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Is Spirulina Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?
Find out by taking this free, easy quiz.
You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Spirulina' is a good fit.
Complete the basic quiz in 1 minute, or go deeper with additional quizzes at your own leisure to learn more about your body.
AYURVEDA'S GUIDE TO VITALITY & WHOLESOME NOURISHMENT
Your Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body and your specific imbalances.
With an Ayurvedic diet you feel joy and satisfaction because what you are eating truly nourishes and balances you.
Disease results from diets and lifestyles that are incompatible with your nature.
By eating a personalized diet matched to your body, you experience optimal health.
See How it Works.
Functional Ayurveda helps you assess imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics
(gunas).
Aggravating these characteristics weakens your body and causes imbalance.
By knowing which characteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct imbalances before you get sick.
Every characteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold).
You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite characteristic.
Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food.
Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body.
Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food.
Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods.
Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion.
Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste.
One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes.
The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent.
Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?
According to the biocharacteristic theory of medicine,
people tend to get sick, over and over again, due to habitual causes and imbalances that are unique to the person.
Your body type summarizes this tendency, showing you the 'type' of conditions and imbalances that frequently challenge your health & wellness.
Using body type, you can also identify remedies likely to improve your strength and resiliency.
Your body type identifies physical and mental characteristics as well as your personal strengths and weaknesses.
The calculation of your body type is based on your medical history.
The 3 functional body types
(doshas),
are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).
Catabolic individuals tend to break down body mass into energy. They are easily stimulated, hyperactive, underweight and dry.
Metabolic individuals tend to burn or use energy. They tend to be rosy-cheeked, easily irritated, focused, driven, and easily inflamed.
Anabolic individuals tend to store energy as body mass. If they store too much energy, they could gain weight easily and have congestion. Anabolic people tend to be stable and grounded.
Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Spirulina
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary.
The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.
An herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues.
A tonic herb restores function through strengthening tissue. This can happen through a combination of nourishing the tissue, and invigorating tissue metabolism. The tonic should not be withering, as in caffeine.
STRONG BLOOD-TONIC
An herb that produces more blood cells in the body, or otherwise improves blood cell quality or hemoglobin content. Helpful for anemia and other types of deficiency.
In each clinical research trial below, students from the
Joyful Belly School of Ayurveda ate the selected food for 3 days and reported the pharmacological effects.
See other clinical research trials for diet & herbs at Joyful Belly.
TEMPERATURE/CIRCULATION
How did Spirulina affect your temperature?
1
4
16
13
3
Much colder
Slightly colder
Same
Slightly warmer
Much warmer
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect your ear temperature?
6
28
3
Hotter
No Change
Cooler
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
SweatHow did Spirulina affect your sweat quantity?
1
0
31
5
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
SkinHow did Spirulina affect the tones / color of your skin?
0
0
10
0
27
Yellower/Greener
Paler
Redder
Grayer
No Change
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect the color of your tongue body? *This question refers to the tongue itself, not the coating.
1
13
3
20
Paler
Redder
Bluer
No Change
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect the swelling or size of your tongue body?
5
4
28
More Swelling (larger/fatter)
Less Swelling (smaller/thinner)
No Change
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
DigestionFor help analyzing your digestion,
see overview of Digestive Health
How did Spirulina
4
5
15
12
1
Much less hungry
Slightly less hungry
Same
Slightly hungrier
Much hungrier
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect your digestion speed? *This can be gauged by how quickly you feel hungry after eating and how quickly you eliminate your meal.
2
13
17
4
1
Much faster
Slightly faster
Same
Slightly slower
Much slower
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
TOXINS
How did Spirulina affect the amount of your gas & bloating?
1
5
22
7
2
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect the intensity of your stool smell?
0
3
23
11
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect the thickness & size (surface area) of your tongue coating?
7
13
13
4
0
Much smaller/thinner coating
Slightly less coating
Same
Slightly larger/thicker coating
Much larger coating
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect the color of your tongue coating?
3
3
2
7
22
Yellower
Browner
Grayer
Whiter
No Change
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect your throat soreness?
2
33
2
More sore
No Change
Less sore
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect the intensity of your urine smell?
0
1
30
6
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect the amount of bubbles in your urine?
0
2
31
4
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Many more
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect the intensity of your sweat smell?
0
0
35
2
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect your acne?
2
35
0
More acne
No Change
Less acne
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect the shade of your freckles/moles?
1
36
0
Darker
No Change
Lighter
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect the color of your sclera (white part of eye)?
2
0
1
0
6
Redder/Bloodshot
Yellower
Grayer
Browner
Whiter
28
No Change
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect the shade / color of your lower eyelid?
0
1
34
2
More green/dark green
More purple
No Change
Less green/purple
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
HYDRATION
UrineHow did Spirulina affect your urine frequency/quantity?
0
3
26
7
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect the dryness of your skin?
5
2
30
Drier
Oilier
No Change
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect the puffiness of your lower eyelid?
2
32
3
Puffier
No Change
Less Puffy
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect the cracks on your tongue?
0
8
25
4
0
Much more/larger/longer cracks
Slightly more
Same
Slightly less
Much less/smaller/shorter cracks
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
FLUID-THICKNESS
How did Spirulina affect your ear pressure?
3
32
2
More pressure
No Change
Less pressure
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
RespiratoryHow did Spirulina affect your level of sinus congestion?
2
27
8
More congestion
No Change
Less congestion
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect the thickness of your mucous congestion?
1
28
8
More thick
No Change
Less thick
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
NERVOUS-SYSTEM
How did Spirulina affect your energy levels?
2
2
9
20
4
Much less energy
Slightly less energy
Same
Slightly more energy
Much more energy
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect your muscle tension?
1
6
24
6
0
Much less tension
Slightly less tension
Same
Slightly more tension
Much more tension
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect your anxiety levels?
1
4
26
6
0
Much less anxiety
Slightly less anxiety
Same
Slightly more anxiety
Much more anxiety
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect the movement or stillness of your tongue as you hold it out?
3
29
5
More still
No Change
More Trembling / Jittery
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
DIGESTION
DigestionFor help analyzing your digestion,
see overview of Digestive Health
How did Spirulina
4
5
15
12
1
Much less hungry
Slightly less hungry
Same
Slightly hungrier
Much hungrier
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect burning sensations in your digestive tract (do not include acid reflux)?
0
3
28
5
1
Much relief
Slight relief
Same
Slightly more burning
Much more burning
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect your digestion speed? *This can be gauged by how quickly you feel hungry after eating and how quickly you eliminate your meal.
2
13
17
4
1
Much faster
Slightly faster
Same
Slightly slower
Much slower
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect the amount of your gas & bloating?
1
5
22
7
2
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
TONGUE
How did Spirulina affect the cracks on your tongue?
0
8
25
4
0
Much more/larger/longer cracks
Slightly more
Same
Slightly less
Much less/smaller/shorter cracks
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect the color of your tongue body? *This question refers to the tongue itself, not the coating.
1
13
3
20
Paler
Redder
Bluer
No Change
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect the swelling or size of your tongue body?
5
4
28
More Swelling (larger/fatter)
Less Swelling (smaller/thinner)
No Change
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect the thickness & size (surface area) of your tongue coating?
7
13
13
4
0
Much smaller/thinner coating
Slightly less coating
Same
Slightly larger/thicker coating
Much larger coating
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect the color of your tongue coating?
3
3
2
7
22
Yellower
Browner
Grayer
Whiter
No Change
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect the movement or stillness of your tongue as you hold it out?
3
29
5
More still
No Change
More Trembling / Jittery
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
STOOL
How did Spirulina affect your stool consistency?
2
11
15
8
1
Much softer
Slightly softer
Same
Slightly harder
Much harder
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect your stool frequency/quantity?
0
3
20
10
4
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect your stool color?
4
0
13
0
20
More yellow
More gray
More green
More orange
Same
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect the intensity of your stool smell?
0
3
23
11
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect your stool lightness?
0
8
21
8
0
Much lighter
Slightly lighter
Same
Slightly darker
Much darker
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
URINE
How did Spirulina affect the shade of your urine?
0
6
24
7
0
Much lighter
Slightly lighter
Same
Slightly Darker
Much Darker
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect your urine clarity?
1
29
7
More cloudy
Same
More clear
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect the intensity of your urine smell?
0
1
30
6
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect the amount of bubbles in your urine?
0
2
31
4
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Many more
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
UrineHow did Spirulina affect your urine frequency/quantity?
0
3
26
7
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
SWEAT
SweatHow did Spirulina affect your sweat quantity?
1
0
31
5
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect the intensity of your sweat smell?
0
0
35
2
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
SKIN
How did Spirulina affect your acne?
2
35
0
More acne
No Change
Less acne
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
SkinHow did Spirulina affect the tones / color of your skin?
0
0
10
0
27
Yellower/Greener
Paler
Redder
Grayer
No Change
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect the dryness of your skin?
5
2
30
Drier
Oilier
No Change
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect the shade of your freckles/moles?
1
36
0
Darker
No Change
Lighter
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
EYE
How did Spirulina affect the color of your sclera (white part of eye)?
2
0
1
0
6
Redder/Bloodshot
Yellower
Grayer
Browner
Whiter
28
No Change
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
VisionHow did Spirulina affect your vision clarity?
0
1
29
6
1
Much less clear
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more clear
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect the shade / color of your lower eyelid?
0
1
34
2
More green/dark green
More purple
No Change
Less green/purple
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect the puffiness of your lower eyelid?
2
32
3
Puffier
No Change
Less Puffy
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
ENT
How did Spirulina affect your ear pressure?
3
32
2
More pressure
No Change
Less pressure
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
RespiratoryHow did Spirulina affect your level of sinus congestion?
2
27
8
More congestion
No Change
Less congestion
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect your throat soreness?
2
33
2
More sore
No Change
Less sore
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect the thickness of your mucous congestion?
1
28
8
More thick
No Change
Less thick
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect your ear temperature?
6
28
3
Hotter
No Change
Cooler
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
SYSTEMIC
How did Spirulina affect your temperature?
1
4
16
13
3
Much colder
Slightly colder
Same
Slightly warmer
Much warmer
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect your energy levels?
2
2
9
20
4
Much less energy
Slightly less energy
Same
Slightly more energy
Much more energy
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect your anxiety levels?
1
4
26
6
0
Much less anxiety
Slightly less anxiety
Same
Slightly more anxiety
Much more anxiety
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect your muscle tension?
1
6
24
6
0
Much less tension
Slightly less tension
Same
Slightly more tension
Much more tension
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
HEART
How did Spirulina affect your heart pain/pressure/cramping?
0
1
35
1
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect your heart rate?
0
2
27
8
0
Much slower
Slightly slower
Same
Slightly faster
Much faster
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
How did Spirulina affect your heart rhythm?
4
32
1
More palpitations
Same
Less palpitations
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
PRIOR
What is your level of experience with Spirulina?
24
13
I studied / have knowledge of <
I do not have knowledge of <>
Total Responses: 37 Study ID:160 (2024-03-10 - 2024-03-18)
Spirulina may be beneficial for these symptoms. The suitability of any food for a condition is highly dependent on the individual.
Please see your doctor before using this food to treat a medical condition.
Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. Food digests with ease when
right for your body type (dosha). Healthy digestion is seen as the cornerstone of well-being in
Ayurveda. Healthy digestion generally prevents illness. If you do get sick, a strong digestive fire
reduces the severity of illness and increases your resilience. It also improves your mood. Once
you begin eating Ayurvedically, you will feel refreshed, vital and strong.
Give smart recommendations to your clients and improve efficiency in your clinic with these tools.
About the Author
John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a
healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda biocharacteristics.
His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful.
John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda,
offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.
John's interest in Ayurveda and specialization in digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel,
as well as public service work in South Asia.
John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem.
His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion.
John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing.
In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.
John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots,
and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church.
Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick.
That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well.
Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his wife and 7 kids, and pursuing his love of theology, philosophy, and language.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
The information and products on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any
disease.
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