You may have heard that eating local honey may help with seasonal allergies. The idea is that eating local honey exposes you to small amounts of local pollen, which can gradually desensitize you to the allergen and thereby improve your symptoms.
However, the claim that honey can relieve seasonal allergy symptoms has not been proven by conclusive scientific studies.
Why is honey believed to help with allergies?
Honey has been anecdotally reported to lessen symptoms of seasonal allergies based on the principle of immunotherapy, which involves repeated exposure to an allergy to make the person less sensitive to it.
The theory is similar to that of allergy shots, in which the body builds up immunity to an allergen by repeated exposure in larger doses. Since honey contains local pollen, it is believed that eating honey can make someone less sensitive to the pollen over time.
Why does honey not help with allergies?
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, there is no scientific proof that eating local honey will improve seasonal allergies.
Facts that contradict this theory include the following:
- Honey collected by bees often contains pollen from brightly colored flowers, which is not the same pollen responsible for most allergies (trees, grasses, and weeds).
- Bees mix their food with digestive enzymes to turn it into honey, which changes the pollen protein.
- Enzymes from your stomach that are released during digestion would remove or break down any pollen ingested.
- Therefore, you would not be ingesting enough intact pollen for your immune system to start becoming desensitized to it.
Does honey have health benefits?
Honey is the thick, golden, sweet liquid produced by the bees by collecting nectar and pollen from flowers. For centuries, honey has been used as both a natural sweetener and as a potential remedy due to its potential health benefits.
Honey has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, and wound-healing properties. High-quality honey is also rich in antioxidants, especially flavonoids, which may play a role in preventing cardiovascular diseases.
The World Health Organization, American Academy of Pediatrics, and American College of Chest Physicians recommend honey as a natural remedy for soothing coughs and sore throats caused by the common cold.
Does honey pose health risks?
Honey has long been used as a cough suppressant. However, local, unprocessed honey may contain dust particles, bee parts, mold spores, and bacteria which can have some health risks
In rare cases, eating unprocessed honey can cause a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), leading to itching, hives, or swelling of the mouth, throat, or skin.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend giving honey to children under 12 months because it may contain a toxin that can lead to a dangerous condition called botulism.
What can help relieve seasonal allergies?
Seasonal allergies or seasonal allergic rhinitis, commonly called hay fever, is an allergic reaction to pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds that can cause symptoms during certain times of the year, typically in the spring and fall.
Symptoms of common rhinitis include:
- Sneezing
- Stuffy nose
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Itching of the nose, eyes, or roof of the mouth
Common treatment options for seasonal allergies include:
- Over-the-counter or prescription medicines: Nasal corticosteroid sprays, decongestants, antihistamines, and eye drops
- Immunotherapy: Allergy shots or tablets for long-term treatment depending on the severity of the allergic reactions
SLIDESHOW
Common Allergies: Symptoms and Signs See SlideshowCan Honey Help My Seasonal Allergies. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: https://community.aafa.org/blog/aafa-explains-can-honey-help-my-seasonal-allergies
Paige Fowler. Does Honey Prevent Allergies. WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/allergies/features/does-honey-help-prevent-allergies
Top How Does Honey Help With Allergies Related Articles
Allergies Quiz
What are the causes of allergies? This online quiz challenges your knowledge of common food and household allergens, environmental triggers, allergic diseases and conditions, and allergy symptoms and treatments.
Plant and Tree Allergies
Find out more about which plants and trees might be producing pollen that is causing your itchy eyes and a runny nose.
Allergy Shots
Allergy shots are given to increase your tolerance to allergens that cause allergy symptoms. At the beginning, allergy shots will be administered once or twice a week for several months. The dose is increased each time until a maintenance dose is reached. Side effects of allergy shots include itchy eyes, shortness of breath, runny nose, tight throat, redness, swelling, and irritation.
Allergy Treatment Begins at Home
Avoiding allergy triggers at home is one of the best ways to prevent allergy symptoms. Controlling temperature, humidity, and ventilation are a few ways to allergy-proof the home. Cleaning, vacuuming, and using HEPA air filters also helps control allergies.
brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/phenylephrine
Brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/phenylephrine is an over-the-counter (OTC) cold medication used to relieve symptoms of the common cold, flu, hay fever, allergies, and respiratory conditions such as sinusitis and bronchitis. The combo medication temporarily relieves symptoms such as cough, runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, itchy nose or throat, and itchy/watery eyes due to minor throat and bronchial irritation, and makes breathing easier. Do not use concurrently with other sedative drugs or alcohol. Common side effects of brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/phenylephrine include dry mouth, nose, and throat; thickening of mucus in nose and throat, drowsiness, dizziness, headache, excitability, restlessness, high blood pressure (hypertension), reflex increase in heart rate (tachycardia), and constriction of peripheral and abdominal (visceral) blood vessels.fluticasone
Fluticasone propionate nasal spray is a corticosteroid prescribed for the management of symptoms of seasonal or perennial allergic and non-allergic rhinitis. Side effects of fluticasone include headache, sore throat, nosebleeds, nasal burning or nasal irritation, nausea, vomiting, asthma symptoms, or cough. Consult with your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.
All About Honey
Honey's been used to heal wounds, ease allergies and sweeten things up for centuries. What is it? Where does it get these special powers, and can it really do everything it gets credit for?
Hay Fever (Allergic Rhinitis)
Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is an irritation of the nose caused by pollen and is associated with the following allergic symptoms: nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, eye and nose itching, and tearing eyes. Avoidance of known allergens is the recommended treatment, but if this is not possible, antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays may help alleviate symptoms.
How Do You Get Tested for Allergies?
An allergy test is most often performed by an allergist that involves one of three methods, blood test, skin prick test or patch test.
How Do You Know if You Are Allergic to Pollen?
Pollen is a powdery yellow grain that fertilizes other plants of the same species. The only way to know for sure if a person has pollen allergy is to see a board-certified allergist for allergy testing.
10 Signs Your Allergies Are Out of Control
Learn 10 signs your allergies are out of control. See these surprising allergy symptoms and find out how to get relief for sneezing, congestion, watery eyes, and more.promethazine
Promethazine is a drug prescribed to treat nausea, vomiting, motion sickness, allergic reactions, and for sedation prior to surgery. Promethazine causes sedation, confusion, and disorientation. In children less than two years of age it can depress respiration and lead to death. Other side effects include anticholinergic side effects such as blurred vision, dry mouth, dilated pupils, nausea, urinary retention (inability to urinate), impotence, and constipation.
Allergies: Myths and Facts About Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal allergy symptoms are hard. Do deserts prevent allergies? What can allergies do to your body? What is an allergen? Adult allergies can pop up unexpectedly, and sometimes childhood allergies disappear completely. Learn why, along with answers to various allergy questions, as we separate allergy myth from fact.
How to Differentiate Between the Signs and Symptoms of COVID-19, Allergies, Cold, and Flu?
Coronavirus disease or COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. Most people with COVID-19 will experience a mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without the need for intensive or special treatment. Serious illness is more likely in elderly people and those with underlying medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer.
What Are the Medicinal Uses of Honey?
Honey is a natural substance that has been used for several medicinal purposes for thousands of years. The medicinal uses of honey include that it boosts immunity, serotonin and antioxidants; it is antibacterial; it reduces stress and anxiety and it has many other uses.
What Are Typical Seasonal Allergy Symptoms?
Typical seasonal allergy symptoms include a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, congestion, and a sore throat.
What Is the Fastest Way to Fix Seasonal Allergies?
Seasonal allergies are common and tend to ramp up during the spring and summer. Learn about how to get rid of seasonal allergies fast with these 13 home remedies.