Milk

Approximately 2 to 3% of children under 3 years of age are allergic to milk and dairy products. Fortunately, approximately 20% of children outgrow it by age 4, and 80% of children outgrow it by age 6.

Milk is NOT used in Evergreen Herbs products.

Egg

Approximately 2% of children are allergic to eggs and the proteins in egg whites or yolks. Fortunately, approximately 70% of children with an egg allergy will outgrow this condition by age 6.

Egg is NOT used in Evergreen Herbs products.

Fish

Fish allergy affects adults much more than children. Risk of cross allergy is relatively low with fish, as having an allergy to one type of fish (i.e., bass, flounder or cod) does not necessarily mean there will be cross allergy to other type of fish (i.e., tuna) or shellfish (shrimp, crab and lobster).

Fish is NOT used in Evergreen Herbs products.

Crustacean Shellfish

Peanuts

Peanut allergy is linked with anaphylaxis – a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that require immediate treatment. Fortunately, approximately 20% of children who have peanut allergy eventually outgrow it, according to National Institute of Health.

Note: A peanut is not a tree nut, but a legume (in the same family as soybeans, peas and lentils).

Peanut is NOT used in Evergreen Herbs products.

Tree Nuts

Tree nuts come in many shapes and sizes. Though delicious, tree nuts may be linked to anaphylaxis. Tree nut allergies often last a lifetime, and the chance to outgrow it is less than 10 percent. Tree nuts with high risk of food allergy include: almond, black walnut, Brazil nut, California walnut, cashew, filbert/hazelnut, heartnut/japanese walnut, macadamia nut/bush nut, pecan, pine nut/pinon nut, pistachio and walnut (English, Persian). Of all the tree nuts listed above, He Tao Ren (Semen Juglandis), commonly known as walnut, is the only one that is also used as a Chinese herb.

Evergreen Herbs products do NOT contain tree nuts with allergy warning according to the FDA.

Soybeans

Soy is a common ingredient in infant formulas and many other processed foods. Allergy to soy is most common in infants and children under 3 years of age. Fortunately, most children outgrow soy allergy by age 10. In Chinese herbal medicine, soybean may be used as an herb or to process other herbs.

Wheat

Wheat allergies develop when develop when the body’s immune system becomes sensitized and overreacts to wheat protein. Allergic reactions affect many parts of the body, including skin (i.e., rash or eczema), nose (i.e., stuffy nose, runny nose), lung (i.e., asthma), and others.

Sesame

Sesame allergy affects a notable portion of people (estimated around 0.23% of U.S. children and adults), and reactions can range from mild to severe (including anaphylaxis). It's common in various cuisines, like in breads, tahini, sushi, or as a hidden ingredient in spices/flavor.

Sesame is known as Hei Zhi Ma (Semen Sesami Nigrum) in Chinese herbal medicine.

Others

In addition to the nine major groups of food allergy identified by the US FDA, there are three other common allergens: gluten, sulfite and latex.

Gluten

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Hypersensitivity to gluten may cause general signs and symptoms (i.e., diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain or fatigue) and specific illness (i.e., celiac disease in which the lining of the small intestine is damaged).

For Evergreen Herbs products that may contain gluten from wheat, please see the section on Wheat.

For Evergreen Herbs products that may contain gluten from barley, please see the chart below.

Note: Mai Ya (Fructus Hordei Germinatus) is sprouted barley. The gluten in barley is primarily in the form of hordeins (prolamin storage proteins in the endosperm). Sprouting/germination reduces the gluten content, but does not eliminate gluten completely. Therefore, people with mild gluten sensitivity (without celiac disease) tolerate sprouted grains better (easier digestion, fewer symptoms), but people with severe gluten intolerance or celiac disease must still avoid it entirely.

Sulfite

Sulfites are preservatives and antioxidants. They are commonly used in food products to prevent food from turning color and bacteria from spoiling foods. Sulfite is commonly found in foods such as dried fruits (excluding dark raisins and prunes), bottled lemon juice (non-frozen), bottled lime juice (non-frozen), sauerkraut (and its juice), grape juices (white, white sparkling, pink sparkling, red sparkling), pickled cocktail onions, and wine. Sulfite allergy occurs in approximately 1% of population.

Evergreen Herbs products are tested to ensure they meet and exceed the FDA safety limit [< 10 ppm].

Latex

Natural rubber latex is derived from the sap of Hevea brasiliensis, a rubber tree found in Africa and Southeast Asia. Allergic reactions to products made with latex develop in persons who become allergic (or sensitized) to proteins contained in natural rubber latex. Products that contain natural rubber latex include: disposable gloves, dental dams, airway and intravenous tubing, syringes, stethoscopes, catheters, dressings and bandages. Latex also is found in many consumer products. These include condoms, handbags, balloons, athletic shoes, tires, tools, leg and waistbands, rubber toys, baby bottles, nipples and pacifiers.

Du Zhong (Cortex Eucommiae) and Du Zhong Ye (Folium Eucommiae) are derived from the bark of Eucommia ulmoides, commonly known as hardy rubber tree that originated in central China. The bark and leaf of eucommia contain only a small amount of latex, approximately 4% by weight. Though natural rubber latex is a well-known contact allergen, it is unclear whether patients with topical latex allergy would respond adversely to oral ingestion of Du Zhong (Cortex Eucommiae) or Du Zhong Ye (Folium Eucommiae). Therefore, until more information is available, practitioners should use these two herbs with caution if the patients have known latex allergy.

Author

Dr. John K. Chen, Ph.D., Pharm.D., O.M.D., L.Ac., is the lead author of Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology (2003, Art of Medicine Press) and Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications (2008, Art of Medicine Press). He maybe reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (626) 810-5530.