Although generally not life-threatening, allergies can ruin a perfectly good day and make you miserable. An allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to a substance called an antigen, which is foreign to the body, but otherwise harmless1 (e.g., pollen from grasses and flowers, etc.). In an allergic individual, the harmless antigen becomes an allergen; a substance that initiates an allergic reaction. The term allergy is of Greek origin and means “abnormal response.”
Allergic rhinitis affects up to 30 percent of the population worldwide.2 In the United States, about 7.5 percent or 17.6 million adults were diagnosed with hay fever in the past 12 months.3 Likewise one in 12 people (about 25 million, or 8 percent of the U.S. population) has asthma—that’s up from one in 14 people only a few years earlier.4 Comparatively, one in 10 children have asthma.5 Allergic disease, including asthma, is the fifth leading chronic disease in the U.S. in people of all ages. It is the third most common chronic disease in children under 18 years old.6
Both conventional medicine and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) offer various treatments for allergies. This article will focus on CAM treatments—specifically nutraceuticals. Before reviewing those treatments, however, let’s first take a look at what’s going on with the immune system whose overreaction causes the allergic reactions in the first instance.
The Immune System and Allergies
The body’s immune defenses may be grouped into two broad areas: nonspecific and specific. These defenses provide you with your immunity; your ability to overcome the effects of certain harmful microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, viruses). Non-specific defenses include certain mechanical and chemical factors in the skin and mucous membranes of the body (such as in the lungs), which are involved in combating the initial attempt of a microbe to invade. The specific defenses involve the production of antibodies by certain organs of the immune system, including the thymus gland, bone marrow, the spleen, lymph nodes and the lymphatic system in general.7,8
Special white blood cells called macrophages are part of the non-specific immune defenses. Macrophages are not found in the bloodstream but at locations where body organs interface with the environment or the bloodstream; for example, in the lungs, spleen, bone marrow and liver. Macrophages have special jobs including identifying foreign invaders (such as pollen or bacteria), and helping to determine if they are good guys or bad guys. If the macrophages decide the foreign invader is a harmful microbe, then they may devour it. If the macrophages wrongly identify harmless antigens as bad guys, then they set in motion inflammatory processes, including the activation of mast cells.9 Mast cells are found in tissues, and their contents (e.g., histamines, leukotrienes) along with those of basophils (mast cells counterparts in the blood), are responsible for the symptoms of allergy.
Although this is a very simplified explanation, and the allergic process involves other immune cells and activities, for our purposes this should provide sufficient background so that we can proceed into the discussion of CAM treatments for allergies.
Echinacea
Echinacea is an herb most popularly associated with treating or preventing the common cold and/or other respiratory infections.10 However, a review of scientific literature published between 1980 and 2003 revealed that echinacea is one of the most common herbs used to treat upper respiratory tract allergies. These applications make sense considering the fact that echinacea has been shown to promote innate immune response.11 As a matter of fact, among the many pharmacological properties reported, macrophage activation has been demonstrated most convincingly.12 It is this property of acting on non-specific immunity that suggests a positive role for echinacea in modulating immune function in allergies,13 and offers support to echinacea’s widespread use for this purpose. Specifically, the concept is that if macrophages can do a better job at correctly identifying harmless antigenic substances (such as pollens) as being harmless rather than identifying them as foreign invaders (allergens), then the whole allergic process may be staved off in the first instance. At this point is should be noted that there is a popular misconception that echinacea should only be used for a limited period of time, since it will cease its effectiveness otherwise. This misconception was based upon misinterpretations of a specific study on echinacea, which demonstrated decreased immune activity after about 10 days.14 However, if the study is carefully read, it is clear that the echinacea was only administered for five days; after which point it was discontinued. Only when it was discontinued did immune activity begin to decline; and even then is still remained elevated above normal for a few days.15 Furthermore, other research (as well as a history of traditional use) support the effectiveness of echinacea when used for extended periods of time.11
Quercetin
Quercetin is a plant flavonoid with antihistamine and has anti-inflammatory properties.16 In fact, flavonoids like quercetin have some of the most well-documented evidence published to date of natural compounds with regard to inhibitory action on mast cells and allergic symptoms;17 and quercetin is thought to be the most effective antihistaminic and antiallergic flavonoid.18 In a Japanese study of mast cells from nasal mucosa of individuals with perennial allergic rhinitis, quercetin significantly inhibited histamine release. Quercetin’s effect was almost twice that of the drug sodium cromoglycate at the same concentration.19 Quercetin acts by inhibiting the release of histamine and other inflammatory molecules from mast cells.14
Stinging Nettles
In a double-blind randomized study of 98 individuals with allergic rhinitis, 300 mg of freeze dried stinging nettles was rated higher than placebo by a significant degree in reducing allergic symptoms after taking it for one week. Among the subjects, 58 percent rated it moderately or highly effective, and 48 percent indicated it was equally or more effective than previously used medicines.20,21 At least 600 mg daily is recommended.
Picrorhiza
Picrorhiza kurroa is a well-known herb in the ayurvedic (i.e., East Indian) system of medicine; used traditionally to treat disorders of the liver and upper respiratory tract, as well as other disorders.22 Research on bronchial obstruction has shown that constituents of picrorhiza prevented allergen- and platelet-activating factor-induced bronchial obstruction when given to guinea pigs; and other research shows that picrorhiza inhibited histamine release.23 When given to mice and rats, picrorhiza extract resulted in a decrease in mast cell activity.24 It is interesting to note that picrorhiza has also been shown to have immunomodulating properties,25,26 which may be another mechanism by which it is beneficial for allergies.
Scutellaria
Scutellaria baicalensis, or baikal scullcap, is an herb used in combinations in traditional Chinese medicine to treat allergies, and has been documented in research as such to treat allergic rhinitis.27 In in-vitro or test tube research, anti-allergy actions have been documented with scutellaria.28 In addition, scutellaria has been shown to have an immunomodulating effect on certain cells in allergic individuals.29 Anti-allergenic components of scutellaria have been shown to inhibit the release of inflammatory leukotrienes.30 Components of scutellaria have also been shown to reduce allergic contractions in the lungs of sensitized animals.20
Butterbur
As an extract, the herb butterbur has been shown to be clinically efficient in the treatment of allergic rhinitis (hay fever).31 Research has demonstrated that butterbur is effective in reducing allergic symptoms, as well as significantly reducing histamine and leukotrienes levels after only five days of use.32 As a matter of fact, the clinical efficacy of butterbur extract was compared with an established antihistamine drug (cetirizine) in a double-blind study33 to evaluate its effectiveness in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. The results were that the butterbur was equally as effective as the drug for this purpose, but without the sedative effects of the antihistamine.
Conclusion
If you're bothered by allergies, but aren't sure to what extent, you might want to get professionally evaluated and tested by an allergist. In addition, the use of any or all of the aforementioned natural substances may help to provide you with significant relief from your allergic symptoms. VR
References:
1 Silbernag S, Lang F. Color Atlas of Pathophysiology. Stuttgart: Thieme; 2000:52.
2 Pawankar R, Canonica GW, Holgate ST, Lockey RF. WAO White Book on Allergy. Milwaukee, WI: World Allergy Organization; 2011.
3 Schiller JS, Lucas JW, Ward BW, Peregoy JA. Summary health statistics for U.S. adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2010. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat. 2012;10(252):208 pgs.
4 American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Asthma Facts. Retrieved January 22, 2016 from www.aaaai.org/about-the-aaaai/newsroom/asthma-statistics.aspx.
5 Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics. America’s Children in Brief: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, 2012. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. Retrieved January 22, 2016 from www.childstats.gov/pdf/ac2012/ac_12.pdf.
6 American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Allergy Facts. Retrieved January 22, 2016 from http://acaai.org/news/facts-statistics/allergies.
7 Tortora G, Anagnostakos N. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. New York: Harper & Row; 1981:540-49.
8 Curtis H. Biology. New York: Worth Publishers; 1983:746-61.
9 Silbernag S, Lang F. Color Atlas of Pathophysiology. Stuttgart: Thieme; 2000:42-48.
10 Bielory L. Complementary and alternative interventions in asthma, allergy, and immunology. Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology 2004; 93(2 Suppl 1):S45-54.
11 Bauer R, Hoheisel O, Stuhlfauth I, Wolf H. Extract of the Echinacea purpurea herb: an allopathic phytoimmunostimulant. Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift 1999 ; 149(8-10):185-9
12 Barrett B. Medicinal properties of Echinacea: A critical review. Phytomedicine 2003; 10(1):66-86.
13 Mills S, Bone K. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingston; 2000:354.
14 Jurcic K, Melchart D, Holzmann M, Martin P, et al. Zwei Probandenstudien zur Stimulierung der Granulozyten-phagozytose durch Echinacea-Extrakt-haltige Präparate. Z Phytother 1989;10(2):67-70.
15 Bone K. Echinacea: When Should It Be Used? Alt Med Rev 1997; 2(6):451-458.
16 Quercetin. Healthnotes Online 2004. Delicious Living: New Hope Natural Media. Accessed November 22, 2004 from www.deliciouslivingmag.com/ healthnotes/healthnotes.cfm?ContentID=2904007.
17 Theoharides T.C.; Bielory L. Mast cells and mast cell mediators as targets of dietary supplements. Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 2004; 93(2 SUPPL 1):S24-S34.
18 Rygwelski JM. Allergic rhinitis: A sampling of complementary therapies. Clinics in Family Practice 2002; 4(4):791-815.
19 Otsuka H, Inaba M, Fujikura T, Kunitomo M. Histochemical and functional characteristics of metachromic cells in the nasal epithelium in allergic rhinitis: studies of nasal scrapings and their dispersed cells. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1995; 96:528-536.
20 Mittman P. Randomized, double-blind study of freeze-dried Urtica dioica in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Planta Med 1990; 56(1):44-7.
21 Brinker F. Botanical Research Summaries 1989. Eclectic Dispensatory of Botanical Therapeutics, Portland, Oregon, pp. 4-36.
22 Picrorhiza kurroa. Monograph. Alternative medicine review 2001 ; 6(3):319-21
23 Dorsch W, Wagner H. New antiasthmatic drugs from traditional medicine? Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol 1991;94:262-265.
24 Baruah CC, Gupta PP, Nath A, et al. Anti-allergic and anti-anaphylactic activity of picroliv – a standardised iridoid glycoside fraction of Picrorhiza kurroa. Pharmacol Res 1998; 38:487-492.
25 Labadie RP, van der Nat JM, Simons JM, et al. An ethnopharmacognostic approach to the search for immunomodulators of plant origin. Planta medica 1989; 55(4):339-48.
26 Gulati K, Ray A, Debnath PK, Bhattacharya SK. Immunomodulatory Indian medicinal plants. Journal of Natural Remedies 2002; 2(2):121-131.
27 Bone K. Clinical Appliations of Ayurvedic and Chinse Herbs. Warwick, Queensland: Phytotherapy Press; 2000:75-9.
28 Newall CA, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-Care Professionals. London: Pharmaceutical Press; 1996:239-40.
29 Lee H-B, Oh JW, Chung YH, Choi Y, Shin IC, Lee JS. Immunomodulator effects of herbal Scutellaria baicalensis extract on cytokine production by Der p I-specific CD4+ cells in atopic individuals. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2000; 105(1 part 2):S151.
30 Homma M, Minami M, Taniguchi C, Oka K, Morita S, Niitsuma T, Hayashi T. Inhibitory effects of lignans and flavonoids in Saiboku-To, a herbal medicine for bronchial asthma, on the release of leukotrienes from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Planta Medica 2000; 66(1):88-91.
31 Brattstrom A. A newly developed extract (Ze 339) from butterbur (Petasites hybridus L.) is clinically efficient in allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Phytomedicine 2003; 10 (Suppl 4):50-2.
32 Thome OAR, Schapowal A, Heinisch IVWM; Wiesmann UN, Simon H-U. Anti-inflammatory activity of an extract of Petasites hybridus in allergic rhinitis. International immunopharmacology 2002; 2(7):997-1006.
33 Schapowal A. Randomised controlled trial of butterbur and cetirizine for treating seasonal allergic rhinitis. BMJ (Clinical research ed.) 2002; 324(7348):144-6.
Gene Bruno, MS, MHS, the dean of academics for Huntington College of Health Sciences, is a nutritionist, herbalist, writer and educator. For more than 30 years he has educated and trained natural product retailers and health care professionals, has researched and formulated natural products for dozens of dietary supplement companies, and has written articles on nutrition, herbal medicine, nutraceuticals and integrative health issues for trade, consumer magazines and peer-reviewed publications. He can be reached at gbruno@hchs.edu.
Although generally not life-threatening, allergies can ruin a perfectly good day and make you miserable. An allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to a substance called an antigen, which is foreign to the body, but otherwise harmless1 (e.g., pollen from grasses and flowers, etc.). In an allergic individual, the harmless antigen becomes an allergen; a substance that initiates an allergic reaction. The term allergy is of Greek origin and means “abnormal response.”
Allergic rhinitis affects up to 30 percent of the population worldwide.2 In the United States, about 7.5 percent or 17.6 million adults were diagnosed with hay fever in the past 12 months.3 Likewise one in 12 people (about 25 million, or 8 percent of the U.S. population) has asthma—that’s up from one in 14 people only a few years earlier.4 Comparatively, one in 10 children have asthma.5 Allergic disease, including asthma, is the fifth leading chronic disease in the U.S. in people of all ages. It is the third most common chronic disease in children under 18 years old.6
Both conventional medicine and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) offer various treatments for allergies. This article will focus on CAM treatments—specifically nutraceuticals. Before reviewing those treatments, however, let’s first take a look at what’s going on with the immune system whose overreaction causes the allergic reactions in the first instance.
The Immune System and Allergies
The body’s immune defenses may be grouped into two broad areas: nonspecific and specific. These defenses provide you with your immunity; your ability to overcome the effects of certain harmful microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, viruses). Non-specific defenses include certain mechanical and chemical factors in the skin and mucous membranes of the body (such as in the lungs), which are involved in combating the initial attempt of a microbe to invade. The specific defenses involve the production of antibodies by certain organs of the immune system, including the thymus gland, bone marrow, the spleen, lymph nodes and the lymphatic system in general.7,8
Special white blood cells called macrophages are part of the non-specific immune defenses. Macrophages are not found in the bloodstream but at locations where body organs interface with the environment or the bloodstream; for example, in the lungs, spleen, bone marrow and liver. Macrophages have special jobs including identifying foreign invaders (such as pollen or bacteria), and helping to determine if they are good guys or bad guys. If the macrophages decide the foreign invader is a harmful microbe, then they may devour it. If the macrophages wrongly identify harmless antigens as bad guys, then they set in motion inflammatory processes, including the activation of mast cells.9 Mast cells are found in tissues, and their contents (e.g., histamines, leukotrienes) along with those of basophils (mast cells counterparts in the blood), are responsible for the symptoms of allergy.
Although this is a very simplified explanation, and the allergic process involves other immune cells and activities, for our purposes this should provide sufficient background so that we can proceed into the discussion of CAM treatments for allergies.
Echinacea
Echinacea is an herb most popularly associated with treating or preventing the common cold and/or other respiratory infections.10 However, a review of scientific literature published between 1980 and 2003 revealed that echinacea is one of the most common herbs used to treat upper respiratory tract allergies. These applications make sense considering the fact that echinacea has been shown to promote innate immune response.11 As a matter of fact, among the many pharmacological properties reported, macrophage activation has been demonstrated most convincingly.12 It is this property of acting on non-specific immunity that suggests a positive role for echinacea in modulating immune function in allergies,13 and offers support to echinacea’s widespread use for this purpose. Specifically, the concept is that if macrophages can do a better job at correctly identifying harmless antigenic substances (such as pollens) as being harmless rather than identifying them as foreign invaders (allergens), then the whole allergic process may be staved off in the first instance. At this point is should be noted that there is a popular misconception that echinacea should only be used for a limited period of time, since it will cease its effectiveness otherwise. This misconception was based upon misinterpretations of a specific study on echinacea, which demonstrated decreased immune activity after about 10 days.14 However, if the study is carefully read, it is clear that the echinacea was only administered for five days; after which point it was discontinued. Only when it was discontinued did immune activity begin to decline; and even then is still remained elevated above normal for a few days.15 Furthermore, other research (as well as a history of traditional use) support the effectiveness of echinacea when used for extended periods of time.11
Quercetin
Quercetin is a plant flavonoid with antihistamine and has anti-inflammatory properties.16 In fact, flavonoids like quercetin have some of the most well-documented evidence published to date of natural compounds with regard to inhibitory action on mast cells and allergic symptoms;17 and quercetin is thought to be the most effective antihistaminic and antiallergic flavonoid.18 In a Japanese study of mast cells from nasal mucosa of individuals with perennial allergic rhinitis, quercetin significantly inhibited histamine release. Quercetin’s effect was almost twice that of the drug sodium cromoglycate at the same concentration.19 Quercetin acts by inhibiting the release of histamine and other inflammatory molecules from mast cells.14
Stinging Nettles
In a double-blind randomized study of 98 individuals with allergic rhinitis, 300 mg of freeze dried stinging nettles was rated higher than placebo by a significant degree in reducing allergic symptoms after taking it for one week. Among the subjects, 58 percent rated it moderately or highly effective, and 48 percent indicated it was equally or more effective than previously used medicines.20,21 At least 600 mg daily is recommended.
Picrorhiza
Picrorhiza kurroa is a well-known herb in the ayurvedic (i.e., East Indian) system of medicine; used traditionally to treat disorders of the liver and upper respiratory tract, as well as other disorders.22 Research on bronchial obstruction has shown that constituents of picrorhiza prevented allergen- and platelet-activating factor-induced bronchial obstruction when given to guinea pigs; and other research shows that picrorhiza inhibited histamine release.23 When given to mice and rats, picrorhiza extract resulted in a decrease in mast cell activity.24 It is interesting to note that picrorhiza has also been shown to have immunomodulating properties,25,26 which may be another mechanism by which it is beneficial for allergies.
Scutellaria
Scutellaria baicalensis, or baikal scullcap, is an herb used in combinations in traditional Chinese medicine to treat allergies, and has been documented in research as such to treat allergic rhinitis.27 In in-vitro or test tube research, anti-allergy actions have been documented with scutellaria.28 In addition, scutellaria has been shown to have an immunomodulating effect on certain cells in allergic individuals.29 Anti-allergenic components of scutellaria have been shown to inhibit the release of inflammatory leukotrienes.30 Components of scutellaria have also been shown to reduce allergic contractions in the lungs of sensitized animals.20
Butterbur
As an extract, the herb butterbur has been shown to be clinically efficient in the treatment of allergic rhinitis (hay fever).31 Research has demonstrated that butterbur is effective in reducing allergic symptoms, as well as significantly reducing histamine and leukotrienes levels after only five days of use.32 As a matter of fact, the clinical efficacy of butterbur extract was compared with an established antihistamine drug (cetirizine) in a double-blind study33 to evaluate its effectiveness in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. The results were that the butterbur was equally as effective as the drug for this purpose, but without the sedative effects of the antihistamine.
Conclusion
If you're bothered by allergies, but aren't sure to what extent, you might want to get professionally evaluated and tested by an allergist. In addition, the use of any or all of the aforementioned natural substances may help to provide you with significant relief from your allergic symptoms. VR
References:
1 Silbernag S, Lang F. Color Atlas of Pathophysiology. Stuttgart: Thieme; 2000:52.
2 Pawankar R, Canonica GW, Holgate ST, Lockey RF. WAO White Book on Allergy. Milwaukee, WI: World Allergy Organization; 2011.
3 Schiller JS, Lucas JW, Ward BW, Peregoy JA. Summary health statistics for U.S. adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2010. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat. 2012;10(252):208 pgs.
4 American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Asthma Facts. Retrieved January 22, 2016 from www.aaaai.org/about-the-aaaai/newsroom/asthma-statistics.aspx.
5 Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics. America’s Children in Brief: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, 2012. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. Retrieved January 22, 2016 from www.childstats.gov/pdf/ac2012/ac_12.pdf.
6 American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Allergy Facts. Retrieved January 22, 2016 from http://acaai.org/news/facts-statistics/allergies.
7 Tortora G, Anagnostakos N. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. New York: Harper & Row; 1981:540-49.
8 Curtis H. Biology. New York: Worth Publishers; 1983:746-61.
9 Silbernag S, Lang F. Color Atlas of Pathophysiology. Stuttgart: Thieme; 2000:42-48.
10 Bielory L. Complementary and alternative interventions in asthma, allergy, and immunology. Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology 2004; 93(2 Suppl 1):S45-54.
11 Bauer R, Hoheisel O, Stuhlfauth I, Wolf H. Extract of the Echinacea purpurea herb: an allopathic phytoimmunostimulant. Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift 1999 ; 149(8-10):185-9
12 Barrett B. Medicinal properties of Echinacea: A critical review. Phytomedicine 2003; 10(1):66-86.
13 Mills S, Bone K. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingston; 2000:354.
14 Jurcic K, Melchart D, Holzmann M, Martin P, et al. Zwei Probandenstudien zur Stimulierung der Granulozyten-phagozytose durch Echinacea-Extrakt-haltige Präparate. Z Phytother 1989;10(2):67-70.
15 Bone K. Echinacea: When Should It Be Used? Alt Med Rev 1997; 2(6):451-458.
16 Quercetin. Healthnotes Online 2004. Delicious Living: New Hope Natural Media. Accessed November 22, 2004 from www.deliciouslivingmag.com/ healthnotes/healthnotes.cfm?ContentID=2904007.
17 Theoharides T.C.; Bielory L. Mast cells and mast cell mediators as targets of dietary supplements. Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 2004; 93(2 SUPPL 1):S24-S34.
18 Rygwelski JM. Allergic rhinitis: A sampling of complementary therapies. Clinics in Family Practice 2002; 4(4):791-815.
19 Otsuka H, Inaba M, Fujikura T, Kunitomo M. Histochemical and functional characteristics of metachromic cells in the nasal epithelium in allergic rhinitis: studies of nasal scrapings and their dispersed cells. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1995; 96:528-536.
20 Mittman P. Randomized, double-blind study of freeze-dried Urtica dioica in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Planta Med 1990; 56(1):44-7.
21 Brinker F. Botanical Research Summaries 1989. Eclectic Dispensatory of Botanical Therapeutics, Portland, Oregon, pp. 4-36.
22 Picrorhiza kurroa. Monograph. Alternative medicine review 2001 ; 6(3):319-21
23 Dorsch W, Wagner H. New antiasthmatic drugs from traditional medicine? Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol 1991;94:262-265.
24 Baruah CC, Gupta PP, Nath A, et al. Anti-allergic and anti-anaphylactic activity of picroliv – a standardised iridoid glycoside fraction of Picrorhiza kurroa. Pharmacol Res 1998; 38:487-492.
25 Labadie RP, van der Nat JM, Simons JM, et al. An ethnopharmacognostic approach to the search for immunomodulators of plant origin. Planta medica 1989; 55(4):339-48.
26 Gulati K, Ray A, Debnath PK, Bhattacharya SK. Immunomodulatory Indian medicinal plants. Journal of Natural Remedies 2002; 2(2):121-131.
27 Bone K. Clinical Appliations of Ayurvedic and Chinse Herbs. Warwick, Queensland: Phytotherapy Press; 2000:75-9.
28 Newall CA, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-Care Professionals. London: Pharmaceutical Press; 1996:239-40.
29 Lee H-B, Oh JW, Chung YH, Choi Y, Shin IC, Lee JS. Immunomodulator effects of herbal Scutellaria baicalensis extract on cytokine production by Der p I-specific CD4+ cells in atopic individuals. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2000; 105(1 part 2):S151.
30 Homma M, Minami M, Taniguchi C, Oka K, Morita S, Niitsuma T, Hayashi T. Inhibitory effects of lignans and flavonoids in Saiboku-To, a herbal medicine for bronchial asthma, on the release of leukotrienes from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Planta Medica 2000; 66(1):88-91.
31 Brattstrom A. A newly developed extract (Ze 339) from butterbur (Petasites hybridus L.) is clinically efficient in allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Phytomedicine 2003; 10 (Suppl 4):50-2.
32 Thome OAR, Schapowal A, Heinisch IVWM; Wiesmann UN, Simon H-U. Anti-inflammatory activity of an extract of Petasites hybridus in allergic rhinitis. International immunopharmacology 2002; 2(7):997-1006.
33 Schapowal A. Randomised controlled trial of butterbur and cetirizine for treating seasonal allergic rhinitis. BMJ (Clinical research ed.) 2002; 324(7348):144-6.
Gene Bruno, MS, MHS, the dean of academics for Huntington College of Health Sciences, is a nutritionist, herbalist, writer and educator. For more than 30 years he has educated and trained natural product retailers and health care professionals, has researched and formulated natural products for dozens of dietary supplement companies, and has written articles on nutrition, herbal medicine, nutraceuticals and integrative health issues for trade, consumer magazines and peer-reviewed publications. He can be reached at gbruno@hchs.edu.
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