Chlorella
Chlorella is a single-celled green alga whose family has been around for billions of years, which makes it one of the oldest forms of life on Earth and the ultimate pond-scum glow-up. It's a nutritive green, packed with chlorophyll, plant protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and it's valued in modern wellness for supporting everyday vitality, energy and nourishment from the inside out. Herbalists and nutrition nerds alike love it as a deeply green, deeply nourishing addition to the daily routine. Tiny, green and absolutely stacked.
Find it in:
- Botanical nameChlorella vulgaris
- Plant familyChlorellaceae (green algae)
- Also calledGreen algae, freshwater algae
- Part usedDried, powdered whole alga
- TasteDeep green, grassy and a little oceanic
- CaffeineNone
Traditional Uses & Folklore
One of the oldest life forms
Chlorella belongs to a lineage of green algae that has existed for billions of years. It was first described in 1890 by the Dutch microbiologist Martinus Beijerinck, who named it for the Greek chloros (green) and the Latin -ella (small).
The future of food
After World War II, scientists saw chlorella as a possible answer to world hunger, because it grows fast and is packed with protein. Researchers in the United States, Germany and Japan grew it in huge tanks. NASA even explored it as food and oxygen for long space missions.
Japan's green habit
Japan embraced chlorella as a supplement in the 1960s and remains one of its biggest fans. Its popularity spread from there, and today chlorella is one of the most widely used green superfoods in the world.
The scienceWhat Modern Research Is Exploring
Chlorella has a modest body of human research, mostly using supplements. Here's what researchers are looking at:
- Nutrition. Chlorella is rich in protein, chlorophyll, iron and B vitamins, and researchers have studied it as a nutrient-dense whole food.
- Antioxidants. Chlorella contains carotenoids and other antioxidants that are studied for their protective activity.
- Everyday wellness. Small clinical studies have explored chlorella in connection with healthy cholesterol, blood pressure and immune function.
We share this to show where the conversation is going, not to make promises. Herbalism is slow medicine, built on ritual, consistency, and how a plant feels in your own body.
From Tea LadyWhy Chlorella Is in Our Blends
Chlorella is our green machine. In Happy Gut Powder, it's a nutrient-dense freshwater algae packed with naturally occurring chlorophyll and antioxidants that support everyday wellness. It's the deep green in your daily scoop.
Sip mindfullySafety & Who Should Check First
Chlorella is generally considered safe as a food supplement. A few things to keep in mind:
- Start slow. Some people notice digestive changes, like gas or a green tint, when they first start chlorella. Starting with a smaller amount can help.
- Blood thinners. Chlorella naturally contains vitamin K, which can affect blood thinners like warfarin. Check with your healthcare provider if you take anticoagulants.
- Immune system. Check with your healthcare provider before using chlorella if you take immune-suppressing medication or have an autoimmune condition.
- Allergies. If you're sensitive to algae or iodine, you may react to chlorella.
- Pregnancy. Check with your healthcare provider before using chlorella if you're pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding.
Sources & Further Reading
- Bito T, Okumura E, Fujishima M, Watanabe F. "Potential of Chlorella as a dietary supplement to promote human health." Nutrients, 2020; 12(9): 2524.
- Panahi Y, Darvishi B, Jowzi N, Beiraghdar F, Sahebkar A. "Chlorella vulgaris: a multifunctional dietary supplement with diverse medicinal properties." Current Pharmaceutical Design, 2016; 22(2): 164–173.