Why is juniper pollen so popular? The scientific truth behind the "smoking" of the top streamers

This spring, juniper pollen has become a "top trend" on social media. Videos of pollen "smoking" have been flooding the screens of major platforms, making the already popular pollen topic even more focused on the specific issue of juniper pollen flooding. So why is juniper pollen so popular this year? How much impact does this "pollen smoke" have on our health? Juniper, which can be seen everywhere in cities, is it a greening hero or a health hazard?

Pollen smoke (Photo source: CCTV News)

The reason behind the popularity of juniper pollen

First, let us get to know the “new internet celebrity” - juniper pollen.

Speaking of juniper, it is a "great contributor" to urban greening. It is evergreen, resistant to pruning, resistant to pollution, and easy to survive. These advantages make it a favorite of landscape designers. In Beijing, 15 out of every 100 street trees are junipers, and in some places there are even more.

Juniper trees are divided into "male trees" and "female trees", and only male trees release pollen. You may not know that the "pollen smoke" is actually a carefully planned reproduction drama - in order to increase the success rate of reproduction, the juniper tree has evolved a unique pollination strategy: it is pollinated by wind, and the pollen is small and light, and has its own "air sacs" that can be blown several kilometers away by the wind. When the weather conditions are right - the temperature is between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius, the humidity is not too high, and the wind is moderate, the juniper will release pollen in a concentrated manner, forming the "pollen cloud" we see.

Juniper pollen is available every year, and the effects can be large or small due to factors such as the tree's growth cycle, environment, and climate. The popularity of juniper pollen this year is not accidental, but the result of multiple factors - climate change has led to an extension of the pollen season and an increase in pollen concentration. The large temperature fluctuations this spring created ideal conditions for the concentrated release of juniper pollen. Coupled with the popularity of smartphones and social media today, the public's attention to ecological environment and health issues has increased significantly. "Pollen smoke", a natural phenomenon with a strong visual impact, is easier to record and spread, sparking heated discussions.

"Can't we just pull out all the junipers?" As the first allergen to cause hay fever in spring, junipers are more likely to cause people's anger to erupt on this plant. But in fact, the pollen allergens in the Spring and Autumn Period are far more than just junipers. Common street trees such as elms, willows, poplars, sycamores, and ash trees are also allergens. Taking Beijing as an example, the tree species that induce pollen allergies in March are mainly from Cupressaceae and elm species. In April, the pollen concentration of poplar and willow species will also increase, and the risk of inducing pollen allergies will increase; and the allergic principle of autumn pollen allergies comes from grasses of the genera Artemisia and Humulus. It is not realistic to kill an allergen immediately after discovering it. Take the junipers in Beijing as an example. It is widely distributed in the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven Park, Jingshan Park, Beihai Park, etc. There are many ancient trees now, and it is difficult to cut them all down. Cutting down trees is restricted by law, and ancient cypress trees are even more protected by law. Most of the 3,562 ancient trees in the Temple of Heaven are cypresses, which cannot be replaced. The adverse ecological impact caused by cutting down trees may far exceed the impact of pollen allergies.

We can't just cut them down, so are there other ways to alleviate the pollen problem? Yes! The measures Beijing has taken recently, such as pruning branches, spraying water, and wetting the ground, are the most effective measures to deal with the pollen problem of existing cypress trees. According to experts, Beijing has revised the "Catalogue of Major Forest Trees in Beijing", and male junipers will no longer be planted in future landscaping projects. At present, some female junipers that do not fly pollen are also being actively cultivated.

Pollen monitoring and forecast in Beijing

How to save people with pollen allergies

After exploring juniper pollen, let’s return to the headache-inducing topic of how to deal with pollen allergies.

Although it may seem like a commonplace topic, it actually hides many unknown secrets. Do you think pollen allergy is as simple as a few sneezes and a runny nose in the spring? Only those who are allergic to pollen can truly feel the pain.

Only by knowing yourself and the enemy can you win every battle. Research has found that pollen allergy is not only a "misjudgment" of the immune system, but is more likely the result of the combined effects of modern lifestyle and environment. The immune system of people with allergies is like an overly nervous security guard, mistaking harmless pollen for an invader and activating an excessive defense mechanism. Behind this "misjudgment" there are actually deeper reasons.

First, the acceleration of urban greening has exacerbated the problem. Studies have shown that the incidence of pollen allergies in urban areas is significantly higher than in rural areas, which is closely related to the choice of tree species for urban greening.

Secondly, modern lifestyles are also quietly changing our immune system. Excessive cleaning, abuse of antibiotics, processed foods, etc., all these factors are affecting our intestinal flora. You may not have thought that the microorganisms in the intestines are also related to pollen allergies. Studies have found that the diversity of intestinal flora in allergic people is significantly lower than that in healthy people, and the number of certain specific probiotics is significantly reduced.

Another factor that is easily overlooked is vitamin D deficiency. Modern people stay indoors for a long time and lack sunlight, which leads to low vitamin D levels. Vitamin D plays a key role in regulating the immune system and maintaining immune balance. A study on children showed that children with low vitamin D levels are more likely to suffer from pollen allergies.

From the choice of tree species for urban greening to the impact of climate change to the subtle changes in intestinal flora, pollen allergy is evolving into a complex health problem. In this "war" against pollen, can people with allergies really only passively defend themselves? Actually, not really. In addition to blindly avoiding and taking conventional antihistamines, there are some proactive strategies:

Dietary adjustment: Some natural anti-inflammatory foods such as turmeric, green tea, deep-sea fish, etc. can help relieve allergy symptoms.

Nasal irrigation: This is a simple and effective way to clear allergens and inflammatory mediators from the nasal cavity.

Probiotic supplementation: Specific probiotics, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, have been shown to improve pollen allergy symptoms.

Moderate outdoor activities: Not only do they help synthesize vitamin D, but they also expose the immune system to a wider variety of microorganisms, promoting the maturity and balance of the immune system.

Pollen allergy is not fate, but a health condition that can be changed. By understanding these neglected truths and adopting scientific coping strategies, people with allergies can also take the initiative in this "war" with pollen. Remember, prevention is better than cure, and understanding is better than complaining. Look at pollen allergy with a scientific eye and adjust your lifestyle with a positive attitude. Spring will no longer be a trouble, but a truly beautiful season.