Bright green, naturally nutrient-dense, and used for centuries, Spirulina may be one of the most recognizable ingredients in the wellness world.
But there is much more behind that vivid color.
Spirulina contains naturally occurring proteins, amino acids, minerals, fatty acids, carotenoids, chlorophyll, and one particularly distinctive pigment called phycocyanin. Modern researchers have taken an especially close look at Spirulina for its antioxidant properties and its relationship with normal immune and inflammatory processes.¹ ²
At Glacier Peak Holistics®, we include Spirulina in two formulas with very different purposes: Inflapotion®, our internal herbal blend for mobility, everyday comfort, and a healthy inflammatory response, and Mountain Salve®, our topical formula for skin wellness and everyday external care.⁵ ⁶
Ingredient Basics: Spirulina
Common Name: Spirulina, Blue-Green Algae
Scientific Names Commonly Used: Arthrospira platensis, Limnospira platensis
Organism Type: Filamentous photosynthetic cyanobacterium
Natural Habitat: Warm, alkaline waters in tropical and subtropical regions
Parts Used: Whole dried biomass
Key Naturally Occurring Compounds: Phycocyanin, chlorophyll, carotenoids including beta-carotene, proteins, essential amino acids, polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, minerals, and polyunsaturated fatty acids
Traditional Profile: Nourishing • Restorative • Nutrient Rich
Although Spirulina is often described as an algae, scientifically it is classified as a cyanobacterium. The familiar name has stuck, which is why you will still commonly see it referred to as blue-green algae.³
Its brilliant blue-green color comes largely from two natural pigments: green chlorophyll and blue phycocyanin.
An Ancient Food With a Modern Reputation
Spirulina might seem like a modern superfood trend, but people have been consuming it for centuries.
Historical accounts describe communities around Lake Texcoco in Mexico harvesting naturally occurring Spirulina and preparing it as food. It has also traditionally been collected around Lake Chad in Africa, where dried cakes made from cyanobacteria have long been incorporated into local diets.³
Its nutritional density eventually attracted much broader scientific attention.
Today, Spirulina is cultivated around the world for food, nutritional supplements, animal feed, and research applications. Reviews of its composition consistently highlight its concentration of protein, amino acids, pigments, minerals, essential fatty acids, and other naturally occurring compounds.³ ⁴
That combination of traditional use and modern scientific interest is part of what makes Spirulina such an interesting ingredient for us.
What Makes Spirulina So Nutrient Rich?
Unlike many botanical ingredients, Spirulina is naturally high in protein.
Scientific reviews have reported protein concentrations of approximately 55% to 70% depending on growing conditions and processing, along with essential amino acids, minerals, carbohydrates, fatty acids, chlorophyll, carotenoids, and phycocyanin.³
But we do not include Spirulina simply because it contains a long list of nutrients.
Its naturally occurring bioactive pigments and compounds are just as interesting.
Researchers have investigated Spirulina for:
- Antioxidant activity
- Healthy inflammatory signaling
- Normal immune activity
- Cellular protection against oxidative stress
- Nutritional support
- Skin-related applications
Much of this research involves humans, laboratory models, or specific Spirulina extracts, so individual findings should not automatically be applied to pets or to a finished pet product.¹ ²
Meet Phycocyanin: Spirulina's Signature Pigment
One of Spirulina's most distinctive compounds is C phycocyanin, the blue pigment responsible for much of its characteristic color.
Phycocyanin does more than make Spirulina visually distinctive.
Researchers have studied it extensively for antioxidant activity and its interactions with pathways involved in the body's normal inflammatory response. A major review of Spirulina research identified phycocyanin and beta-carotene among the compounds thought to contribute to the organism's antioxidant, immune-related, and inflammatory signaling activity.²
Those findings are particularly interesting for Inflapotion®, where Spirulina sits within a blend specifically formulated around everyday comfort, mobility, and a healthy inflammatory response.⁵
Spirulina and a Healthy Inflammatory Response
Inflammation is part of the body's normal response to activity, exercise, environmental exposures, and everyday tissue stress.
The goal of wellness support is not to eliminate that response. It is to help the body maintain a healthy inflammatory balance.
Spirulina has been studied extensively in this area.
A systematic review examining clinical research described antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and healthy inflammatory response-related properties among the primary areas of scientific interest surrounding Spirulina supplementation. The authors also noted that study quality and methodology vary considerably and that additional controlled research is still needed.¹
Another major scientific review discussed Spirulina's interactions with cellular signaling pathways involved in inflammatory regulation and highlighted phycocyanin as a compound of particular interest.²
That growing research base is one of the reasons Spirulina earned its place in Inflapotion®.
Why We Include Spirulina in Inflapotion®
Inflapotion® is a 100% organic herbal wellness blend made with ingredients traditionally used to support everyday mobility, joint and muscle comfort, and a healthy inflammatory response.⁵
The formula combines Spirulina with:
-
Marshmallow Root
- Slippery Elm Bark
-
Echinacea Purpurea Herb
- Red Clover Herb
- Milk Thistle Seed
- Comfrey Leaf
Spirulina brings a different botanical profile to that blend.
Its naturally occurring pigments, proteins, amino acids, and antioxidant compounds complement herbs with long histories of use around tissue comfort and healthy inflammatory responses. Current Glacier Peak Holistics® product information specifically identifies Spirulina as one of the ingredients selected for its traditional relationship with healthy inflammatory support.⁵
Rather than relying on one ingredient to do everything, Inflapotion® combines multiple naturally derived ingredients with complementary roles.
Spirulina Beyond Internal Wellness
Spirulina is usually associated with nutritional supplements, so seeing it on the ingredient list of a topical product may come as a surprise.
But researchers have also become interested in Spirulina compounds for skin-related applications.
Its pigments and phenolic compounds have been studied for antioxidant activity, while broader research has explored Spirulina in connection with skin and cellular wellness. A review of Spirulina's pharmacological research identified the skin among the areas where its naturally occurring compounds have attracted scientific interest.⁴
That does not mean Spirulina is a treatment for skin conditions.
Instead, its nutrient-rich and antioxidant profile makes it an interesting complementary ingredient in topical formulations designed around overall skin wellness.
Why We Include Spirulina in Mountain Salve®
Mountain Salve® takes the story in a different direction.
Rather than being consumed internally, Mountain Salve® is a 100% organic topical wellness salve formulated for skin comfort and everyday external care. It includes Spirulina alongside herbs such as Comfrey, Echinacea Purpurea, Marshmallow Root, Red Clover, Slippery Elm, Plantain Herb, Chickweed, Goldenseal Root, Oregon Grape Root, and Usnea Lichen.⁶
The salve is designed for areas needing additional skin care and comfort, including dry or irritated skin, belly and paw care, and areas exposed to tack, equipment, or outdoor activity.⁶
Within that broader formula, Spirulina contributes its naturally nutrient-rich profile and naturally occurring antioxidant compounds.
Its role is different from the role it plays in Inflapotion®, but the same qualities that make Spirulina interesting internally also help explain why it complements a topical wellness formula.
One Ingredient, Two Different Formulas
Seeing Spirulina in both Inflapotion® and Mountain Salve® is a good example of how formulation changes the role an ingredient plays.
In Inflapotion®, Spirulina is part of an internal wellness blend centered around comfortable movement, mobility, and a healthy inflammatory response.⁵
In Mountain Salve®, Spirulina becomes one part of a broader topical blend designed around skin wellness, moisture, and everyday external comfort.⁶
Same ingredient.
Different formulation.
Different wellness goal.
That is why looking at an ingredient in isolation never tells the full story.
Is Spirulina an Herb?
Technically, no.
Despite appearing alongside herbs in many wellness blends, Spirulina is a cyanobacterium, not a plant.
The term blue-green algae is commonly used because of its appearance and historical classification, but modern taxonomy places it among cyanobacteria.³
We still feature Spirulina in Behind the Blend because the purpose of this series is not limited to herbs. It is about taking a closer look at the naturally derived ingredients we intentionally choose for our formulas.
And Spirulina has certainly earned its spotlight.
Why We Chose Spirulina
Spirulina brings together several qualities we value when formulating.
It has a remarkably long history as a nutrient-rich food.
It provides naturally occurring proteins, amino acids, minerals, fatty acids, and pigments.
It contains distinctive compounds such as phycocyanin that continue to be studied for antioxidant activity and healthy inflammatory signaling.
And it complements very different ingredients depending on how we use it.
In Inflapotion®, that means joining a blend centered around mobility and everyday comfort.
In Mountain Salve®, it means becoming part of a topical formula designed to support skin wellness.
Its color may be what gets your attention first.
Its complex nutritional and phytochemical profile is what keeps researchers interested.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spirulina for Pets
What Is Spirulina?
Spirulina is a blue-green photosynthetic microorganism, more accurately classified as a cyanobacterium. It has a long history as a food source and naturally contains proteins, amino acids, minerals, fatty acids, chlorophyll, carotenoids, phycocyanin, and other bioactive compounds.³
Why Is Spirulina Blue-Green?
Its color comes primarily from chlorophyll, which contributes green coloration, and phycocyanin, a naturally occurring blue pigment unique to cyanobacteria and certain algae. Phycocyanin is also one of the most extensively researched compounds found in Spirulina.² ³
What Are the Benefits of Spirulina for Pets?
Spirulina is naturally nutrient-dense and has been studied for antioxidant activity, normal immune activity, and healthy inflammatory signaling. However, much of the available research involves humans, laboratory studies, or other animal species, so research findings should not automatically be interpreted as product-specific benefits for dogs, cats, or horses.¹ ²
Is Spirulina an Antioxidant?
Spirulina contains naturally occurring compounds including phycocyanin, beta-carotene, phenolic compounds, and other pigments that have demonstrated antioxidant activity in scientific research.¹ ²
Why Is Spirulina in Inflapotion®?
Spirulina complements Inflapotion®'s 100% organic blend formulated to support everyday mobility, joint and muscle comfort, and a healthy inflammatory response. Its naturally occurring antioxidant compounds and scientific research surrounding inflammatory signaling make it a thoughtful addition to the formula.⁵
Why Is Spirulina in Mountain Salve®?
Mountain Salve® includes Spirulina as part of a much broader topical blend of herbs, oils, and naturally derived ingredients designed for skin wellness and everyday topical comfort. Its naturally occurring pigments and antioxidant compounds complement the formula's other skin-focused botanicals.⁶
1. Calella P, Di Dio M, Cerullo G, et al. Antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory effects of Spirulina in disease conditions: a systematic review. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition. 2023.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36273817/
2. Wu Q, Liu L, Miron A, Klímová B, Wan D, Kuča K. The antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory activities of Spirulina: an overview. Archives of Toxicology. 2016;90:1817 to 1840.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27259333/
3. Food and drug industry applications of microalgae Spirulina platensis: A review. Journal of Basic Microbiology. 2023.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36720046/
4. An Overview of Pharmacological and Clinical Aspects of Spirulina. Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. 2023.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36453480/
