The Benefits of Chlorophyll
The sun is the primal source of energy on our planet, and the origin of all life. All living beings extract energy from the sun.
Chlorophyll is supercharged with vitamins, antioxidants and has healing properties which are of great benefit to the human body.
“It is a substance called Chlorophyll, the most wonderful substance in our world. A world without chlorophyll would be a world without the higher forms of life, and in such a world no life, save perhaps that of the lowest bacteria, could possibly endure. In fact, without this remarkable pigment the living world as at present constituted could not exist.” – Sir Arthur E. Shipley (Vice-chancellor, University of Cambridge)
Worshipping the sun has been an ancient yogic practice, as a form of acknowledging the importance of solar energy to both life and consciousness. Surya Namaskara – sun salutations – are amongst the most renowned yogic techniques of our times. It is thought, by these practices, we are able to raise our quantum of prana (vital energy), which is an absolute necessity for living a balanced and healthy life.
The sun is the primal source of energy on our planet, and the origin of all life. All living beings extract their energy from the sun; in plants it is directly absorbed by chlorophyll (the green pigment which allows plants to absorb sunlight for photosynthesis) and in humans it is absorbed by mitochondria (cellular powerhouses responsible for creating energy rich molecules for our cells).
According to yoga, there is a direct correlation between the range of haemoglobin – a protein in red blood cells which carries oxygen throughout the body – present in the human body and the quantum of prana available to us. This correlation is similar in the case of chlorophyll and prana in plants.
Chlorophyll and haemoglobin are not only similar in function; they are chemically alike. The most significant difference between them, is that haemoglobin has iron at its core whereas chlorophyll has magnesium at its centre. This similarity is one of the main reasons chlorophyll is taken as a nutritional supplement.
Chlorophyll and its Benefits
There are a few different ways of consuming chlorophyll, such as consuming more green and leafy vegetables, using supplements or by drinking ready-made chlorophyll water.
Chlorophyll is supercharged with vitamins, antioxidants and has healing properties which are of great benefit to the human body. It stimulates the immune system, eliminates fungus, detoxifies the blood, cleanses the intestines, reduces bodily odours, energises the body and assists cancer prevention
It is most abundant in fresh and raw vegetables and algae such as chlorella or spirulina, however not everyone is able to tolerate and absorb raw foods effectively. Levels can decrease to almost half when vegetables are cooked. A good way to eat raw greens, is to add a generous dose of raw extra-virgin olive oil and a dazzle of apple cider vinegar. This mix will help us digest the raw greens more effectively.
Chlorophyll and Ayurveda
“Bastis” or enemas are purification practices which have been performed in Ayurvedic medicine since ancient times. Enemas are one of the five cleansing actions which form a part of the panchakarma therapy (an ancient cleansing, purification and rejuvenation technique very well known for its exceptional healing and restoration effects). Ayurvedic enemas are similar to “colonics” but they are administered in two parts. The first enema cleanses and nourishes the colon by using chlorophyll and specific herbs. The second enema – which is usually performed on the following day– is done with oils in order to lubricate the colon and help disperse any left-over toxins.
“Many of my patients who would never have thought they would be doing enemas tell me they feel fantastic afterward” – Kulreet Chaudhary, M.D. on chlorophyll enemas
Ayurveda also prescribes eating chlorophyll-filled leafy greens in large quantities to keep the blood stream free from cholesterol deposits and prevent thrombosis.
Ayurvedic medicine ascribes a chelating effect on metals such as mercury to chlorophyll. This is one of the reasons many of the preparations consumed during a panchakarma include Tulsi (holy basil), wheatgrass, celery, cucumber, cilantro, parsley or mint. Ingredients which are high in chlorophyll and fairly easy to digest in raw form.
David Frawley – World-renowned Ayurveda master – says cooling and cleansing the body as well as the nervous system can be done by herbs capable of removing toxins from the blood, tissues and internal organs, which are usually astringent – a quality of vata dosha – and contain large amounts of chlorophyll.
Scientific Findings on the effects of Chlorophyll
Acne and Chlorophyll:
A dermatological study found a chlorophyllin-based formulation was clinically effective at treating mild-moderate acne and large pores when used continuously for three weeks.
Thalassemia and Chlorophyll:
A 2004 study found that wheatgrass reduced the number of blood transfusions needed in people with thalassemia – an inherited disorder of the blood, in which the body produces an abnormal form of haemoglobin leading to anaemia. Though the researchers did not determine this was directly related to chlorophyll, it is important to note chlorophyll and haemoglobin are chemically similar and wheatgrass is essentially 70% chlorophyll.
Inflammation, skin wounds and Chlorophyll:
Chlorophyll reduces inflammation and reduces bacterial growth in topical wounds.
Liver and stomach tumours, and Chlorophyll:
One study concluded that chlorophyll considerably reduced the incidence of liver and stomach tumours in rodents and fish.
Production of liver enzymes and Chlorophyll:
Chlorophyll also works as a natural detoxifier because it stimulates the production of liver enzymes, which encourages our natural elimination process. These enzymes bind to toxins and carry them out of the body.
Elimination of heavy metals and Chlorophyll:
Another study, showed mice given chlorophyll for mercury exposure excreted twice the amount of mercury than mice not given it. It is thought the effect of chlorophyll on metal can have similar effects in humans.
Elimination of procarcinogens and Chlorophyll:
“Chlorophyll binds to harmful procarcinogen chemicals—toxins that turn into [cancer-promoting] carcinogens when metabolized—and inhibits them from being absorbed into the intestines. Some of the most important procarcinogens that chlorophyll binds to are aflatoxin-B1, which is a mold found on many grains, nuts, and beans, and heterocyclic amine toxins caused by meat cooked at high temperatures” – says Carly Brawner, holistic nutritionist and health coach at Frolic and Flow.
Chlorophyll and satiety:
A study which investigated if green-plant membranes – which were previously found to reduce hunger and promote satiety – could affect body weight in the long term. The investigators found those who took the supplement experienced greater weight loss and harmful (LDL) cholesterol reduction than those who did not take it.
Chlorophyll and photoageing:
One study found Chlorophyll reduced photo-ageing – ageing resulting from exposure to the sun – when applied to the skin.
