The charms of nice and warm weather are enjoyed by everyone except those with pollen allergies. One of the most hated is precisely that of ambrosia, which we will deal with here. What symptoms ragweed causes, whether there is a cure for it, and all other details about this plant you will find out in the rest of the text. What does ragweed plant look like? Ambrosia is an annual plant from 100 to 150 cm tall that has small fluffy "hairs" on its leaves and branches in its upper part. In appearance, this plant resembles wormwood. The face of the leaf has a dark green color and the reverse side is gray green. Only one plant is able to produce millions of pollen grains, as well as tens of thousands of seeds. Ambrosia seeds are very resistant, and if they bloom in the field, they can germinate even after 30 years, and they "like" open space and a dry climate the most. What does ragweed flower look like? The ambrosia flower is small, light yellow in color and the flowers are grouped in downward facing hemispherical heads. The ambrosia plant is one to one and a half meters tall, although it can grow up to two meters. Ambrosia pollen spreads very quickly and is quite dangerous since it contains up to 52 allergenic compounds, 6 of which are proven dangerous. In addition, this weed is considered one of the most poisonous in the world and originates from the West, while it was first seen here in 1953 in Sremski Karlovci. The ambrosia stalk is upright, branched and overgrown with hairs, and its appearance resembles a bush. Its leaves are egg-shaped and also covered with hairs, and the flowers are yellowish in color and grouped like bunches at the top and on the branches of the stem. When does ragweed bloom? Ambrosia blooms at the beginning of July, in late summer, and if, tormented by this scourge, you are wondering when ragweed stops, that is, when it produces pollen, the good news is that it should be soon, that is, by October and the early autumn frosts. Ambrosia pollen can stay in the air for more than 100 days, and it reaches its peak in August and September when it is at its highest concentration and when adults and children feel the most discomfort. In addition to endangering us, it would be best for us to travel somewhere to the sea or to the mountains during that period, since it is much less widespread there, it also adversely affects so-called cultivated plants, mainly those with which it most often grows, such as potatoes, corn , soybeans, tobacco, sunflowers, sugar beets, etc. However, since it is very adaptable, it can be seen everywhere, both on neglected and arable land, in vegetable gardens and vineyards, it grows alongside crops and along roads where cars with their tires blow it even more and sow it in some new areas . This fruit-bearing plant produces up to 150,000 seeds, 100 million pollen grains that, when dispersed, retain their germination for up to 40 years. Ambrosia - how to destroy it? Fortunately, there are numerous ways to combat this invasive weed. One of them is to simply pull it out of the ground whole, i.e. together with the roots. Gloves are mandatory to protect the skin on your hands. If it is located on larger areas, it is best to mow it before flowering, and it can be treated with certain pesticides. And how is it done abroad? Precisely by motivating the population, and for example in Hungary a prize is awarded for a certain number of uprooted plants, while in Canada it is a legal obligation, and it must not be seen in gardens there, since the postmen report to the police, and the fines for the owners of neglected gardens are very big ones. Symptoms of ragweed allergy Sometimes the symptoms can be completely mild, but sometimes the body can react very violently. If you suspect you have a ragweed allergy, check out the typical symptoms below: itchy throat, nose and eyes a runny nose or stuffy nose, which can last for an entire season without stopping burning eyes or watery eyes dark circles around the eyes sneezing, coughing and wheezing in the chest, as well as pain and tightness and difficulty breathing, which can be the beginning of bronchial asthma sinus pressure and headache insomnia eczema reduced sense of smell or taste Pollen allergy usually attacks the upper respiratory tract first, and if it persists, it can develop into a more serious problem such as bronchial asthma. Moreover, allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis and asthma are diseases for which this plant is responsible for aggravation. Paper tissues for allergies Seen under a microscope, ragweed pollen looks like a ball with spikes, or rather small hooks, with the help of which it attaches to the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory organs and causes a wide range of problems such as constant sneezing, itchy and runny nose, watery, swollen and red eyes, cough, difficulty breathing and an unpleasant feeling of lack of air. All this gets even worse when the allergy is combined with other irritants such as tobacco smoke or pollution, which, as we know, is gaining momentum. In addition to the respiratory organs, the skin is also not spared, and red marks and itching appear. Certain complications with the digestive organs, accompanied by vomiting, may also occur