Health News

Warning about Ambrosia pollen

The district of Herford currently warns against the pollen active plant Ambrosia.

(03.08.2010) The landscape authority Herford warns of the pollen allergen Ambrosia. The Ambrosia is the world's strongest pollen allergen and causes severe health problems in allergy sufferers. Now it's time to fight back the plants in the gardens.

The "Ambrosia artemisifolia" (also called pigeonweed) is a one-year pollen allergen that has spread rapidly in Germany since the 90s. It is believed that the plant has spread over the trade of agricultural products, so potted plants and birdseed. The Ambrosia grows up to 200 centimeters in height and preferably settles on roads, transhipment points and on debris. In the district of Herford, the "pigeonweed" is currently growing in private gardens.

The Ambrosia grows in the spring and is often used in this time with the so-called. „marigold“, the „Common mugwort“, „Perennial ragweed“, the „Annual mugwort“ or even carrots confused. While the mentioned plants grow evenly, the Ambrosia remains in the status and begins to develop its flowers only in early / mid-August. During this time ambrosia is the most dangerous for allergy sufferers.

The mugwort ambrosia is a bushy and stocky plant, the leaves are pinnate to triply pinnate and the stems are hairy. The hairy stems are usually a little reddish, the male inflorescences are arranged in upright, finger-shaped grapes. From the end of July to the first frost, the flowers release over a billion pollen that spreads through the air.

Ambrosia is considered to be the strongest allergen and causes allergic people to experience massive symptoms such as runny nose, shortness of breath, cough, asthma, swelling of the eyes, headaches and other hay fever problems. For this reason, Ambrosia is also called "asthma plant" in Australia. Ambrosia is therefore so dangerous because it can cause allergies in people who previously had little or no allergy symptoms. The pollen is very small and can penetrate deep into the bronchial tubes, causing severe discomfort.

It is expected that the spread of Ambrosia will increase rapidly in the coming years. In the health sector alone, the costs have increased by a whopping 20 million euros. Therefore, it is extremely important that even in private gardens, the ragweed is combated and a further spread is stopped.

But how can you remove the plant properly? First of all, they should wear gloves and a mask. Direct contact with the body should be avoided at all costs as contact with the plants may cause skin irritation. The plant must be pulled with the entire root and also not be disposed of in normal organic waste. The ambrosia should be put into a closed sack in the household waste and then burned. Furthermore, bird feeders and places where soil has been filled should be strictly controlled. Side edges of paths must be mowed regularly. If you discover Ambrosia plants in your garden or outside in public places, you should definitely inform the local landscape authority, so that the plants can be professionally disposed of. (Sb)