Question:

I’ve had some questions about herbal and homeopathic asthma/allergy treatments for awhile:  Aren’t many of them made from pollen bearing plants?  And if you just happen to have pollen/ragweed allergies, couldn’t these remedies create more problems than they’ll solve?  I don’t drink chamomile tea now because I noticed I was getting more asthma symptoms after a cup of it. I stick with fruity herbal teas and feel much better. Cindy Shirkey "My library was dukedom large enough…" The Tempest (I,ii)

Response:

I’ve had some questions about herbal and homeopathic asthma/allergy treatments for awhile:  Aren’t many of them made from pollen bearing plants?  And if you just happen to have pollen/ragweed allergies, couldn’t these remedies create more problems than they’ll solve?

Yep!  A lot of herbal remedies that people have told me to try, I looked them up in a herbal book, and sure enough, it would say "don’t use this if you have allergies to ragweed" or "to tomatoes" or whatnot.  You do have to be very careful with herbal medications (and they are medicines) since the labeling is so poor and most people don’t know much about them. Laura

Response:

I’ve had some questions about herbal and homeopathic asthma/allergy treatments for awhile:  Aren’t many of them made from pollen bearing plants?

I *think* virtually every form of plant has some pollen…so bee careful (sorry!).  Also, some people (like myself) are allergic to garlic, which is sometimes given as a cure-all (and it’s probably good for you if you’re *not* allergic to it.)  In my case, it gives me a headache, similar to what I get from MSG or aspertane. Scott T.

Response:

I’ve had some questions about herbal and homeopathic asthma/allergy treatments for awhile:  Aren’t many of them made from pollen bearing plants? I *think* virtually every form of plant has some pollen…so bee careful (sorry!).  Also, some people (like myself) are allergic to garlic, which is sometimes given as a cure-all (and it’s probably good for you if you’re *not* allergic to it.)  In my case, it gives me a headache, similar to what I get from MSG or aspertane.

I’m very careful about herbal preparations in any form. I’m allergic to chamomile, alfalfa, and several other herbs & plants. I always check the ingredient list. One sip of chamomile tea will start my throat swelling. Mary

Response:

I’ve had some questions about herbal and homeopathic asthma/allergy treatments for awhile:  Aren’t many of them made from pollen bearing plants? I *think* virtually every form of plant has some pollen…so bee careful (sorry!).  Also, some people (like myself) are allergic to garlic, which is sometimes given as a cure-all (and it’s probably good for you if you’re *not* allergic to it.)  In my case, it gives me a headache, similar to what I get from MSG or aspertane. Scott T.

 Herbs are plants but most are made from parts other than the flowers. Roots and leaves are generally the main ingredents.

Response:

I’ve had some questions about herbal and homeopathic asthma/allergy treatments for awhile:  Aren’t many of them made from pollen bearing plants?  And if you just happen to have pollen/ragweed allergies, couldn’t these remedies create more problems than they’ll solve? Yep!  A lot of herbal remedies that people have told me to try, I looked them up in a herbal book, and sure enough, it would say "don’t use this if you have allergies to ragweed" or "to tomatoes" or whatnot.  You do have to be very careful with herbal medications (and they are medicines) since the labeling is so poor and most people don’t know much about them. Laura

Agree with you all. I think the best thing to do is what I did: bring the list of ‘ingredients’ to your doctor and have her evaluate them. In my case she saw nothing harmful in the herbs and nothing that would adversely effect my condition. – Mike

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