I stumbled upon the greatness that is spirulina when I first transitioned to a plant-based diet over four years ago. I was reading a lot of books, articles and educating myself through videos and one supplement that kept popping up over and over again was this green superfood. You have probably already heard of it since it has gained a lot of popularity in recent years, but in case you did not know, let me fill you in! Spirulina is a nutrient-rich algae that is packed with chlorophyll (the pigment that gives leafy greens and blue-green algae their colour). This sea plant is made up of 60% protein and is a powerful antioxidant and immune booster, while also being high in vitamins and minerals. It contains essential amino acids such as leucine, lysine, methionine, threonine and valine, and is also rich in bioavailable iron and has been found to help treat anemia.
Spirulina is an organism that grows in both saltwater and freshwater. It is a type of cyanobacterium which is a family of single-celled microbes that are often referred to as blue-green algae. Cyanobacterium can produce energy by sunlight using the process photosynthesis just the way plants do.
* Glowing skinPower-packed with antioxidants, spirulina can give amazing benefits to your skin when it comes to glow and complexion. The spirulina face mask is the ultimate detoxifier that your skin needs.
* For acneSpirulina’s anti-inflammatory properties help in reducing acne and prevent further breakouts as well. It increases your skin’s metabolism which enables faster healing and prevents bacterial overgrowth. Apart from ingesting it, you can also use spirulina induced skin care products to combat acne problems.
* As a face pack- Add 1 tbsp. spirulina powder to 1 tbsp. organic honey and mix it well. Apply this mask evenly on cleansed face. Leave it on for 15 minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water.
- You can also make one more pack by taking approximately five grams or one teaspoon of spirulina powder and add a few drops of rose water to it. Mix this well and apply this pack evenly on your face. Wash it afterward with lukewarm water.
* For dark circles and premature agingChlorophyll is present is spirulina which helps in reducing dark circles and spots on the skin. Spirulina also helps in treating baggy eyes and fine lines. Tyrosine, Vitamin E and selenium are some of the active compounds which are present in spirulina which is very famous to slow down the symptoms of aging. Since it also helps tighten the skin, the very apparent signs of aging get eliminated and delayed to a great extent. The presence of almost all known antioxidants in spirulina, such as vitamin C, E, B1, B5, zinc, copper, manganese, etc., fight the free radicals, thus working as an effective solution for premature aging.
* For skin toning
As spirulina has a wide range of nutrients present in it such as vitamins, calcium, iron as well as phosphorus, etc. This makes it apt to be used for skin care and toning on a regular basis. It is known to oxygenate the skin from inside out, and likewise reduce the damage it receives due to heat and exposure to sun rays. It tightens and whitens our skin, and helps maintain the youth factor in our skin.