Milk

Approximately 2 to 3% of children under 3 years of age are allergic to cow’s milk and dairy products. Fortunately, 20% of children outgrow this allergy by age 4, and 80% of children outgrow it by age 16.

Cow’s milk is NOT used in Evergreen herbs and formulas, nor are dairy products.

Egg

Approximately 2% of children are allergic to eggs and the proteins in egg whites or yolks. Fortunately, 70% of children with an egg allergy outgrow this condition by age 16.

Eggs are NOT used in Evergreen herbs and formulas.

Note: Though Ji Zi Huang (Galli Vitellus), literally 'egg yolk', has been listed in the Chinese materia medica in the past, it is rarely used today as herbal medicine. It is more likely to be discussed as nutritional options.

Fish

Allergy to fish affects adults much more often than children. The 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 mean there will be cross allergy to other types of fish (i.e., tuna) or shellfish (shrimp, crab and lobster).

Fish is NOT used in Evergreen herbs and formulas.

Crustacean Shellfish

Peanuts

Peanut allergy is linked with anaphylaxis – which is, as mentioned above, a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate treatment. About 20% of children who have peanut allergies eventually outgrow it, according to the National Institutes of Health.

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

Peanuts are NOT used in Evergreen herbs and formulas, but may be mentioned in therapeutic recipes in Chinese nutrition.

Tree Nuts

Tree nuts come in many shapes and sizes. Though delicious, tree nuts may also be linked to anaphylaxis. Tree nut allergies often last a lifetime, and the chances of outgrowing tree nut allergies is less than 10 percent. Tree nuts associated with high risk of food allergy include: almonds, beech nuts, brazil nuts, butternuts, cashews, chestnuts, chinquapins, coconut, hazelnuts, gingko nuts, hickory nuts, lichee nuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts, pili nuts, pistachios, shea nuts, and walnuts.

HIGH Risk Tree Nuts

Chinese herbs that have high risk of triggering related tree nut allergy include ginkgo nuts and lichee nuts.

LOW Risk Tree Nuts

Chinese herbs that have low association with risk of tree nut allergies include peach seeds, Chinese dwarf cherry seeds, Chinese arborvitae seed and bitter apricot seeds.

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.

Some Chinese herbs are derived from soy or are processed with soy beans or soya-bean oil.

Wheat

Wheat allergies 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.

Some Chinese herbs are derived from wheat or contain wheat.

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).

Some Chinese herbs are derived from wheat, barley and rye, and may contain gluten.

Sesame

In April 2021, under the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act sesame was added as the 9th major food allergen recognized by the United States. Approximately 0.23% of the US population is allergic to sesame.

Chinese herbs or formulas that contain sesame are listed in the following table.