Spirulina has shown some promise for reducing symptoms of allergic rhinitis, but research is still at an early stage.
A few studies have found that compared to a placebo, spirulina reduced symptoms of allergic rhinitis.[1][2] Interestingly, a randomized controlled trial found that spirulina supplementation given daily for two months was as effective as cetirizine — a commonly-used allergy medication — at reducing symptoms of nasal itching and sneezing and more effective than cetirizine at reducing rhinorrhea (runny nose) and nasal congestion.[3]
This effect may be due to how spirulina interacts with the immune system. More specifically, spirulina may reduce levels of interleukin 4 and prevent the release of histamine from mast cells.[4][3][5][6]
References
- ^Cingi C, Conk-Dalay M, Cakli H, Bal CThe effects of spirulina on allergic rhinitisEur Arch Otorhinolaryngol.(2008 Oct)
- ^Karkos PD, Leong SC, Arya AK, Papouliakos SM, Apostolidou MT, Issing WJ'Complementary ENT': a systematic review of commonly used supplements.J Laryngol Otol.(2007-Aug)
- ^Morteza Nourollahian, Bashir Rasoulian, Attaallah Gafari, Majid Anoushiravani, Farahzad Jabari, Mehdi BakhshaeeClinical comparison of the efficacy of spirulina platensis and cetirizine for treatment of allergic rhinitisActa Otorhinolaryngol Ital.(2020 Jun)
- ^T K Mao, J Van de Water, M E GershwinEffects of a Spirulina-based dietary supplement on cytokine production from allergic rhinitis patientsJ Med Food.(Spring 2005)
- ^Yang HN, Lee EH, Kim HMSpirulina platensis inhibits anaphylactic reaction.Life Sci.(1997)
- ^Kim HM, Lee EH, Cho HH, Moon YHInhibitory effect of mast cell-mediated immediate-type allergic reactions in rats by spirulina.Biochem Pharmacol.(1998-Apr-01)