Tuncao grows in open areas near hillsides or villages, and is distributed in South China, Southwest China, Jiangxi, Fujian, Taiwan, Hubei, Hunan, and other places. Tuncao prefers warm climates and is not tolerant of severe cold. When cultivated in northern regions, it needs to be protected from the cold in winter. It grows better in sandy loam soil and is not suitable for clay cultivation.
Tuncao resembles Artemisia argyi, but the difference is that Artemisia argyi has grayish-white short hairs on the back of its leaves, and all the leaves are opposite, while Tuncao has dark green upper surfaces and light green lower surfaces with short rough hairs on both sides.
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that Tuncao has the functions of promoting blood circulation, resolving stasis, diuresis, relieving heat, and expelling pathogens from the body surface. It is commonly used for amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, bruises, rheumatoid arthritis, urinary tract infections, edema, damp-heat leucorrhea, fever due to external pathogenic factors, malaria, sore throat, and boils.
Tuncao is a global environmental weed. Due to its strong vitality, it can cover and suppress native plants, causing damage to the original ecosystem, reducing agricultural yield, depleting water and nutrients in the soil, and causing air pollution with its pollen. It is a harmful plant.
Various species of Tuncao, especially the pollen of Artemisia princeps, cause great harm to people with allergies, and are common allergens. Pollen is light in weight and small in size, can drift with the wind, and has many spikes on the surface, making it easy to adhere to the respiratory mucosa.
Tuncao allergy is also the main pathogen of hay fever. Generally, people allergic to Tuncao experience itching all over the body, especially in the ears, eyes, and nose, accompanied by a runny nose, headaches, and other symptoms.
Every summer and autumn, a large amount of pollen pollution is formed in the atmosphere, causing allergic asthma. Severe Tuncao allergy patients may develop emphysema and even die.
Allergies are a difficult-to-cure disease. What should be done when allergic to Tuncao pollen? Tuncao pollen is the root cause of the allergy, so first of all, avoid contact with Tuncao, pay attention to food hygiene, and avoid fish, shrimp, seafood, and spicy foods.
When experiencing Tuncao allergy and itching, do not scratch with your hands, as it may worsen the allergic symptoms.
