Anaphylaxis is a rapid, life-threatening allergic reaction that can occur within minutes of exposure to an allergen. It involves a massive immune response that can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, airway constriction, skin reactions, nausea, and shock. Immediate treatment with epinephrine and emergency care is required; without prompt treatment, anaphylaxis can be fatal.
Peanut allergy is one of the most common triggers of anaphylaxis in children, affecting roughly 6% of young children.
A study published in Clinical and Experimental Allergy (2007;37:846–855) investigated a traditional Chinese herbal formula known as FAHF-2 in mice bred to develop severe peanut allergy. The formula contains a combination of nine Chinese herbs. One group of peanut-sensitized mice received FAHF-2 for seven weeks, while a control group received water.
After treatment—and again four weeks later—the mice were exposed to peanuts. Mice that received FAHF-2 were completely protected from anaphylactic reactions at both time points. In contrast, mice in the placebo group developed severe allergic responses. The sustained protection suggests that FAHF-2 may alter immune balance in a way that suppresses allergic reactions.
