Chinese Herbs: Spirulina

Chinese Herbs: Spirulina

Spirulina is blue - green algae, which, as many other non-pharmaceutical means, nowadays seems to be a very promising alternative option in the treatment of multiple health disorders.

Scientific name for what we commonly call Spirulina is Arthrospira platensis. It belongs to the family of several species of microalgae such as blue-green aphanizomenon (the closest “relative” of Spirulina) and green algae chlorella and dunaliella. These microscopic dark-green algae have the shape of spiral coils. Their color is explained by a combination of several natural pigments found in Spirulina: chlorophyll (green), carotenoids (yellow and orange) and phycocyanin (blue).

Amazingly, Spirulina has remained till our days, and is still believed to be one of the superfoods containing multiple nutrients, beneficial for human health.

Aborigines of Africa and America consumed Spirulina for centuries and made sure of its safety and positive influence on the human body. However, scientific research of these algae started only 30 years ago. Multiple studies were done to define Spirulina’s constituents and prove their benefits for human health (by the way, chlorella is also edible, but it contains less useful ingredients).

Although all the kinds of microalgae grow wildly everywhere, both edible species are cultivated at the especially designed algae farms to provide their purity and avoid contamination with toxic elements (unfortunately, the majority of the natural Earth’s resources are polluted). One of such places, where Spirulina is cultivated using ecological farming methods is Earthrise Farms, founded by Robert Henrikson, who devoted about 30 years of his life to investigating and growing Spirulina for food. Nowadays it is available in about 70 countries.

A great advantage of these algae is that they can be cultivated all over the globe in different climatic conditions on the most non-fertile lands, preferring, though, the hottest and the sunniest places, while these will allow Spirulina get the biggest bunch of phytonutrients so valuable and highly praised by the modern society seeking for the best and the most revolutionary dietary and medicinal options.

Robert Henrikson, being the author of the book about Spirulina, and many other scientists confirm that the algae show promises in:

- strengthening the immune system, making the body produce more red and white blood cells, as well as the cells, which kill viruses and germs, - increasing antioxidant protection, since this superfood helps fight free radicals responsible for body aging process; - lowering cholesterol levels, promoting weight loss (it is said to satisfy the appetite better than any other food) and thus supporting cardiovascular function; - improving gastrointestinal and digestive health, while creating beneficial flora in these systems; - promoting body’s natural cleansing and detoxification.

Therefore, Spirulina can reduce the risk of all kinds of cancers and help fight multiple viruses (herpes types 1 and 2, influenza, mumps, measles and even AIDS). It is also viewed as a possible treatment of anxiety disorders, diabetes and allergies, as well as a source of vitality, life energy, better health and stronger body.