Note:Herbal monographs are an effective way to present information on an individual herb, however please be aware that these are for information and education purposes only. We always advise seeing a professional medical herbalist if you are taking medication, pregnant or are suffering from a medical complaint.
Spirulina is sometimes referred to as a superfood due to its very high nutritional value. Spirulina is a blue-green algae, normally harvested from the oceans. It is a very nutritious sunstance and is one of the best sources of protein (gram for gram three times better than meat). It also contains 58 times more iron than spinach, and a wide range of antioxidants including beta carotene, a pigment called phycocyanin unique to spirulina. It is a good source of Vitamin b12 which makes it especially useful for vegetarians.
Name: Anthrospira platensis Spirulina Parts Used: Whole plant Native To: Oceans Trad Use: Nutritional deficiencies Mod Use: Weight loss, Immune system, Anaemia, Pharmacy: Powder: Adult Week 1: 1/2 teaspoon daily / Thereafter 1 to 3 teaspoons a day. Tablets: As per packet, generally as per powder (teaspoon is approx 2 grams). Indications: Nutritional Source: Vegetarians, vegans, low energy, increased exercise regime, protein source Misc: Constituents (mg per 10 grams):
Vitamins:
Vitamins
mg per 10g
mg (or micro gram) per 3g
% RDA in 3 g
Vitamin A (from beta carotene)
2750 ug
825 ug
103.2
Biotin
0.5 ug
0.2 ug
0.3
Vitamin B1
0.4 mg
0.1 mg
9.4
Vitamin B2
0.7 mg
0.2 mg
12.9
Vitamin B3
5.9 mg
1.8mg
9.8
Vitamin B5
-
-
0.3
Vitamin B6
1.8 mg
0.6 mg
27.6
Vitamin B12
16.0 ug
4.8 ug
480.0
Folic Acid
0.3u g
0.1 ug
0.0
Vitamin C
0.1 mg
0.0 mg
0.0
Vitamin D
0.6ug
0.2ug
3.6
Vitamin E
1.3 mg
0.4mg
3.9
Minerals:
Minerals
mg or micro gram per 10g
mg (or micro gram) per 3g
% RDA in 3 g
Calcium
27.0 mg
8.1 mg
1.0
Phosphorus
95.0 mg
28.5 mg
3.6
Iron
8.3 mg
2.5 mg
18.0
iodine
180.0 ug
54.0 ug
27.0
Magnesium
270.0 mg
81.0 mg
27.0
Zinc
3.0 mg
0.9 mg
6.0
Manganese
0.4 mg
0.1mg
N/A
Potassium
104.0 mg
31.2 mg
N/A
Selenium
70.0 ug
21.0 ug
N/A
Chromium
28.0 ug
8.4 ug
N/A
Amino Acids:
Essential Amino Acids
mg in 3grams
Non-Essential Amino Acids
mg in 3grams
Isoleucine
96.9 mg
Alanine
132.0 mg
Leucine
152.7 mg
Arginine
114.9 mg
Lysine
94.5 mg
Aspartic Acid
165.0 mg
Methionine
40.2 mg
Cystine
5.1 mg
Theronine
84.6 mg
Glutamic Acid
228.6 mg
Tryptophane
34.5 mg
Glycine
86.7 mg
Valine
108.3 mg
Histidine
27.3 mg
Phenylalanine
80.1 mg
Proline
58.5 mg
Serine
81.0 mg
Tyrosine
72.6 mg
Other Nutrients:
Fatty Acids
mg in 3grams
Other Nutrients
mg in 3grams
Alpha-Linolenic Acod (Omega 3)
50.0 mg
Chlorophyll
36.0 mg
Linolenic Acid (Omega 6)
25.0 mg
Total Carotenoids
15.0 mg
Gamma Linolenic Acid (Omega 6)
28.0 mg
Beta-carotene
5.0 mg
Phycocyanin
3840.0 mg
Actions: Contraindications: None indicated however seek advice if pregnant or breastfeeding.
References: References McKeith, Gillian, Miracle Superfood: Wild Blue Green Algae, Keats Publishing, Chicago, 1999
