Some food allergies and how to avoid them: Almonds to CoconutWritten by Thomas Ogren
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Buckwheat: Allergies to buckwheat are fairly common and people who work with buckwheat often develop this allergy. If you have allergies already, those buckwheat pillows might not be a very good idea for you. Carrots: see Celery. Celery: Celery allergy is one of most common of all food allergies. Carrots, celery, parsley, dill, and cilantro (coriander) are all closely related plants called umbels. Cross-reactions between these foods are common too. Itch and rash are most frequently seen examples of this allergy. * See separate article on this website on celery allergies. Cherries: Allergies to cherry pollen are common and anyone with pollen allergies is at increased risk of developing an allergy to eating cherries. My suggestion: if you have pollen allergies, don’t pig out on cherries. Also, don’t eat any cherry pie or preserved cherries (including Maraschino Cherries) during spring tree pollen months. Also, with cherry trees themselves, some cultivars are much more allergenic than others. Pie cherry trees (also called sour cherries even though fruit isn’t really all that sour) do not usually produce very much allergenic pollen, as trees are almost always self-fertile. Cherry trees that are sold as “needing a pollinator” likewise shed little allergenic pollen. Cherry trees sold as being good pollinizers, these are ones that shed considerable pollen. Chives: see Onions. Citrus: Cross-reactions within genus are common, so if someone is allergic to oranges he may well also be allergic to lemons and limes. Most reactions to citrus are probably not true allergies though, and chlorogenic acid in these fruits may just be causing upset stomach. Coconut: This is an allergy that most commonly shows up in teenagers and it is one that with any luck may be eventually outgrown. Most common allergic reaction to coconut is rash or itchy skin.
Thomas Ogren is the author of Allergy-Free Gardening, Ten Speed Press. Tom does consulting work on landscapes and allergies for the USDA, county asthma coalitions, and the Canadian and American Lung Associations. He has appeared on HGTV and The Discovery Channel. His book, Safe Sex in the Garden, was published in 2003. In 2004 Time Warner Books published his latest book: What the Experts May NOT Tell You About: Growing the Perfect Lawn. His website: www.allergyfree-gardening.com
| | Local Honey and AllergiesWritten by Tom Ogren
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When I’m asked how local should honey be for allergy prevention I always advise to get honey that was raised closest to where you live, closer better since it will have more of exactly what you’ll need. It may seem odd that straight exposure to pollen often triggers allergies but that exposure to pollen in honey usually has opposite effect. But this is typically what we see. In honey allergens are delivered in small, manageable doses and effect over time is very much like that from undergoing a whole series of allergy immunology injections. The major difference though is that honey is a lot easier to take and it is certainly a lot less expensive. I am always surprised that this powerful health benefit of local honey is not more widely understood, as it is simple, easy, and often surprisingly effective.
Thomas Ogren is the author of Allergy-Free Gardening, Ten Speed Press. Tom does consulting work on landscapes and allergies for the USDA, county asthma coalitions, and the Canadian and American Lung Associations. He has appeared on HGTV and The Discovery Channel. His book, Safe Sex in the Garden, was published in 2003. In 2004 Time Warner Books published his latest book: What the Experts May NOT Tell You About: Growing the Perfect Lawn. His website: www.allergyfree-gardening.com
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