Perhaps you have seen the cartoon that says “It doesn’t snow in Southeast Texas. It pollens.” Or the one with Dorothy and the gang in Oz. She looks down at the yellow brick road and cries, “Those aren’t bricks. That’s pollen!” If you haven’t seen the cartoons, one thing is for sure… we have all seen the pollen! It covers our cars and sidewalks with a fine yellow film and makes like miserable for those with allergies.

Pollen by definition, is a fine powdery substance, typically yellow, consisting of microscopic grains discharged from the male part of a flower or from a male cone. Each grain contains a male gamete that can fertilize the female ovule, to which pollen is transported by the wind, insects or other animals.

Most pollen is produced by grass and trees. While most is moved from place to place by bees and birds, some very small pollen grains can be blown by the wind up to 1000 miles! As annoying as it is, without it, the bees could not make honey, and plants would not reproduce.

If it seems to get worse from season to season, some experts say that the reason is warmer temperatures and heavier fall rains which cause grass and trees to bloom earlier and create more pollen.

If you are one of the unlucky ones that suffers seasonal allergies, you are no stranger to headaches, sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, cough and congestion. Consider this: there can be up to 50 grains of pollen in a single square foot of air. Since we typically breathe 16 feet of air a day, (who figures this stuff?) we can breathe up to 20,000 grains of pollen in a 24 hour period.  Nasal allergy to pollen is called pollinosis. Allergy specific to grass pollen is known as hay fever. For many, the only relief is to move to a drier area. I’m one of the lucky ones that moved here FROM a drier area in New Mexico and left my allergies behind! Apparently I’m allergic to Bermuda grass, but not St. Augustine. Just a guess.

Relocating, however, is an extreme measure for most people. There are other ways to relieve the symptoms without packing your bags. Over the counter antihistamines and decongestants can be helpful, but can have side effects like dry mouth, drowsiness, blurred vision and confusion.

According to local nutrition specialist, Doneane Beckcom, a healthier approach lies in eating foods that boost the immune system and help the body produce natural histamines. According to Doneane, the immune system “lives” in the gut where all the healthy bacteria live.  If the balance of healthy bacteria gets off balance, then the immune system is compromised, which makes it harder to fight off seasonal allergies. Things to include in your diet are foods that contain probiotics: cottage cheese, Kefir, Greek yogurt. Probiotic supplements are also available at any health food store. If probiotics do not appeal to you, add more Omega 3 fats to your daily intake. Omega 3 is found in olive oil, avocados, wild salmon and fish oil tablets.

For more information, contact Micah Shanks, Jefferson County Master Gardener at mshanks52@gmail.com or Texas A & M AgriLife Extension Service at 409-835-8461.