Carmine asthma

JECFA, Combined compendium of food additive specifications, http //www.fao.org. Tabar-Purroy, A.I. et al.. Carmine (E 120) induced occupational asthma revisited, J. Allergy Clin. Immunol, 111, 415, 2003. 

Angelica is believed to possess antispasmodic, diaphoretic, expectorant, bitter aromatic, carminative, diuretic, and local anti-inflammatory properties. It is used for respiratory catarrh, psychogenic asthma, flatulent dyspepsia, anorexia nervosa, rheumatic diseases, and peripheral vascular disease. Specifically, it has been applied as a compress for pleurisy and bronchitis, especially for bronchitis associated with vascular deficiency. 

Thyme is reputed to possess carminative, antispasmodic, antitussive, expectorant, secretomotor, bactericidal, anthelmintic, and astringent properties. Traditionally, it is used for dyspepsia, chronic gastritis, asthma, diarrhea and enuresis in children, laryngitis, tonsillitis (as a gargle), and specifically for pertussis and bronchitis. 

Occupational asthma and food allergy due to carmine. Allergy 53(9) 897-901. 

There are many scientific reports (although typically not recent ones) on tartra-zine, azo, and non-azo dyes, which suggest that these colorings can cause adverse reactions (albeit not so frequently < 1%) (Nettis et al. 2003). There have been rare cases of urticaria or asthma developed after ingesting tartrazine or other azo dyes, but the relationship between the cause and illness symptoms is generally overestimated, as it is based on earlier studies (Nettis et al. 2003, Stevenson 2008, van Bever et al. 1989). It has also been identified that patent blue and carmine dye induced severe allergic reactions (Makinen-Kiljunen and Haahtela 2008). 

Baldwin, J.L., Chou, A.H., and Solomon, W.B. 1997. Popsicle-induced anaphylaxis due to carmine dye allergy. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 79 415—419. 

Forrer, A., Marco, F.M., Andreu, C., and Sempere, J.M. 2005. Occupational asthma to carmine in a butcher. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 138 243-250. 

Cloves are more often used to assist the action of other herbal remedies rather than alone. When not available, allspice is substituted. It is spicy, warming, stimulant, anodyne, anaesthetic (topical), antiemetic, antigriping (added to other herbs), vermifuge, uterine stimulant, stomachic, aromatic, carminative, antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antispasmodic, expectorant, aphrodisiac and promotes salivation and digestive juices. The oil is expectorant, anaesthetic, emmenogogue it affects the kidney, spleen and stomach and has preservative properties. Tea made from clove bud (other herbs/spices can be used or added to cloves, such as allspice, bay, cinnamon and marjoram) has been used to relieve bronchitis, asthma, coughs, a tendency to infection, tuberculosis, altitude... 

QUIRCE, S CUEVAS, M OLAGUIBEL, J.M. TABAR, A.I. (1994) Occupational asthma and immunologic responses induced by inhaled carmine among employees at a factory making natural dyes. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 93, 44-52. 

Aspirin is known to cause serious reactions in certain patients with asthma (Cooke 1919). The patients can also have rhinorrhea and nasal polyps that may precede the bronchoconstrictor type of intolerance to aspirin for months or years. This triad of symptoms is common in middle-aged women. The aspirin-sensitive patients often show intolerance to other analgesics (Smith 1971). Speer (1958) reported that color additives can precipitate asthma. Aspirin-sensitive patients with asthma also cross-react to tartrazine in 8%-15% of the cases (Chafee and Setti-PANE 1967 Samter and Beers 1967 Hosen 1972 Settipane and Pudupakkam 1975 Delaney 1976) and to various benzoates (Juhlin et al. 1972 Rosenhall and Zetterstrom 1973). Hypersensitivity to food colorants, preservatives, and analgesics was studied in 504 patients with asthma and rhinitis by Rosenhall (1977). Hypersensitivity to at least one of the substances was found in 106 patients. In 33 patients sensitive to tartrazine 42% were intolerant to aspirin and 39% to sodium benzoate. Rosenhall also tested his patients with other azo dyes such as Sunset Yellow and New Coccine as well as the non-azo dyes carmine and patent blue. The method of examination and reproducibility of the results were studied in detail. Dietary treatment was found to be effective in some patients in preventing exacerbations of the disease but on the whole had no influence on the course of the disease or the need for medication. 

Traditional use The underground parts are used as a diuretic, laxative, and carminative, and to treat pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, and ulcers, and also as a remedy for poisoning (Khodzhimatov 1989). 

Sulfonation of natural indigo produces the dark blue, water soluble pigment known as indigo carmine. Indigo carmine is used in some countries as a food colorant, but its use in the EU is not permitted. Indigo carmine is possibly a weak local sensitiser (slightly irritating to the eyes) and is harmful to the respiratory tract if inhaled (occupational asthma has been reported). 

Traditional Medicine. The seeds are used in India as an antispasmodic to treat asthma and bronchitis and diseases of the liver and spleen (nadkarni) also in kidney failure, bladder and kidney calculi, edema, gout, pleurisy, flatulence, and others (wichtl). Oil reportedly used as diuretic in dropsy and bladder ailments, as a nervine and antispasmodic, and in rheumatoid arthritis. In the European tradition, the seeds have been used as carminative, stomachic, emmenagogue, diuretic, and laxative also for glandular stimulation, gout, kidney stones, rheumatic complaints, nervous unrest, loss of appetite, and exhaustion (blumenthal i wichtl). Leaves and petioles are used for skin problems in addition to above uses. 

Traditional Medicine. Root has been used for millennia in China and India as a tonic, stomachic, carminative, and stimulant and in treating asthma, cough, dysentery, and cholera, among others also used in incense. 

Traditional Medicine. Both in domestic Western and Chinese medicine, dill seed and dill seed oil are used as aromatic carminative and stimulant in the treatment of flatulence, especially in children. Reported to have carminative, antispasmodic, sedative, lactago-gue, and diuretic properties. Used in India, Africa, and elsewhere for hemorrhoids, bronchial asthma, neuralgias, renal colic, dysuria, genital ulcers, dysmenorrhea, and others. In European tradition, dill herb is reportedly used as an antispasmodic for conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, kidney and urinary tract also for sleep disorders. ... 

Anti-inflammatory, anodyne, antipyretic, antispasmodic, carminative, emmenagogic, febrifuge, stimulant, tonic, and vermifuge activity used in migraine headache, asthma, rheumatism, gynecological problems, and so on. In Latin America used to promote functional activity of digestion, for colic, earache, stomachache, morning sickness, kidney pains, and so on. ... 

Origanum vulgare has been used as a stimulant, carminative, diaphoretic, and nerve tonic and as a cure for asthma, coughs, indigestion, rheumatism, toothaches, headaches, spider bites, and coronary conditions (rosengarten). 

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