Chickweed is an herbal supplement that has been used for centuries to treat various medical conditions. Although there is not enough evidence to support theses claims, the herb is widely used to treat blood disorders, an upset stomach and asthma, according to Drugs.com. Intolerance is a general term that may used to describe an allergic reaction or the inability to properly digest the substance. If you develop unpleasant reactions while taking chickweed, stop using the herb until you can be seen by your doctor.
Chickweed Allergy
Taking a new supplement or drug puts you at risk of developing an allergic reaction. If you develop an allergy to the herb, you will develop symptoms within minutes of ingesting chickweed. A genuine allergic reaction to chickweed must cause the body to produce immunoglobulin E antibodies, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Antibodies are disease-fighting agents that protect the body from infections and harmful organisms. During an allergic reaction, the immune system makes a mistake and reacts to the chickweed as if it is dangerous. This causes the production of IgE antibodies, only created from an allergy.
Symptoms
Symptoms from an allergic reaction typically appear within minutes of ingesting the allergen. Most symptoms are the result of the presence of histamine in soft tissues. When IgE antibodies enter the blood stream, mast cells produce histamine in response. Histamine typically protects the body from infection, but when created in large quantities, it causes swelling. Swelling in various parts of your body can lead to skin rashes, hives, difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness, coughing, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and sinus congestion.
Digestive Difficulty
General intolerance to a substance or food typically refers to the inability to digest a certain substance of ingredient in a food. This type of intolerance is different from an allergic reaction because it does not involve the immune system. Symptoms are similar between the two conditions, but a genuine intolerance will only cause gastric symptoms to form. The body may lack the enzyme needed to digest and absorb the chickweed or it may cause a chemical reaction in the digestive system.
Treatment
Treating any intolerance begins with a clinical diagnosis of your condition. An allergic reaction is more serious than general intolerance because an allergy can cause life-threatening symptoms. The most effective treatment for both conditions is to avoid the use of chickweed. Your doctor can recommend a different herb or medication to treat your symptoms.
