2013 Volume 136 Pages 155-161
Japanese cedar pollen is the most common antigen responsible for allergic rhinitis in Japan. Antihistamine medication is commonly applied to reduce the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Benifuuki is a kind of Japanese green tea with a high O-methylated catechin content. It was demonstrated to have an anti-allergic effect on allergic rhinitis in an animal model. The purpose of the present study was to demonstrate the effect of Benifuuki on allergic rhinitis induced by Japanese cedar pollen. We studied the difference between the effect of Benifuuki and Yabukita (normal green tea without O-methylated catechin as a placebo) green tea. The two kinds (Benifuuki and Yabukita) of Japanese green tea were prepared for the patients with cedar pollinosis. The subjects comprised 104 Japanese cedar pollinosis patients, who were requested to drink tea 2 times a day following instructions on how to make the tea. The effect of the two types of tea was evaluated with immunological examinations, blood sampling, rhinomanometry and questionnaires concerning allergic symptoms before beginning this study and every month from January 2009 until April 2009 for four months up to the end of the Japanese cedar pollen season. Both the Benifuuki and Yabukita beverages were effective for the improvement of nasal obstruction, with the greater effect seen from the Benifuuki beverage. Taking the Benifuuki beverage before the onset of cedar pollinosis offered a constantly better result for nasal obstruction month by month and it was effective even taking the tea after the cedar pollen season had started. Improvement of such symptoms as sneezing and watery rhinorrhea was demonstrated in subjects taking the Benifuuki beverage, and improved activities of daily living were also observed in these subjects. Nowadays Japanese green tea is recognized as one of the alternative medicines, and is common healthy drinking seen worldwide with no side effects. Benifuuki was proved to have a high potential to alleviate nasal obstruction in Japanese cedar pollinosis patients. The Benifuuki beverage was considered to be a beneficial way to control allergic rhinitis induced by cedar pollen.
