Japanese knotweed is a malignant weed that resembles mugwort in appearance but differs in many ways. The pollen of Japanese knotweed is an allergen that can cause great harm to the human body and may trigger asthma symptoms.
Differentiating Japanese Knotweed and Mugwort
Mugwort:
Mugwort has a close relationship with the lives of the Chinese people. During the Dragon Boat Festival, people often place mugwort in their homes to "ward off evil spirits." After drying, the plants can be soaked in water and steamed to achieve disinfection and relieve itching. Postpartum women often use mugwort water for bathing or steaming.
Mugwort has a unique fragrance and can be made into aromatic pillows, which have the effects of promoting sleep and relieving fatigue. The juice of mugwort leaves can be diluted with water for bathing to eliminate small red bumps on the skin.
In addition, mugwort can repel mosquitoes and flies, sterilize and disinfect, and prevent diseases. Mugwort is also used in acupuncture for "moxibustion," which involves burning mugwort and applying the heat to acupoints.
Japanese Knotweed:
Global pollutant plant: Due to its strong vitality, Japanese knotweed can cover and suppress native plants, causing damage to the original ecosystem, reducing agricultural output, consuming water and nutrients in the soil, and causing air pollution through pollen. It is a harmful plant.
Various types of Japanese knotweed, especially the pollen of giant Japanese knotweed, cause great harm to people with allergies and are a common allergen for pollen-related diseases.
Pollen is light in weight, small in size, and can float in the air with the wind. Its surface is covered with many spines, making it easy to attach to the respiratory mucosa. Every year, during the transition from summer to autumn, a large amount of pollen contaminates the atmosphere, causing allergic asthma.
The Harm of Japanese Knotweed
Japanese knotweed is a global pollutant plant. Due to its strong vitality, it can cover and suppress native plants, causing damage to the original ecosystem, reducing agricultural output, consuming water and nutrients in the soil, and causing air pollution through pollen. It is a harmful plant.
Various types of Japanese knotweed, especially the pollen of giant Japanese knotweed, cause great harm to people with allergies and are a common allergen for pollen-related diseases. Pollen is light in weight, small in size, and can float in the air with the wind. Its surface is covered with many spines, making it easy to attach to the respiratory mucosa.
Japanese knotweed allergy is also the main pathogen for hay fever. People with Japanese knotweed allergy often experience itching, especially in the ears, eyes, and nose, accompanied by runny nose and headache.
During the transition from summer to autumn, a large amount of pollen contaminates the atmosphere, causing allergic asthma. Severe Japanese knotweed allergy sufferers may develop diseases such as emphysema and even die.
Allergies are a difficult disease to cure. What should you do if you are allergic to Japanese knotweed pollen? Japanese knotweed pollen is the root cause of the allergy. First, avoid contact with Japanese knotweed and pay attention to hygiene, avoiding fish, shrimp, and spicy foods.
When experiencing an allergic reaction to Japanese knotweed, do not scratch the affected area with your hands, as this may worsen the allergic symptoms.
