FAQs

 

Russian Thistle is not a thistle at all, it is part of a different plant family (Chenopodia), the very same as goosefoot/fat hen/lamb’s quarters.

 

Thus, it should not to be confused with indigenous UK thistles such as sow thistle, milk thistle, scotch thistle, cardoons, artichokes and echinops, which are all part of the Aster family.

 

The common name 'Russian Thistle' is derived from it's presence in the Ukraine, but is also known as Tumbleweed and Saltwort. It grows on flat, dry, barren land and often saline land such as saltmarshes and estuaries. It breaks away from its roots in Autumn and is driven by the wind as a light, rolling mass. It is native to Africa, America, Asia and parts of Europe (Spain), but presence in the UK is insignificant.

 

As well as keeping up to date with the scientific literature, we work with the leading academics and teaching universities across the country to develop our tests. We manufacture our own tests at our laboratory here in York, and include only UK-specific allergens. Russian Thistle in not a UK-specific allergen, and so do not include this in our testing procedure.