The healing power of algae

Abstract

Thalassotherapy is the therapeutic use of seawater or marine products to improve human health. Algae are the basis of modern thalassotherapy. The therapeutic or prophylactic use of seaweed, externally in the form of baths or internally as an extract of its plasma, is called algotherapy. Algotherapy is a special branch of phytotherapy in which marine plants (or bioactive compounds derived from them) are used for therapeutic purposes to treat or prevent the development of a number of diseases and their symptoms. Algae have been shown to be an effective alternative form of treatment for diseases that affect the skin and lymphatic tissue, as well as diseases that affect the internal organs, metabolism, and endocrine glands. This is due to the high content of vitamins, amino acids, trace elements, and other bioactive components that algae possess.

Once algae extracts have been produced industrially by certified chemical, pharmaceutical, or other health industries, they are given the status of herbal medicines. Herbal medicines are defined as drugs produced from bioactive plant raw materials (without the inclusion of synthetic additives), the efficacy and safety of which have been confirmed by pharmacological studies, technical and scientific documentation, or clinical evidence. Algae extracts have been shown to be effective in treating a variety of conditions, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes.