Description

Freeze dried extract of Birch (Betula Pendula) pollen. The birch tree is a deciduous hardwood species that belongs to the Betulaceae family, which is closely related to the Fabaceae family. This tree is known for its slender trunk and thin, simple leaves that have serrated edges. The birch tree can grow up to 25 meters in height, with a trunk diameter of about 40 cm. One of the most distinctive features of the birch tree is its bark, which is thin and papery, and marked by long, horizontal lenticels that give it a unique appearance. The bark is usually white or silver in color, but can also be brown or black, depending on the species. Birch trees are known to release their pollen between February and April, with the exact timing depending on the local climate and weather conditions. The pollen produced by birch trees is wind-pollinated, and can be carried over great distances by the wind. This makes it a common allergen for people who suffer from hay fever or other respiratory allergies. Birch pollen is highly allergenic and can cause a variety of symptoms, including itchy eyes, sneezing, runny nose, and coughing. Despite its allergenic properties, the birch tree is a valuable species in many ways. It is used for a variety of purposes, including making paper, furniture, and flooring.

Raw material was cultivated in Middle Europe by collecting branches of trees and put in a greenhouse until the inflorescences matured. After maturing the inflorescences were collected, sieved and extracted with acetone. The pollen have been extracted followed by filtration. They have been freeze dried after dialysis. Each product will be delivered with a certificate of analysis. If you want to receive a certificate of analysis before ordering please let us know.

Additional information

Pollen is one of the most common triggers of seasonal allergies worldwide. Depending on the season, weeds, grasses and trees release pollen to fertilize their own species.  The wind travels the tiny and light pollen but unfortunately they end up in our noses, eyes and lungs as well.With their powdery, granular appearance they look quite delicate and innocent. In some people they will however trigger an allergic reaction. We mostly relate to this as hay fever. Most common symptoms are a runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes but sometimes also symptoms of the lower airways (asthma). In allergy-prone individuals, their immune system reacts to allergenic proteins by generation of IgE antibodies, a process called sensitization. These antibodies will bind to receptors on mast cells and basophils, the effector cells of allergic diseases.  If a pollen-sensitized person then gets exposed in pollen season, these effector cells release various mediators such as histamine. These mediators together are at the basis of starting off the allergic symptoms.

Available vials

5 mg freeze dried extract

Applications

Freeze dried Birch extract can be used for applications such as:

• As a diagnostic marker
• Induce allergy in an animal model
• Investigate the development of pollen allergy
• Develop a therapy against pollen allergy