Pollen Grains

A world without pollen would be a world without fruit and nuts. Pollen makes fertilization possible in the case of flowering plants. It is true that there are species of plants like fungi or pine spruce trees that reproduce themselves with the help of spores, but their number is very low in comparison to those of pants that reproduce with the help of pollen, thorough self-pollination or cross-pollination.

Pollen is in fact a mass of microspores, that has the appearance of a fine dust, that most times is yellow, but it can also be white, brown, red and even purple. Pollen grains are not the same, they have different shapes and structures. They are microscopic, having sizes they vary from 10 to 100 micrometers. Pollen grains can be round, oval, disc or bean-shaped. The pollen grain consists of three parts: the cytoplasmic part where are located the nuclei responsible for fertilization, the inner layer called intine and the outer layer called exine. The inner layer is made of cellulose, hemicellulose and callose. The outer wall is made of sporopollenin ( a mixture of stable biopolymers). Pollen grains are very resistant to decay and because of this, they can be found in geologic sediments. Up till now, they have provided a lot of information about the origin and geologic history of plants.

Pollen grains are responsible for the allergy known as hay fever, that causes an itching, swelling and running nose. Allergic rhinitis (the scientific name for hay fever), can also cause coughing, watery, bloodshot eyes and a light tightness of the chest. There are people who can even have seizures because of this apparent harmless allergy. Hay fever is provoked by pollen transported by the wind and not by the one transported by insects. Plants that produce a high amount of pollen are considered responsible for this allergic reaction. Among these plants are: the Ash, Aspen and Taxus tree, grasses like the Pellitory-of-the-wall, Eastern Pellitory-of-the -wall and even the Olive tree.

In spite of the hay fever, caused by pollen grains, they are highly appreciated for their curative value and are used as food supplement or to spice up various dishes. Pollen is consumed raw or dried. Dried pollen is usually commercialized under the form of pollen granules. By grinding these granules, we obtain the pollen powder which is used in numerous recipes to cure various health problems.

Fresh pollen is very rich in active substances. Researches have observed that the curative properties of fresh pollen are halved in six hours after its gathering. Pollen can be consumed unprocessed, in liquid form. In this case the patient has to take 2-3 teaspoon of pollen per day. Pollen can also be mixed with honey to obtain a paste that can be consumed after the main meals of the day. The pollen granules preserve their curative properties for maximum 12 months. Pollen granules have to be taken after the main meals of the day. Pollen powder is used to prepare the honey paste and externally in combination with certain tea types to treat hair loss.

Pollen grains are appreciated by cooks all over the world. The type of pollen called saffron is used in the Indian cuisine to make the spice most commonly known as curry. People who are suffering from pollen allergy should use pollen grain based products with maximum cautious. They should test their allergic reaction to it and only after use them. It is better to consult your general practitioner before using any pollen based products.

If it is spring or autumn and your sneeze or are just bothered by the yellow dust that sticks on your new clothes, remember: pollen is essential for life on earth. Pollen grains contain the DNA of a plant and in its absence there wouldn't be flowers, fruit, nuts and the famous curry that spices up your rice