Effects of a Cloth Panel Containing a Specific Ore Powder on Patients with Japanese Cedar Pollen Allergy During the Pollen Dispersal Season

Abstract

Pollen allergy remains a big problem in contemporary societies. We have shown in previous studies that a cloth containing a special natural ore powder (CCSNOP) is effective in relieving symptoms in patients with pollen allergies. However, in that study, subjects were exposed to CCSNOP for only one hour. In the present study, CCSNOP or control (non-woven cloth; NWC) panels were placed in the bedrooms of pollen allergy patients for two weeks during the pollen dispersal season in 2018, and the effects were investigated. Twenty-one subjects were exposed to CCSNOP panels and 10 subjects were exposed to NWC panels. Our investigations showed that use of CCSNOP resulted in relief of symptoms and reduced use of therapeutics. Moreover, the ratio of eosinophil count decrease during exposure was higher in the CCSNOP group. Furthermore, a formula for measuring various cytokines and other parameters was established and clearly showed a distinction between the CCSNOP and NWC groups. In this formula, Granulocyte Macrophage colony-stimulating Factor (GM-SCF), Interleukin (IL)-12p40, Immunoglobulin (Ig) G4 and eosinophil count were extracted. These results indicated that CCNSNOP has a beneficial effect on pollen allergy patients. Future studies shall engage in long-term monitoring of pollen allergy patients who will utilize this mineral powder for at least one year.