Melaleuca quinquenervia pollen

Melaleuca quinquenervia pollen is an allergenic extract derived from the pollen of the Melaleuca quinquenervia tree, also known as the paperbark or niaouli tree. [22, 24] It is used for the diagnosis of allergies through skin prick or intradermal tests and for treatment via allergen-specific immunotherapy (also known as hyposensitization). [19, 20, 33] The diagnostic use relies on the extract's ability to trigger a localized IgE-mediated histamine release in sensitized individuals, resulting in a wheal-and-flare reaction. [19] For therapeutic purposes, gradually increasing doses of the extract are administered subcutaneously to modulate the immune system, induce tolerance, and reduce the symptoms of allergic rhinitis upon subsequent environmental exposure. [19, 20] While the pollen is a known allergen, its clinical significance as a primary cause of respiratory allergies is debated, as the tree is primarily insect-pollinated, meaning its pollen is heavy and not easily dispersed by wind. [30, 34] Some positive allergy tests may result from cross-reactivity with other common aeroallergens, such as Bahia grass pollen. [30, 31]

Other names

Melaleuca pollenNiaouli pollenPaperbark tea tree pollenCajeput tree pollenPunk tree pollenBroad-leaved Paperbark pollen