It is also used as a feed supplement in the aquaculture, aquarium, and poultry industries. Spirulina contains an unusually high amount of protein, between 55% and 77% by dry weight, depending upon the source and the care taken in dehydration. This algae contains eight essential amino acids. Apart from containing essential fatty acid gamma linolenic acid (GLA), it also contains vitamin B complex, other vitamins and essential trace minerals for health care.
It is also a major source of calcium and iron. This super food is the richest Beta Carotene food, with a full spectrum of ten mixed carotenoids. Spirulina is an ideal anti-aging food as it has concentrated nutrient value, easily digested and loaded with antioxidants. Beta Carotene is good for care of eyes and vision. This algae tones up the skin and prevents aging and wrinkles.
In animal and human studies, it has shown to enhance immune function. Spirulina lowers cholesterol and supports the immune system. It has detoxifying effects and reduces the toxic effects of heavy metals on our body. This algae is very easily absorbed, and so is a great supplement in times of sickness, digestive problems, or malnourishment. It has been used with success in care of malnourished children in poverty stricken parts of the world.
Benefits of Spirulina in skin care
It gives immense benefits for skin when used as food and when applied on it. The best way to reap the full benefits of spirulina in your skin care is to take it with plain water. When cooked with food, some of the skin care vitamins present in spirulina may get destroyed. Alternatively you can add a teaspoonful of its powder with raw fruit juices or milk shakes. It will smell like sea weed and you can get over the smell in a couple of days.Spirulina for skin care applications include facial care masks, moisturisers, cleansers, facial pack, hair pack, hair care shampoo etc.. Containing complete essential amino acids, it gives balance to the protein profile and the requirement of food gets reduced. Spirulina, because of its high protein content, functions as appetite suppressant and the body weight is reduced. This action of spirulina in skin care, leads to reduction of deposits of fat and improved health of the skin.
Teenagers require more proteins for the rapid growth of the body. Most of the plant sources lack some or other essential amino acid. Animal sources though provide complete proteins, they also add unnecessary fats to the body. This excess fat and hormonal changes cause pimples and acne in the skin of adolescents. Taking spirulina to fulfil the protein requirements, apart from controlling acne and pimples, adds a glow to the skin.
For reducing skin inflammation gamma linolenic acid in spirulina has been found to be very helpful. Spirulina is found to reduce allergies. The good presence of superoxide dismutase and beta carotene in spirulina, help in the maintenance of skin tone and remove blemishes and discoloration spots. Spirulina because of its immunity enhancing effects, helps in the prevention and cure of many skin ailments like, cancer, herpes simplex, measles, psoriasis, acne, eczema and inflammation.
Homely tips for skin care with spirulina - Spirulina in facial skin care
To remove excess skin oilTake about two tablespoons of spirulina powder and mix it with sufficient warm water to get a paste.
Apply the paste on the face evenly leaving the eyes. Leave the paste to dry on the skin for about 15 - 30 minutes.
Then rinse well with clean water and dab with clean cloth to dry the skin.
Immediately apply two or three drops of virgin olive oil to lock in the moisture. This procedure with spirulina, apart from removing the excess skin oil will tone up the skin and gradually reduce the wrinkles.
Spirulina as cleanser in skin care
Take half a cup of curd/yogurt, one teaspoon of spirulina powder, one teaspoon of honey, half teaspoon of lemon juice and a few drops of essential oil.
Mix the ingredients well and apply the spirulina cleanser on the facial skin and massage gently for 5 - 10 minutes.
Then rinse well. This will clean your facial skin, remove dead skin debris, open up pores and moisturise the skin.
Spirulina for skin care mask
Take 1/4 cup of starch, half teaspoon of honey, two teaspoons of spirulina powder, 1/4 teaspoon of lemon juice and a few drops of essential oil.
Add water and mix well to get a soft paste. Apply this spirulina paste on the facial skin evenly and leave it for about 10 - 15 minutes.
Then rinse well with water, dab face dry and apply two or three drops of olive oil to lock in the moisture.
Apply spirulina facial skin mask once in a week.
Your skin will lap up the vitamins and trace minerals in spirulina.
Your skin will get toned up and gradually wrinkles will go.
Spirulina for hair and scalp skin care
The protein rich nature of spirulina invigorates the hair and scalp skin from within and from outside.Spirulina protein shampoo
Take two eggs, 3 tablespoonful of yoghurt, spirulina powder one teaspoon, 1/4 teaspoon of olive oil and a few drops of essential oil.
Prepare this spirulina protein rich hair shampoo by blending the above ingredients thoroughly.
Apply to hair and scalp. Massage scalp skin with spirulina blend for 2 - 3 minutes.
Then rinse the hair. Regular treatment with spirulina shampoo will nourish the hair roots and scalp skin, reduce hair loss and hair fall, treat poor hair growth, dry hair and spit ends, stop premature gray/white hair and cure diseases of the scalp skin like dandruff and psoriasis.
Spirulina for nourishing skin bath
Take spirulina powder 2 teaspoons, olive oil one teaspoon, honey one teaspoon, lemon juice 2 teaspoons, one cup of milk and several drops of essential oil and blend them thoroughly.
Fill the bath tub and add the blend to the water and mix well.
Relax in the bath tub for about 15 minutes and get your body nourished by the spirulina blend.
Take care. The tub may slippery due to addition of oils.
Your skin will get nourished by vitamins and minerals in the spirulina blend and will tone up and put on a healthy glow.
For further skin care tips and information read the following post.
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