Herbal therapies: what allergist-immunologists should know regarding patient use of complementary and alternative medicine.

The use of complementary and alternative medicine has dramatically increased in the United States, which necessitates that physicians have knowledge of different modalities, possible benefits, and potential adverse reactions. Internet access and numerous magazines are available to patients for self-administration. Numerous herbal interventions have been used for asthma and allergic disorders, and conventional physicians should question their patients about their use and be knowledgeable about toxicity and scientifically well-controlled studies. This article will focus on allergic rhinitis and asthma, though numerous other therapies are utilized in complementary and alternative medicine. The allergist-immunologist should meet the challenge to understand the patient's need for alternative healing while monitoring for potential allergic reactions.