Olive Pollen Season: Madrid, Athens and the Mediterranean

Did you know that olive trees are evergreen and can live for hundreds, and in some cases nearly a thousand years? If you’re a fan of the tasty fruit of this tree you will be pleased to know that there are more than 3000 varieties to discover.

These beautiful and hardy trees have leaves that range from light to dark green and the underside of the leaf shows a grey or silver. The plant’s flowers vary from yellow-white to a bright white, and it’s these beautiful little buds that source olive pollen.

Many people with respiratory sensitivity to pollen find that they are particular reactive to olive pollen—and there are 14 distinct allergenic molecules associated with olive trees! If you are allergic to olive trees there is also a pretty good chance that you will also experience some kind allergic reaction with ash, pine, birch, mugwort, and cypress trees.

Allergies to the olive tree can lead to a range of mild to severe reactions, and as with many other pollen allergies it is only made worse by the ongoing impact of climate change. And, as more people discover the health benefits of olive oil and the Mediterranean diet, increasing olive allergies is notable.

GOOD TO KNOW
Since trees from the oleaceae family are widely used as ornamental plants and trees in cities and owing to the olive’s cross-reactivity with similar trees, city people may find that there allergies extend through warm winter months to spring, and early summer.

Antihistamines, corticosteroids, and bronchodilators may help to reduce allergy symptoms, but for some people with severe allergies completely avoiding olives and its associated products may be the best course of action. Of course, this may be nearly impossible if you are travelling in an olive growing region.