RESPIRATORY ALLERGY TO FENUGREEK

The authors report a case of respiratory to Fenugreek an an Algerian s tudent using Fenugreek powder orally as an appetite stimulant and typi cally as a healing agent. Handling of this powder induced rhinitis and asthma. The prick test performed with Fenugreek powder was strongly p ositive, Fenugreek is a Leguminous plant used in the food industry bec ause of its gustatory and aromatic qualities and in the parapharmaceut ical industry because of the numerous therapeutic virtues attributed t o it. Few cases of respiratory allergy to Fenugreek have been reported , although several cases have been reported in India, as it is one of the ingredients of curry. One case of occupational asthma was publishe d in France In an employee Loading Fenugreek into a grinder. Despite i ts exceptional nature, respiratory allergy to Fenugreek should be inve stigated in the case of allergy to spices and in certain population gr oups in which Fenugreek is frequently used.