Xanthium 12 is based on modern Chinese research into individual herbs and complex formulas for treating allergies. These herbs have been shown to inhibit at least one part of the cascade of events that leads to the common allergy symptoms. For example, many of them inhibit excessive secretion of histamine. Unlike antihistamine drugs, these herbs do not cause drowsiness. This particular formula was based primarily on treatments that were tried clinically for allergic rhinitis, which rely on xanthium, siler, mume, and licorice. The formula has been used in the U.S. for 15 years and is not reported to cause adverse reactions. Xanthium 12 includes herbs that clear heat (sophora, bupleurum, scute, moutan); herbs that tonify and astringe (ginseng, licorice, mume, schizandra); and herbs that dispel wind (xanthium, centipeda, cynanchum, and siler). It is unclear whether allergies can be cured by the use of herbal remedies. Certainly, the severity of allergic reactions might be calmed by tonifying deficiencies and clearing excesses that are underlying constitutional problems. Xanthium 12 can help in accomplishing this, but other formulas might be applied, such as the harmonizing prescription Bupleurum 12 (along with dietary and exercise approaches to improving health) to correct the underlying imbalance, using Xanthium 12 primarily to control the symptoms, or Jade Screen Tablets to rectify the immune functions. See also Bi Yan Pian. For allergic reactions affecting the skin, consider Zaocys Tablets, Lonicera 13, Forsythia 18, or Zhu Dan Tablets.