Tanweed is a highly harmful wild plant that resembles Artemisia, so many people mistake it for Artemisia. However, the pollen of tanweed contains allergic substances that can cause great harm to the human body. Let's learn about the dangers of tanweed allergy and its prevention methods.
【Mechanism of Tanweed Allergy】
Tanweed poses a direct threat to the human body through the pollen it releases after blooming. The pollen contains water-soluble proteins that can quickly trigger allergic reactions when in contact with humans.
It is the main pathogen of autumn pollen allergy, which can lead to the harmful "hay fever". Mild cases can cause coughing and wheezing, while severe cases can lead to emphysema. Once infected, it can recur every year and worsen over time.
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that tanweed pollen is the main pathogen that causes a series of allergic reactions known as "hay fever" in the human body.
The density of tanweed pollen particles in the air reaches 40-50 particles per cubic meter, which can cause hay fever (autumn pollen allergy) in the population.
Clinical symptoms of patients include itching of the eyes, ears, and nose, intermittent sneezing, runny nose, headache, and fatigue. Some may experience chest tightness, shortness of breath, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
Prolonged untreated cases can also lead to emphysema and pulmonary heart disease, causing immense suffering and even death. Tanweed plants and pollen can also cause some people to develop allergic dermatitis and a "wind blister" rash throughout the body.
【Hazards of Tanweed Allergy】
Once tanweed occurs in farmland, it competes with crops for nutrients and water, causing significant reductions in crop yield. The leaves of tanweed contain bitter substances and essential oils, which can taint dairy products and give them a peculiar odor if consumed by dairy cows.
Tanweed also poses a threat to human health. It is one of the allergens for pollen allergies in summer and autumn. It starts to produce pollen after mid-August, with peak pollen production in late August.
It is reported that each tanweed plant can produce over a billion pollen particles, which can travel up to 600 kilometers in the air. It is the most important type of pollen allergen among plant allergens.
Its pollen is rich in water-soluble proteins, which easily trigger allergic reactions in susceptible individuals. The symptoms mainly manifest in respiratory reactions such as continuous sneezing, excessive runny nose, and allergic rhinitis. In severe cases, asthma may occur.
Three-lobed tanweed also poses significant threats to agriculture. Due to its strong root system and large above-ground nutritional body, it grows aggressively and competes with crops for water and nutrients. It releases various substances with significant inhibitory effects on cultivated crops and wild plants, quickly overwhelming local annual plants.
【Prevention and Control Measures for Tanweed】
Tanweed is highly harmful, but it is difficult to prevent and eradicate. It can survive and reproduce in harsh environments. Each plant can produce over 5,000 seeds, and the seeds have secondary dormancy and germination characteristics.
Data shows that tanweed seeds can remain dormant in the soil for up to 25 years before germinating. Experts advise not to touch blooming three-lobed tanweed.
Tanweed seeds can float downstream along rivers. Control and eradication require coordination among multiple departments, including agriculture, water management, and landscaping. It also requires cooperation among neighboring provinces and cities for continuous, multi-year, and thorough eradication to gradually reduce its occurrence and harm.
Experts recommend that sensitive individuals wear masks when participating in outdoor activities and take appropriate precautions. If symptoms similar to a cold occur, seek medical attention promptly.
Particularly, there are many scenic spots in urban mountainous areas, and the difficulty of tanweed prevention and control is higher in the vicinity. If not controlled in a timely manner, it poses a significant threat to the health of tourists.
