Evidence supporting the use of: Spirulina
For the health condition: Colds (general)

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Spirulina, a blue-green algae, is sometimes used to support immune health and as a complementary approach to managing symptoms of the common cold. The rationale for its use is primarily scientific, though evidence is still preliminary and not robust. Spirulina contains bioactive compounds such as phycocyanin, polysaccharides, and antioxidants, which have demonstrated immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties in laboratory and some animal studies. Research suggests that spirulina can enhance the production of antibodies and cytokines, potentially supporting the body's defense mechanisms against viral infections.

Clinical evidence in humans is limited. A few small-scale trials and pilot studies have examined spirulina supplementation in relation to immune function, showing modest improvements in immune markers, such as increased interferon-gamma and natural killer cell activity. However, these studies typically do not directly assess outcomes in patients with colds, and there is a lack of large, rigorous clinical trials addressing spirulina's efficacy for preventing or treating the common cold specifically.

In summary, while there is a scientific rationale for spirulina’s potential immune-supporting effects, direct evidence for its benefit in treating or preventing colds in humans is weak. More high-quality research is needed before spirulina can be confidently recommended for this purpose.

More about spirulina
More about Colds (general)

Other ingredients used for Colds (general)

allspice
aloe vera
green chiretta
anthocyanins
apple
arabinogalactan
astragalus
waterhyssop
bamboo
barberry
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
berry flavor
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black garlic
black pepper
radish
black tea
blackberry
blueberry
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
bасора
capsaicinoids
carrot
cassia bark
caterpillar mushroom
chamomile
cinnamon
citrus oil
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
coconut milk
colostrum
turmeric
dog rose
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
ginseng
gooseberry
grape
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
horseradish
Indian tinospora
honeysuckle
jujube
l-cysteine
lactobacillus fermentum
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactobacillus reuteri
lemon
licorice root
lovage
lychee
marshmallow
mastic gum
milk
moringa
mustard seed
nettle
spruce
orange
oregano
oregon grape
pear
perilla
phellodendron amurense
phenolic acids
pineapple
plantain
plum fruit
pomegranate
pumpkin
quail egg
quercetin
raspberry
redcurrant
reishi mushroom
rhizome
rose hips
rosemary
sage
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
spearmint leaf
sphaeranthus indicus
spirulina
thyme
vegetable blend (proprietary)
vitamin B
vitamin C
vitamin D
wasabia japonica
water
yeast
zinc
sarsaparilla
squawvine
boneset
tangerine
typhonium
xanthium (cockleburs)
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
papaya
capsicum
mugwort
Indian bael
neem tree
nut grass
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
pistacia integerrima gall
commiphora
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
bee pollen
peony
lingusticum wallichii
boxthorne
buckthorn
lemongrass
yerba santa
chrysanthemum
siler root
flowering quince
dodder
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
morinda
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
birch
dulse leaf
purslane
fulvic acid
eucalyptus
menthol oil
aster root
peach
paw paw
abies spectabilis
horehound
Sichuan pepper
algae
indigo leaves
cayenne pepper
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
Alcohol
Ash
Aralia
Avens
Apple Cider Vinegar
Agastache
Alpha-terpineol
Ardisia
Angelica
acacia
Allicin
Anamu
Abrus
Amomum
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Ajuga
Andrographolide
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Andrographis
Asteracea
Allyl Sulfide
allyl isothiocyanate
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arani
Atractylone
Bee Propolis
Black Seed
Bermuda Grass
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Blackthorn
Broussonetia
Blepharis
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Bayleaf
Butea monosperma
Black galingale
Barleria
Bitter Grass
Bougainvillea
Bee hive
Bael
berry
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Banyan
Bur-Reed
Bioflavonoids
black salt
Bee products
Black Nightshade
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Buddha's Hand
Borassus aethiopum
Bitter principals
Bupleurum
Bassia scoparia
Belamcanda
Boerhavia diffusa
Borneol
Cumin
Camellia sinensis
Coconut
Chinese Silkvine
Curry leaf
Cinnamomum
Chinese Mountain Ant
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Cloudberry
coconut oil
Coriander
Chive
Carvacrol
Capillary Artemisia
Citron
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Cineole
Capsaicin
Cajuput
Chinese Raisintree
Chlorophytum
Cowherb
Curcumen
Cistus
Common madia
Curcuma
Cowslip
Calamus
Coin-leaf desmodium
Cinnamaldehyde
Costus
Carthamus
cola nut
Celosia
Culvers Root
Currant
Chrysophanics
Chondrus
Dianthus
Dodeca-2E, 4E-Dienoic Acid Isobutylamide
Dragonhead
Deoxyandrographolides
David's Milkberry
Desmodium
Dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/Etetraenoic Acid Isobutylamide
Ephedra
European Elder
Eupolyphaga sinensis
English Horsemint
Eclipta
Echinacea
Elder
Essential Oil Blend
European-Five Finger Grass
Embelia
Flavonones
Goldthread
Garlic
Lotus
Little ironweed
Mustard
Mallow
Potato
Rose
Spikenard
Sandalwood
Squash
Sumac
Vervain
Zucchini