oil
3 drops tangerine essential oil
3 drops rose geranium essential oil
10 drops carrot seed oil

Instructions
Mix all ingredients together. Shake before each use. Massage into belly area or anywhere skin is itchy or marked.
This blend of oils stops the itch from the stretching of skin-it may also minimize the appearance of stretch marks later.''


Wheat germ oil is an excellent source of Octacosanol, an alcohol fatty acid naturally occuring in wheat germ. It is also a good source of Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E. Octacosanol has been investigated long ago as an ergogenic (exercise performance–promoting) agent. These preliminary studies found that octacosanol had promising effects on endurance, reaction time, and other measures of exercise capacity.1 In another trial, 1,000 mcg per day of octacosanol for eight weeks was found to improve grip strength and visual reaction time, but it had no effect on chest strength, auditory reaction time, or endurance.1

References:
1. Cureton TK. The physiological effects of wheat germ oil on humans. In Exercise. Illinois: Charles C Thomas, 1972, 296–300.
2. Saint-John M, McNaughton L. Octacosanol ingestion and its effects on metabolic responses to submaximal cycle ergometry, reaction time and chest and grip strength. Int Clin Nutr Rev 1986;6(2):81–7.