Plants to Avoid if You’re Allergic to Ragweed
Uggh! Allergies! Pollen and food allergies can really make you miserable. Stuffy nose, runny eyes, itchy everything, headaches, and more! When you’re allergic to the pollen of just certain plants, then you usually have a couple of months out of the year that you suffer. Generally, it’s trees in the spring, grasses in the summer, and ragweed in the late summer and fall. If you’re allergic to ragweed like I am, however, you may find that you have mysterious episodes of similar allergic reactions at other times of the year besides the fall. It could be because you are consuming or using plants that are related to ragweed. Some of these can cause a reaction similar to the hayfever reactions of ragweed. If you are wondering about this yourself, then here are some plants and foods to avoid if you’re allergic to ragweed.
Foods and Plants to Avoid if You’re Allergic to Ragweed
Some may not cause any allergic reaction for you. Over time or in combinations, however, your body might start having a similar reaction to these common plants and herbs as it has to Ragweed. This has happened to me. For a couple of these, I developed dermatitis on the back of my hands or random itchy red bumps, as well as the stuffy, itchy nose and itchy, bloodshot eyes.
These plants products are commonly consumed:
Chamomile
Stevia
Sunflower – oil and seeds
Safflower oil
Sage
Some people who are allergic to Ragweed are also allergic to the following foods. Generally, they have a more immediate reaction to them, like an itchy mouth or swollen tongue. You probably already know if you have a sensitivity to them. According to The College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the sensitivity to certain foods is “tied to the fact that some fruit and vegetable proteins are genetic cousins to certain pollens, like ragweed. So people allergic to pollen may experience symptoms when they eat related foods….” Some of these foods are:
Melons
Cucumbers
Zucchini
Lettuce
Endive
Bananas
Medicinal Herbs to Avoid if You’re Allergic to Ragweed
Some Other Medicinal or Seasoning Herbs that are Related: These are some very common medicinal herbs and could be found in herbal or natural cold & flu, allergy, skincare, pain rub or parasite cleanse preparations.
Echinacea
Yarrow
Dandelion
Arnica
Burdock
Calendula
Goldenrod
Wormwood
Boneset
Mugwort
Common Garden Flowers Related to Ragweed
Some who suffer from ragweed allergies also are sensitive to certain flowers. You should probably avoid planting these in your garden:
Daisies
Dahlias
Chrysanthemum
What to Do
If you want to test the theory, stop using or consuming any plants on the list. Do this for at least three months and see if you notice any changes–which is basically an elimination diet. Have your allergic reactions eased up? You could add one of the foods or plants back into your diet for a week or two and see if you have any allergic symptoms. Sometimes you will know right away, but sometimes it could take a week or two for it to build up.
Be sure to check the ingredients on herbal or health supplements as they often include various medicinal herbs, and lots of baked products contain sunflower or safflower oil.
If you’re concerned about these symptoms, it may be a good idea to see an allergist. According to The College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, “An allergist can help you predict which additional foods might potentially cause problems, based on pollen skin test results. Because they break down quickly, oral allergy food proteins are not often detected in standard food allergy skin tests. But if you take the fresh fruit to the appointment and do a skin test with that, it may be positive.” I haven’t been to an allergist myself, so I’m not sure what if any treatments they have to offer for this type of allergy. For me it just makes sense to avoid that plant.
You Can Heal Your Allergies
The good news is, it is possible to heal your body of allergies. According to studies AND practice, people are finding permanent relief from seasonal and food allergies by healing their gut. It takes some time and dedication to health, but people are learning the great importance of having a healthy gut biome. For more information, read my article How to Heal Your Allergies by Healing Your Gut Biome. (Article Coming Soon!) You can also search gut health, probiotics and prebiotics.
I have begun eliminating the plants to avoid if you’re allergic to ragweed from my diet and health care routine, and I also am focusing on healing my gut. Cutting out toxins, eating probiotic-rich foods while eating nutrient-dense foods is where I am starting. I have taken homeopathic ragweed supplements for years and it has helped tremendously.
If you have healed your allergies, please let us know how in the comments! My readers and I appreciate the encouragement and ideas.
You May Also Like My Articles:
How to Make Plantain Anti-Itch and First Aid Spray
Easy DIY Intestinal Parasite Cleanse
Nearly Magical Sore Throat Healing Tea and Natural Remedies that Really Work
I never realized ragweed was related to so many other plants.
I know. I ignored it for several years after learning about it because I didn’t want to accept it. ha! But when I started noticing reactions to certain other plants, I could no longer ignore it.
Interesting! We don’t have ragweed here in New Mexico (except for bizarre out-of-staters who buy it at Garden Shops here (I’m not kidding). We have plenty of other allergens around here, though, like juniper, cottonwood, and mulberry pollen. Thanks for the info!
If the people who buy it are herbalists, I understand why. Ragweed–even though it can cause a strong allergic reaction in some–can also help you with allergy symptoms. It’s a paradox I don’t fully understand. I have taken either homeopathic or tinctured Ragweed in the summer for years and I now am barely allergic to Ragweed. I still have allergic reactions to some of its relatives, though. This is something I’m very interested in understanding.
I don’t suffer from allergies like this but the information is valuable for those who do.
Great. Thank you!
Interesting! I never would have thought of how they were all related.
I know. And some aren’t actually related but they have a similar protein that our bodies react to. Weird science. Ha
Wow – this is great information! I have allergies but I am not sure exactly why as I can only pin it down during seasons and I haven’t really payed attention. However, this comparison to food is awesome and can help in getting to the bottom of allergies…and food issues!
I didn’t realize you should avoid stevia if you’re allergic to ragweed. I use that everyday!
I know! I was, too. We just need to be aware and that if we are having some allergic symptoms, we may need to eliminate that food or herb.
I found it interesting that some foods also cause allergy issues.
Great tips as usual. Thanks for posting awesome helpful articles!
Very interesting! MY daughter seems to break out whenever she’s outside near plants so maybe we will look into these even more. Thank you!
This is such helpful information. I have never thought about allergies to ragweeds may cause certain food allergies as well.
This is great info. My daughter has terrible seasonal allergies. Thanks!
I’ve never even heard of ragweed before…I’m assuming we don’t have it in Hawaii but maybe we do! I didn’t think one allergy could be related to so many more!!! That must be difficult!
I looked it up and the only state without it is Alaska. Glad you’re not allergic!
I wonder if it works the other way around…I find that I am allergic to several items in here and wonder if I am allergic to ragweed or may become so…
Very possible. I have a history of reactions to ragweed that can’t be ignored–stuffy, runny, itchy nose and eyes mainly. But you could be sensitive to a number of things and get a milder reaction, I suppose.
I’m so thankful I only have a slight hint of seasonal allergies!
Good. Keep your gut health strong and you likely won’t get any worse, from what I understand.
I have a ragweed allergy. I heard that sunflowers can aggrevate it. Windering if i can use a natural soap that contains sunflower oil.
That’s a good question. I still eat sunflowers but not every day. I think it is something you just need to be aware of. I might try an elimination diet and include skincare products. Then add in the sunflower based soap and see if it makes a difference.
Thank you for this list! I kept reacting to Stevia (vomiting!) and then found out it was related to ragweed. Now I now what else to avoid.
Wow, Bren. That is quite a reaction to Stevia! Glad my article helped. 🙂
I am allergic to ragweed. Deodorants with chamomile set me on fire with itching and were my first introduction to the fact that other familial ingredients can affect you. Some shampoos used in the shower, broke me out and itched all down my back and legs as well. This list is mind boggling to me but may be the cause of my extreme skin itching problems. On road trips, I also can just drive through an area where my nose and throat get filled with congestion but I do not stay chronically congested. I have assumed there was ragweed pollen in the air, but could be a number of things. I grow stevia and sage in my herb garden, and have my flowerbeds lined with daisies / gerber daisies. My vegetable garden has echinacea and marigolds for color and pollination. Have I been causing my own problems??? Thanks for sharing.
It’s possible. I didn’t show signs of being allergic to yarrow when I only used it externally. But when I ingested it, then it was a problem. I could also pull up ragweed before it bloomed without issue. Some of those plants are pollinated by insects, so it is unlikely that you would be allergic to the pollen as it doesn’t fly in the air like ragweed does. Look up how those plants are pollinated to know which ones could be causing you problems.
Also, check into homeopathy for ragweed. After using it for several years, I am now only mildly allergic to ragweed. They have them for other plants, as well.
I’m allergic to ragweed. It was recommended by my provider that I take Senna for chronic constipation. Swiss Kriss had excellent reviews, except for someone who is allergic to ragweed ( it has calendula flowers in it). Should I avoid it, or try it?
I personally don’t seem to be allergic to calendula even with a ragweed allergy, but everyone is different. If you take it, just be aware that if you get a hayfever reaction or rash, that it could be caused by the calendula. I’m not a doctor, so you may want to ask your doctor about it and for alternative formulas. (As for chronic constipation, look into SIBO. Many doctors don’t treat for it. Look online and talk to him/her about it.)
I’m allergic to pollen AND ragweed. I’ve been getting allergy shots for two years now…
three more years to go! I take stinging nettle everyday (around the clock) and it seems
that with the nettle and the shots, I can eat sunflower seed/butter and bananas until
my head falls off without any allergic reaction. If we are taking an anti histamine –
why would we still need to avoid these foods/herbs? Right?
I would think that a lot of people can do that with moderation. Glad you’re finding help!
Omg I kept breaking out with stevia, didn’t know why but it does the same thing dandelion tea did!! Cause skin abrasions
Now I know don’t chew stevia gum lol
Great article thank you
I’m so glad you found an answer through this article. Be well! ~ Carmen
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