FAQ- Can people with ragweed allergies use echinacea?

Q- Can people with ragweed allergies use echinacea?

A- Echinacea is part of the Asteraceae family, which is related to ragweed. Some people with ragweed allergies can use it without any issues. However, others do react and cannot tolerate it. If you have a ragweed allergy, we suggest talking to your practitioner before taking products with echinacea. In most cases, they will have you start at a very small dose to see how you respond. They may even have you take it while in the office and stay to be observed. Remember, we are not doctors and cannot prescribe which formulas you should take.

Related questions:

Q- What should I avoid if I have a ragweed allergy?

A- Several foods/ plants might cause problems for those with ragweed allergies. Some we think you'll find quite surprising

• Artichoke
• Banana
• Cantelope 
• Cucumber
• Chamomile
• Daisies
• Mango
• Sunflowers
• Zucchini

Honey with pollen may also cause problems for some people. 

You'll notice a lot of crossover on this list with lists of foods to be avoided by those with latex allergies. They are cross-reactive, meaning the body may recognize one as the other. So those with ragweed allergies often err on the side of caution, or outright cannot use latex-based products/ foods as well. 

Again, everyone reacts differently. Someone on the TriLight team has a ragweed allergy and cannot use any of the foods or herbs on the above list other than sunflower seeds and small amounts of chamomile. On the other hand, we've had lots of customers with ragweed allergies use our products with echinacea without any problems.

Take it slowly and always work closely with your healthcare provider whenever any allergies are involved. 

Q- How to identify ragweed plants?

A- With flowers, you'll know it's in the Asteraceae family because they all share the common classic "daisy" look. There are over 32,000 known species in this plant family! The flowers range from tiny to great big plate-sized flower heads. They're found in many countries around the world and are an important food source for pollinators, especially bees. 

Q- In what month is ragweed at its highest?

A- September in the United States is when ragweed usually peaks. Ragweed "season" starts in mid-August. We offer our ALRG product as well as a few other allergy support options. Note that a few items in this category do contain echinacea. 

Remember, everyone responds differently to food/plants related to those they are allergic to. Also remember that in some cases the body will "outgrow" an allergy and no longer be a concern. Do not panic if you have a ragweed allergy and are regularly using echinacea or eating any of the foods on the above list. Run it by your healthcare provider. They may recommend some allergy testing to make sure you're not putting yourself at risk. Our liquid herbal remedies are a good starting point for testing tolerance with your doctor because you can use only one drop. 

Learn more-

FAQ- Allergy concerns when taking herbs
Autumn Essentials
September Product of the Month: Triple Echinacea & Goldenseal