Spirulina for Allergies

A 2008 study found that oral intake of 2g spirulina daily, a blue-green algae, was significantly more effective than placebo at improving allergy symptoms over 6 months. Another study in 2020 found that 2g of spirulina taken daily was more effective than 10mg of cetirizine daily over 2 months. Spirulina is thought to have anti-inflammatory effects. Spirulina may cause digestive or other side effects.

Cingi C, Conk-Dalay M, Cakli H, Bal C. The effects of spirulina on allergic rhinitis. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2008 Oct;265(10):1219-23. doi: 10.1007/s00405-008-0642-8. Epub 2008 Mar 15. PMID: 18343939.

Nourollahian M, Rasoulian B, Gafari A, Anoushiravani M, Jabari F, Bakhshaee M. Clinical comparison of the efficacy of spirulina platensis and cetirizine for treatment of allergic rhinitis. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2020 Jun;40(3):224-229. doi: 10.14639/0392-100X-N0139. PMID: 32773785; PMCID: PMC7416373.