Description
Botanical: Chlorella pyrenoidosa
Family: Chlorellaceae (green micro-algae)
Chlorella is the world's highest-known source of chlorophyll, and it is also one of the most nutritious substances on earth. Loaded with vitamins, important minerals and nucleic acid, this green alga is truly a gift of nature that is virtually a complete food. Cracked-cell Chlorella is used to improve digestion, purify the blood, enhance immune function and possibly even slow down the ageing process.
Country of Origin: South Korea
Beneficial Uses:
Chlorella is said to stimulate and normalize an underactive bowel and thereby assist in the treatment of constipation. The high chlorophyll content is thought to detoxify the body by promoting the growth of healthy bacteria in the bowel that promote colon health and keep the bowel clean. Disease causing bacteria find it difficult to live in the presence of chlorophyll. Chlorella is said to be helpful in cases of ulcerative colitis.
Further cleansing the body of toxins, the tough cellulose membrane of Chlorella that is not digested binds to heavy metals and eliminates them from the body. Chlorella pyrenoidosa has been used medicinally as a chelatory agent, for example, to extract mercury and other heavy metals from the body.
With regard to slowing the ageing process, exciting studies have noted that Chlorella possesses a nucleotide-peptide complex, which is mostly composed of nucleic acid derivatives and produced during the intense photosynthesis that enable Chlorella to grow at such a rapid rate. This factor appears to promote accelerated growth and enhance RNA and DNA functions. The nucleic acids help to repair damaged genetic material in human cells and may possibly retard the ageing process.
Chlorella is said to cleanse the bloodstream, enabling the blood to circulate freely and carry wastes from bodily tissues, thereby also strengthening the immune system. When all of our bodies' systems are functioning well, we are able to eliminate poisons, repair damage, combat colds and flu and ward off viruses and disease.
By nourishing the liver, Chlorella is said to help promote healthy liver function, and its ability to eliminate toxins in the liver further protects it from malfunctions. Chlorella is also said to support and maintain healthy blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which may also boost liver metabolism.
Chlorophyll-rich foods have been shown to stop bacterial growth, counteract yeast and fungi and detoxify the body of drugs and carcinogens, and because cholorophyll supports the liver, it is also believed to counteract the toxic effects of modern western dietary habits.
Because Chlorella contains such a high chlorophyll content, it is thought to be effective in counteracting bad breath and body odor. The herb also helps to decrease urine and fecal odors due to incontinence.
Chlorella is one of the few edible species of water-grown algae, and since it is virtually a perfect food, it provides nutrition and protein, especially for people who cannot or who choose not to eat meat.
Clinical studies demonstrated that Chlorella pyrenoidosa has the ability to reduce high blood pressure and lower serum cholesterol levels.
Contraindications:
Chlorella is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women. The herb may increase some people's sensitivity to sunlight or sunburn. Those who take warfarin or other anti-coagulant meds should not use chlorella, since it contains vitamin K1 (an aid to blood clotting).
