2008 Volume 25 Issue 1 Pages 10-17
A national survey in Japan (1998) reported that the prevalence of seasonal allergic rhino-conjunctivitis was 13-16%. Recently, alternative therapy for allergic rhinitis using natural products has drawn increasing attention. A randomized trial was conducted to confirm the safety and efficacy of oolong tea "ogonkei" for seasonal allergic rhino-conjunctivitis. Adult patients with various symptoms of seasonal allergic rhino-conjunctivitis caused by pollen were tested continuously for six weeks to evaluate the effect of drinking the oolong tea beverage "ogonkei." In this clinical study, the safety of this beverage was confirmed. Even during the period when pollen counts are high, this oolong tea was confirmed effective for relief of allergy symptoms, such as sneezing (P<0.05), nasal discharge (P<0.001), nasal obstruction (P<0.01), or tears (P<0.001). The amount of anti-allergic agent used could also be decreased. Based on the foregoing, it is suggested that drinking oolong tea "ogonkei" daily may be effective, a) allows less use of an anti-allergic agent and b) has an additive effect to attenuate allergy symptoms with anti-allergic agent during the period when so much cedar pollen is airborne.