Mountain Cedar • Juniperus ashei
Trees & Shrubs
Conditions: Allergic rhinitis; allergic asthma; allergic conjunctivitis.
Symptoms: Itchy, stuffy, or runny nose; post-nasal drip; sneezing; itchy, red or watery eyes; asthmatic symptoms.
Physical description: a shrub-like evergreen tree with red-brown colored wood; leaves are like scales that shoot off dense sprays giving the tree feather-like foliage; also has seed cones producing pulpy fruit that is soft and berry-like.
Environmental factors: Abundant in many parts of Texas, especially around the Edwards Aquifer; grows on limestone glades and bluffs and along streambeds; very common in the environment, as not many animals enjoy eating it due to its bitter taste; because of this, cedar colonizes quickly.
Cross-reactivity: Cypress; juniper
Included species: Mountain cedar, Texas cedar, ashe juniper, post cedar, blueberry juniper, and more.
References
- “Mountain.”Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mountain
- “Cedar.”Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cedar
- “Cedar Allergy Symptoms.” Livestrong.com. http://www.livestrong.com/article/127122-uses-cedar-oil/
- “Allergen Cross-Reactivity Patterns.” AAAAI. https://www.aaaai.org/Aaaai/media/MediaLibrary/PDF%20Documents/ Immunotherapy%20Forms/3c-Allergen-cross-reactivity-patterns.pdf
- “Does Honey Work as a Remedy for Allergies?” Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/honey-remedy
Did You Know?
Unfortunately, eating local honey to cure cedar allergies is just a myth. Cedar allergies are triggered by the pollen blowing from the non-flowering tree in the wind, not the pollen in the flowers carried by bees.
