Fenugreek
Fenugreek seeds are used as spices and as medicines and have been found to cause adverse reactions in some individuals.
Patil et al reported on two cases of immediate allergy following ingestion, inhalation, and external application of fenugreek seed powder. For one person, inhalation of the fenugreek seed powder resulted in rhinorrhea (runny nose), wheezing, and fainting. The other person, who had chronic asthma, developed numbness of the head, facial angioedema, and wheezing after an application of fenugreek paste to her scalp as a treatment for dandruff (1).
Faeste et al note that Fenugreek is a common ingredient in Indian-style spiced foods and suggest that the increasing number of reports of adverse reactions to fenugreek probably reflect a trend, in the west, towards a more international cuisine.
Their study, published in 2009, identified allergenic fenugreek proteins by immunoblotting, using sera from 29 individuals with specific IgE to peanut and other legumes. In addition, 2 individuals were evaluated by skin prick test and open food challenge with native fenugreek powder.
The fenugreek dose that led to symptoms was about 2 mg in the open food challenge. In this study they had one person who reacted solely to fenugreek, the others all reacted to peanuts or other legumes as well as fenugreek.
They concluded that Fenugreek seed powder, an ingredient in spiced foods, contains several potential allergens and that there is evidence for a high rate of cross-reactivity to peanut (2).
Ebo et al describe the case of an individual who worked in a spice factory. He had to be treated for anaphylaxis after a meal that contained coriander. He also demonstrated urticaria, angioedema, rhino conjunctivitis and broncho-spasm during handling coriander and fenugreek. On testing he was found to be allergic to both coriander and fenugreek (3).
References
1. Allergy to fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum).
Patil SP, Niphadkar PV, Bapat MM.
Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 1997 Mar;78(3):297-300.
2. Allergenicity and antigenicity of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) proteins in foods.
Faeste CK, Namork E, Lindvik H.
J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009 Jan;123(1):187-94.
3. Coriander anaphylaxis in a spice grinder with undetected occupational allergy.
Ebo DG, Bridts CH, Mertens MH, Stevens WJ.
Acta Clin Belg. 2006 May-Jun;61(3):152-6.