Summer is the most difficult time for people prone to allergies.
It is especially difficult for them when ragweed blooms. Manifestations of allergies can exhaust a person prone to it over the course of a season, so that health problems will be remembered until next year. If you or your loved ones feel unwell during the flowering of herbs, it is worth getting to know better what it is - ragweed. On this topic:
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Where did ragweed come from?
In the European Union countries they attach great importance to the fight against ragweed, destroying it by the roots and sowing the soil with other competitive plants. By the way, in order for a country to join the European Union, a state program to combat ragweed is required - and its real results. If there are none, then one can only dream of EU membership.
In our country, unfortunately, there is no fight against ragweed. Although one of the effective methods is the elementary destruction of plants by the roots or repeated manual mowing of areas with ragweed. Not the most difficult job. But, alas...
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Just a couple of decades ago, the habitat of ragweed was quite narrow - this weed began its attack on cities in the mid-60s of the last century from the Crimean steppes. Researchers also say that during the 1980 Olympics, seeds of mutated American ragweed were brought to Moscow, which, crossed with our Crimean one, gave unprecedented growth and a high concentration of allergic pollen.
On the sidelines they even said that those same mutated seeds were nothing more than a type of biological weapon. Looking at the suffering of allergy sufferers in August-September-October, during the period of active flowering of ragweed, you understand that these are not such rumors.
Description of the plant, species, origin
This plant belongs to the genus of herbs of the Asteraceae family. Originally from North America, from where it spread to almost the whole world. The genus includes about 50 species. Of these, only three are found in Russia:
- tripartite,
- wormwood,
- holomeletata.
Ambrosia is found everywhere in the Volga region, southern Russia and Crimea. In recent years, due to climate warming, its seeds have begun to ripen even in the middle zone.
The name of the plant comes from the Greek word ambrosia - this is the name in mythology for the food of the gods and the incense with which they were rubbed.
Ambrosia grows up to two meters in height, the root goes into the ground to a depth of four meters. The leaves are pinnately dissected, light green, young ones are darker. Covered with short bristly hairs. Ambrosia reproduces only by generative means. Each adult plant is capable of producing up to 150 thousand seeds per season.
Ambrosia seeds germinate at any stage of maturity - biological, waxy and milky. Freshly harvested seeds require a dormant period of up to 4–6 months, after which they remain viable for up to 40 years.
Shoots appear in May-June. Ambrosia blooms in late July - early August. Flowering continues until October. Its small five-petalled greenish-yellow flowers are collected in spike-shaped inflorescences. The seeds begin to ripen in August.
Risk group
In the forefront are those who already have at least one type of allergy: milk, eggs, oranges or cat hair. And whoever sneezes on dandelion pollen in the spring, unfortunately, sooner or later, in nine cases out of ten, will begin to react to ragweed.
An allergy is not just a reaction of the mucous membrane to an irritating factor. The mechanism of the reaction is much more complex, and, as has long been proven, people who have a lot of chronic diseases of internal organs have a higher chance of becoming allergic to ragweed.
Read also - How to get rid of seasonal pollen allergies?
This is the second line in the risk group. And, what is most offensive and unpleasant, even if you have never suffered from a reaction to pollen, food or wool, ragweed is quite capable of insidiously and suddenly making a hole in your immune system.
Chronic smokers, even passive smokers, have every chance of developing allergies. Those people who eat mostly man-made, synthetic food, with added preservatives, emulsifiers and other things, are also at risk. Therefore, at the slightest symptoms of an unusual cough and discomfort in the nasopharynx and eyes, it is worth visiting an allergist.
Allergy prevention
Preventive measures are very important because they help prevent the development of the disease. Prevention should be carried out by:
- exclusion of provoking factors (plant pollen);
- exclusion of being near areas of flowering plants;
- balanced hypoallergenic diet;
- correct balance of work and rest;
Let this article become your ally in the fight, or an assistant in studying this problem, because the best treatment for a disease is its prevention.
Sources of statistical data
- Friedrich Ihler and Martin Canis. Ragweed-induced allergic rhinoconjunctivitis: current and emerging treatment options
- Taramarcaz P. The Ragweed Invasion. Allergy Clin Immunol Int: J World Allergy Org
- Pfam: Family: Pec_lyase_C (PF00544) Link: https://pfam.xfam.org/family/Pec_lyase_C
- Caballero T, Martin-Esteban M. Association between pollen hypersensitivity and edible vegetable allergy: a review. Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9555613
- Rosenberg GL, Rosenthal RR, Norman PS. Inhalation challenge with ragweed pollen in ragweed-sensitive asthmatics. Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6826990
Symptoms
It all starts quite harmlessly - itching in the nose, swelling of the nasal mucosa, and the release of clear mucus from it. The picture is rapidly growing - in just a few days, nasal congestion becomes total and persistent, it seems that a foreign body has entered the eyes, “sand” is felt behind the eyelids, the eyes water and itch, and when you try to “get something”, swelling increases in a matter of minutes mucous membrane of the eye and incessant itching.
The most dangerous stage of pollen allergy is when asthmatic symptoms join hay fever and conjunctivitis. My throat is sore, my chest is congested, my cough is tormenting - especially bad at night.
The most dangerous stage of pollen allergy is when asthmatic symptoms join hay fever and conjunctivitis
The general condition is simply impossible to describe - due to the abundant release of histamine by the body, you are in a semi-conscious state, as if you were put under anesthesia and you have not yet fully come out of it. Concentration, performance, memory, vitality - all this literally drops to zero. And all the medications that exist today can alleviate the condition very little, and given that taking, for example, a hormonal spray is indicated only once a day and its effect lasts for a maximum of 4-5 hours, you have to make a painful choice - either sleep at night or work during the day. What to do?
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Body preparation
Experienced allergy sufferers (more precisely, former allergy sufferers) say that you need to prepare for the ragweed flowering season in advance, at least a month in advance. The first stage is the mechanical cleansing of the body from toxins and parasites. At this stage, you need to start eating natural foods (vegetables, fruits and cereals) with a minimum of protein. That is, meat and dairy will have to be slightly reduced in your diet. And you will have to completely give up products such as industrial sausages, frankfurters and other smoked meats, mayonnaise, sauces, cakes, yeast baked goods, and candies.
1. It is very important to cleanse the liver and intestines. This should be done carefully, after consulting with a doctor. A very good effect is achieved by a procedure called colon hydrotherapy, which gently but thoroughly cleanses the large intestine. Unfortunately, this procedure does not affect the small intestine, so cleansing the small intestine can only be done using folk remedies. One of them is Shank Prakshalana, a yogic technique for cleansing the intestines with salt water. Of course, you need to carefully study the relevant literature and prepare well.
2. The next stage of cleansing is the liver. There are many ways: using magnesia, lemon juice and olive oil, senna, holosas and raisins and many others. You can easily find all these methods on the Internet and choose what suits you.
Antiparasitic cleaning should become a rule in the life of any person, regardless of freedom/non-freedom from allergies
3. Regular cleaning and irrigation of the nasal mucosa with a solution of sea water (or banal saline) is an excellent aid to the cleansing body. This stage is very important and very desirable, if, of course, you are determined to overcome your illness, but even if you come close to the flowering season unprepared, don’t worry - start at any time.
4. Antiparasitic cleaning should become a rule in the life of any person, regardless of health status and freedom/non-freedom from allergies. Choose the method that is closest to you - either traditional herbal remedies or medications. The harm from chemicals in this case is disproportionately less than from the consequences of helminthic infestations.
It must be said that official medicine has a very negative attitude towards folk methods of cleansing the body and always finds a lot of contraindications for the same liver cleansing. In this case, you must understand several things: official medicine, alas, today is not able to overcome allergies, but there are many cases of healing from allergies using unconventional methods, so you perform all your actions entirely at your own peril and risk. But those who do not take risks will definitely never be cured of an allergy to ragweed - take the word of an allergy sufferer with many decades of experience.
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Spirit Preparation
This is no less important than preparing the body - you need to be determined to win, without allowing even a drop of doubt. Yes, it’s difficult to overcome allergies the first time and right away, but you probably know and have seen from your own example more than once how much you can change with just the power of thought and intention.
All the time while our ominous enemy ragweed is blooming, tell yourself: “I am completely healthy and full of strength,” “I breathe freely and easily,” “I adore the smell of herbs and enjoy it.” Your affirmations should always have a positive and affirmative motive. You should never say, “I do not react to ragweed pollen,” or even “I am free of ragweed allergies.” There is no longer a particle of “not” in your affirmations, much less the words “allergy”, “ambrosia”, “reaction”.
Read also - 5 common mistakes that provoke spring allergies
Unique qualities
Other characteristics are also unique in their own way, thanks to which common ragweed, as it is often called popularly, survives. Ambrosia seeds have a high ability to be stored and germinate. Young bushes of the plant next year will appear not only from ripened seeds, but also from those that are in the wax or milk stages.
The American plant, like a radar, picks up every free or empty patch of soil and immediately penetrates there. This happens both with the help of seeds, which are carried by the wind, animals and even humans, and with the help of the root, which is more often observed in perennial representatives of the species.
What life should be like
You need to protect yourself on all fronts - and living conditions play a very significant role here.
Furniture and textile coverings
The first thing you need to do is minimize the number of “containers” in your home that collect pollen. Containers in this case are all horizontal surfaces, any textile coverings and curtains, shelves with books and decorative accessories. The furnishings of the apartment should be as spartan and minimalistic as possible. Yes, this is a big price - you so adore your huge bed, covered with a fluffy blanket, your books and collection of porcelain elephants.
Alas, you will have to part with most of these things, at least temporarily, because health is more valuable. Draped curtains, carpets, furniture with fleecy upholstery - this is not the environment for an allergy sufferer. Easily washable tulle or washable window blinds, leather upholstery, narrow work surfaces made of steel and marble and a minimum of hidden places like closets - this is the most suitable interior.
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Nets on windows
All window screens must be replaced (or new ones installed if there are none) with a special “anti-pollen” mesh. The cells of this mesh, unlike conventional ones, have an oblong shape with a cross-section of 0.25 x 1 mm. This allows you to retain street dust as much as possible, along with which pollen arrives.
Getting rid of fungus
Few people pay attention to the colonies of fungus that have settled on the walls of the bathroom or on the ceilings of rooms. Meanwhile, the combination of ragweed pollen and fungal spores turns into a killer cocktail. It is very important to eliminate absolutely all manifestations of mold in an apartment or house. This can be done using both special and folk remedies. The simplest, most affordable and effective way is to wash with clean table vinegar during the waning moon during the entire waning period.
Five wet cleanings a day are more likely to complete the evil work of pollen than to contribute to health
Keeping the air clean
It is believed that wet cleaning and air humidification help the mucous membranes not absorb allergens. This is a big misconception. It is not the humidity of the air that contributes to normal breathing, but its purity! Five wet cleanings a day are more likely to complete the evil work of pollen than to contribute to health. Therefore, do not buy air humidifiers that are useless and harmful in your case, but rather buy a Chizhevsky chandelier and a salt lamp (you can use a salt ionizer), and these devices will effectively clean the air in the room from dust and harmful impurities.
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Temperature
Another misconception is that when it rains, allergy sufferers feel better, as dust and pollen are literally washed out of the air. This is partly true. But usually August and, especially, September-October rains are accompanied by a decrease in temperature, to which the inflamed mucous membrane of the nasopharynx and larynx reacts with immediate swelling, and breathing during rain becomes even more difficult.
Read also: Find out if you have food intolerances
In order for the vessels to relax, they need, on the contrary, to be heated. Yes, this is the paradox - we are accustomed to the fact that blood vessels narrow as they cool. Therefore, during the autumn off-season it is important to keep your body warm.
But be careful: a hot bath, for example, will not give the desired effect precisely because of the humidity; more precisely, the effect will be, but as soon as the body cools down, breathing will again become difficult. Therefore, it is better to warm your body with clothes, hot tea, heating pads and physical activity - this is the best way.
Nutrition during ragweed bloom
There is nothing more important than nutrition. Those who have already been healed unanimously say that allergies can be cured exclusively by hunger. Of course, this method is not suitable for everyone - only trained people can fast for 30-40 days.
Those who have already been healed unanimously say that allergies can be cured exclusively by hunger
But for a working person suffering from a severe form of allergies, a type of diet in which fasting days are practiced once or twice a week is ideal, and on all other days only raw plant foods are consumed, without sweet fruits and with a minimum of red and orange vegetables. More effective, according to reviews from those who have recovered, dry fasting is when during the entire period of hunger you do not eat or drink anything, not even water.
Prohibited foods during ragweed bloom
- Meat and any meat products
- Dairy, including cheeses
- Coffee
- Black tea
- Sugar and all products containing it
- Any yeast baked goods, including bread
- Products made from white flour (a little whole grain can be used)
- Honey
- Sweet fruits
- Any synthetic food
It is difficult to maintain such a diet, but it is possible. Anyone who has ever gone through ambrosia hell will easily give up the usual muffins and coffee with milk. Such a strict program very well stimulates the immune system to fight the allergen, and in addition, has a wonderful cosmetic effect. Your figure will acquire a graceful silhouette, and your skin will compete in color with the skin of a three-year-old child.
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Diagnosis of pollen allergy
So how to diagnose such an insidious disease? How to determine whether it is an allergy or a common cold?
There is only one help here - a consultation with a qualified specialist and a range of laboratory tests.
In addition to general symptoms, the connection with the allergen in the medical history is decisive. Regarding laboratory methods for confirming the diagnosis, the most important among them will be:
- trial elimination (exclusion) therapy;
- provocative tests to allergic agents;
- determination of specific antigens in the blood (components of the human immune system responsible for the occurrence of allergies);
If you're still scared
Not everyone is able to accept such strict rules and frameworks; in addition, many fear for their health. As we have already said, any treatment is voluntary. And of course, there are such complex advanced cases of allergies when nothing helps except medications. There is no need to force yourself and do something forcibly. The effect comes when you fully accept one or another method.
And yet, by helping your body with even the slightest principles of a healthy lifestyle, you have many chances to defeat the enemy called ragweed. Also, tell us about your experience with allergies.
