A syrphid fly (Eristalinus taeniops) pollinating a Common Hawkweed

Pollinators, such as bees, flies and wasps, depend on sensing the minute by steady stream of hydro-carbon molecules emitted by flowering plants to lead them to their target destination. There, the insects gather pollen (as a food source) and inadvertently transfer this genetic packet from the male anther to the female stigma, enabling fertilization (known as syngamy, the joining of germ cells).

This ancient, mutually beneficial arrangement insures each new generation of the flowering plant. It has probably been going since shortly after the first flowering plants (angiosperms) appeared on earth some 250 million years ago. Industrial air pollution is now hampering this ancient relationship.

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As winter gives up its grip, seasonal allergy suffers turn a leery eye out the window at blooming grass and trees, sigh, and start digging out last year’s allergy medication. Children allergic to pollen and molds may do more than sigh.

If your child suffers from seasonal allergies you too are getting prepared. Kids usually develop allergies before their 6^th birthday but, can develop new ones throughout their lives. . And, as I can attest to as a lifelong sufferer, moving to a new location doesn’t help….those prone to allergies tend to find something to be allergic to wherever they are.

While drugstores carry shelves full of over-the-counter medications to alleviate the symptoms of seasonal allergies, there are some natural choices that, in many cases work as well or better.

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