Wheat allergy--also called celiac disease--is an allergy to the gluten found in wheat. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss and skin problems. Wheat allergy can affect your body's ability to absorb nutrients and can lead to malnutrition. If you have a wheat allergy, you should follow the gluten-free diet prescribed by your doctor. Some people turn to herbal therapies to alleviate their wheat allergy. Never begin an herbal regimen without first discussing it with your doctor; herbs can cause side effects and interfere with prescription medications.
Echinacea
Echinacea--derived from the coneflower--is used for its digestive, purifying, immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties. High in zinc, echinacea may help people with celiac disease to avoid an imbalance in this essential mineral. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center website, celiac disease can cause an increased need for zinc. Echinacea can also help to treat the blisters that may accompany wheat allergies. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, echinacea can be used for wound and skin problems. If you are allergic to ragweed, you should not take echinacea.
Goldenseal
Goldenseal, a member of the buttercup family, has natural antibiotic and antiseptic qualities. An herbalist might prescribe it to soothe the gastric sensitivity in wheat allergy, and to help to heal heal damaged mucous membranes. Like echinacea, goldenseal may help to enhance immune system function. If you are pregnant or nursing, you should not take goldenseal.
Bromelain
Bromelain, the enzyme found in pineapples, inhibits the release of certain inflammation-causing chemicals; herbalists prescribe it to treat a variety of allergies, including allergies to wheat. According to Dr. Greg Kelly, N.D., a naturopathic doctor from Stamford, Connecticut, in one study, bromelain added to wheat flour allowed people with wheat allergies to eat the bread with no allergic response.
Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo biloba is high in phytochemicals and beneficial flavonoids, including quercetin, which make it useful in combatting the itchy skin blisters that can occur with wheat allergy. According to the Herbs 2000 website, quercetin is a natural antihistamine.
Horsetail
Horsetail, or Equisetum arvense, contains more silica--an important trace element--than any other plant in the world. According to the Herbs 2000 website, silica reduces inflammation in the gastointestinal tract, and strengthens and restores connective tissue.
Slippery Elm
Slippery elm contains mucilage, a spongy, slippery plant fiber that has soothing, demulcent and emollient abilities. It is because of this ingredient that slippery elm can help to reduce digestive tract inflammation from wheat allergy.
Evening Primrose Oil
Evening primrose oil, derived from the seeds of a yellow wildflower, is rich in vitamin E. It may help to soothe the itchy blisters of wheat allergy. According to the celiac.com website, evening primrose oil is a good source of omega-6 fatty acids that celiac sufferers often lack.
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