Herbal pollen

The term herb/herbs has a different meaning. On the one hand it is (negatively) associated with "weed - better weed". On the other hand, the term has a positive connotation and is used for "kitchen herbs" or "medicinal herbs".

Mugwort: Most common allergy trigger among herbs. They fly from July to September; pollen size: 18 to 26 µm. Marker allergens are type v 1 (from the group of defensins), type v 3, 4, 5, type v 6 (pectatylase).

Goosefoot: relatively rarely causes allergies. The pollen fly between July and September. Size: 19-30 µm. Cross allergies with other herbs are rare.

Ragweed: Ragweed pollen contains aggressive allergens which are among the most important allergy triggers in North America. The pollen flies between August and October. Size: 18-20 µm.

Sorrel: Common trigger of allergic reactions. The pollen fly between May and August. Size: 21-33 µm. No known cross allergies.

Plantain: Frequent trigger of allergic reactions. Plantain flowers between May and October. Pollen size: 29-40 µm. No known cross-allergies. The main allergen of ribwort plantain is Pla l 1.

Sunflower: Rare allergen. Main allergens are Hel a 1(defensin) and Hel a 2(profilin).

Amaranth: Amaranthus retroflexus pollen is characterized by a high degree of regionality. Major allergen is Ama r 2, which belongs to the protein group of profilins.

1. Gadermaier G et al (2015) Marker allergens of herbal pollen: diagnostic benefits in everyday clinical practice. In: Kleine-Tebbe J et al. Hrsg Molecular Allergy Diagnostics. Springer Publishing House Berlin-Heidelberg S 195-204