Spirulina is a blue-green algae used as a nutrient-rich supplement to help treat a variety of illnesses. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that this plant supplement protects against allergic reactions by strengthening the immune system. It also inhibits the release of the chemical histamine, which triggers allergy symptoms such as nasal congestion, watery eyes, hives and allergy-related asthma. This type of asthma causes wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. Hence, spirulina supplements have been shown to be beneficial in helping to treat mild to moderate asthma. Consult your doctor about using spirulina to decrease your asthma symptoms.
Step 1
Consult your doctor about using spirulina to treat your asthma symptoms. Asthma can be a potentially serious illness; take all medications necessary exactly as prescribed. Use spirulina alone for milder cases of allergy-induced asthma or in conjunction with other treatments as advised by your doctor.
Step 2
Purchase spirulina supplements. These are available in pill or powder form. Check the ingredients on the supplements to ensure that they do not contain any substances you are allergic to. Spirulina also is available in dried or freeze-dried form for use with cooking or in a salad, but these food supplements might not provide a measured, medicinal dose of spirulina to help asthma symptoms.
Step 3
Consult a nutritionist or herbalist about the correct amount of spirulina to treat asthma or follow the manufacturer's dosage guidelines. The recommended dose is four to six tablets of 500 mg tablets of spirulina per day. Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water in two to three divided doses during the day. Take spirulina with or without food.
Tips and Warnings
- There are several varieties of spirulina. The most commonly used types in the U.S. are Spirulina maxima and Spirulina platensis, which are cultivated in Mexico and California. Check the supplement for the type of algae used and purchase a reputable brand from a health food store.
- Severe cases of asthma potentially can be fatal; do not self-medicate with supplements and do not stop any prescribed medications without consulting your doctor. Spirulina will not stop an asthma attack. Use your prescribed bronchodilator medication to ease an attack. Though spirulina is thought to be safe to use as a supplement, it might be contaminated with other chemicals. Do not overuse spirulina. Purchase only recommended brands that have been tested. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take spirulina, as this product has not undergone sufficient testing. People with the metabolic disorder phenylketonuria, or PKU, should not use spirulina. This algae contains high amounts of amino acids including phenylalanine, which cannot be digested by people with PKU.
Things You'll Need
- Spirulina supplements
