Morning, noon and night
Three random things I learned, or remembered, todayArchive for Allergy
Fiori di Capri
NIGHT
I ordered some perfume from “Carthusia” in Capri and it arrived today. Cologne rather than perfume. One was “Fiori di Capri” and he other “Aria di Capri.”
Why?
Well, for some time I’ve felt I had a fragrance sensitivity which made me sneeze, caused puffy eyes and a very mild wheeze. Since I’ve never been asthmatic before, it makes me wonder how a truly asthmatic patient might respond to such a perfume sensitivity.
I never wear perfume now and miss it!
Many years ago I bought some “Fiori di Capri” while on holiday on the island and quite liked it. I realise now that this fragrance and “Aria di Capri” are the two that are made to the original monks’ recipe from centuries ago. Assuming this is the case, I reckoned they might be more chemical free than modern perfumes and be less likely to cause symptoms.
So, I’m trying them out to see.
Below is a link to the Carthusia Website (in Italian).
More legumes
NIGHT
I was a bit fascinated by the fact that lupin flour (lupin or lupine being a legume) could cross react with people who have peanut allergy (peanut being another legume).
Here are some more legumes. I wonder how many of them cross react too.
Peas
Beans
Soya beans
Lentils
Fenugreek
Senna
Licorice.
Acacia
Carob
Guar
Tragacanth
I wonder if there are any more that we eat.
I wonder if an individual who has peanut allergy might react after handling lupins or sweet peas?
All the more reason to wash your hands after handling any kind of flower or plant, I suppose.
And to cover any cuts on the hands too.
Avocado hair conditioner
NOON
Here’s another home made hair conditioning recipe I’m going to try.
1/2 of an avocado
1 small jar of real mayonnaise
Mash up the avocado and mix thoroughly with the mayonnaise. Put the mixture over hair and cover with a shower cap for 20 minutes or so. Rinse thoroughly.
I suppose the benfit comes from the protein in egg with the fat in avocado.
Not for egg allergic people or those allergic to avocado. Some people with latex allergy may be allergic to avocado but may be unaware of this.
This recipe has whet my appetite. I’ve found a nice ripe avocado in my fruit bowl. I think I’d rather eat it tonight and do the hair thing another time.
Fragrance free hair conditioner
MORNING
I can remember eggs used to be used as a hair conditioner.
Here is a recipe for this that’s slightly more sophisticated that just breaking an egg over your head.
1 egg yolk
1/2 tsp olive oil
3/4 cup lukewarm water
Beat up an egg yolk and very gradually beat in a half teaspoonful of olive oil a few drops at a time.
Gradually beat in the lukewarm water. After shampooing hair, pour all of this preparation on to the hair, massage in and leave for a few minutes before rinsing.
I suppose its OK as long as the eggs are salmonella free and you don’t have an egg or olive allergy!
Fragrance sensitivity
NIGHT
Fragrance allergy is not uncommon and often goes unnoticed. It might not be a true allergy but more of an irritation. But one way or another, the symptoms can be the same as an allergy.
I think I have a perfume allergy.
It Is a pest.
Shampoos and conditioners can be a problem. Perfumed hair lies on the pillow with you all night. You toss and turn, in close contact with the fragrance and may end up with puffy eyes and a cough in the mornings. The cough may be mild asthma.
I am going to explore some home made fragrance free recipes and try them out.
Curds and whey
NIGHT
“Little Miss Muffet sat on a tuffet
Eating her curds and whey…………..”
She was eating milk curdled with rennet with the protein rich liquid. Whey is rich in milk protein but is low in lactose.
Whey is used by some bodybuilders as a supplement, but some are unaware of the milk origin of this product. It can cause serious reactions in those known to have a milk allergy.
Apparently.
Carmine allergy
NIGHT
Carmine is a beautiful shade of red and as well as an art pigment is frequently added as a dye to foods and cosmetics. It is obtained from the cochineal insect.
In Europe this dye is regulated under the food additives directive and is known as Cochineal, Carminic acid, Carmines and Natural
Red 4 or as additive E 120.
An individual may develop allergy to carmine because of sensitivity to the protein residues from the cochineal insect present in the dye.
Oil of Bergamot
NIGHT
Oil of Bergamot is the favouring agent used in Earl Grey Tea
Yes, I knew that.
What I didn’t know was that it comes from the peel of a non-edible citrus plant citrus aurantium var bergamia which is grown in southern Italy.
Bergamot oil is also used extensively in perfumery.
Here is a really interesting Website for chemists or would be perfumiers.
A SMALL GUIDE TO NATURES FRAGRANCES
I remember once visiting a wonderful perfumery in Capri many years ago. I wonder if they have a Website now. I’ll check tomorrow.
Peanut allergy and lupin flour
NIGHT
As a child, I was always told never, never to eat the seeds from the pods of lupins because although they look like pea-pods they are poisonous.
It came as a surprise, therefore to find that lupin flour was widely used in the continent. Lupin seeds are an excellent source of protein. Lupins don’t seem to be poisonous any more? Or were my parents wrong with their advice.
So, I’ve been looking into this. Apparently the seeds ARE toxic. They contain an alkaloid. They must be soaked thoroughly to get rid of this before making into flour. However lupins are now being bred that are low in alkaloids.
Lupins are the same family as peas and beans – other pod bearing plants – the leguminosae.
What is interesting is that they are also related to peanuts. Peanuts are not nuts at all, but legumes. Individuals who have peanut allergy may also have an allergic reaction if they eat products containing lupin flour because of cross reactivity. The reaction can be very severe and even fatal.
So my parents were correct, although they probably didn’t know the reason. Lupin seed ARE toxic AND can cause severe allergies.
But I still love to have lupins in the garden, and I adore their peppery scent.
