Can Honey Cure Seasonal Allergies?

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I’ve heard over and over that if you eat locally produced honey or bee pollen, you can minimize the discomfort from seasonal pollen and tree allergies.

But, is it true?

I decided it was time to put on my researcher hat and dig up some information.

What Honey Can (And Can’t) Do

After doing lots of reading, the honey cure isn’t backed by much credible evidence.

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, “There is no scientific proof that eating local honey will improve seasonal allergies. One study, published in 2002 in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, showed no difference among allergy sufferers who ate local honey, commercially processed honey, or a honey-flavored placebo.”

However, honey is a healthy, whole foods sweetener that offers other health benefits.

Dr. Brent A. Bauer with the Mayo Clinic explains on the clinic’s website that honey does work as a cough suppressant and has anti-inflammatory characteristics, which might help an allergy sufferer temporarily.

A Word of Caution for Allergy Sufferers

Since raw honey does contain small amounts of pollen, mold spores and bacteria (which are usually filtered out by commercial processing methods), consuming natural unprocessed honey may cause an allergic response in sensitive individuals.

“The ingestion of unprocessed honey can result in an immediate allergic reaction involving the mouth, throat, or skin - such as itching, hives or swelling - or even anaphylaxis. Such reactions may be related to either pollen or bee part contaminants,” according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

So, should you eat honey if you have strong seasonal allergies? It’s best to talk with your allergist or family physician.

Do you know of any natural remedies to lessen the symptoms of seasonal outdoor allergies? I have a hubby and a few friends who would love to know what works for you! Please share your ideas in the comments below.

Until Next Time,

Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague

Whole Foods Living

Eating Raw Honey

Sometimes the hubby and I like to splurge on an "odd" food purchase. Once, we almost bought a 4-foot long piece of raw sugar cane. But, we decided the dogs would think it's a toy and chew on it before we could learn how to use it.

Honeycomb. Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

Last week we ventured into the world of raw honey. In the realm of health foods, I know raw honey isn't too strange, but it was a first for us. First of all, it's expensive! I think it was about $12 for a square the size of an everyday, lunch bag sandwich.

But, we love to try new things, so we splurged. Plus, honey is one of nature's perfect whole foods!

Raw honey is delicious. I commented the flavor reminded me of smelling flowers; This was clover honey, so I wasn't too far off. Chewing on the honeycomb is a little strange. It was chewy like gum, but waxy at the same time. I love beeswax in cosmetics, so maybe I should save the comb instead of eating it.

What else did we learn? Raw honey (including the honeycomb) melts in a cup of hot tea. It forms a weird waxy ring around the perimeter of your cup making the tea difficult to drink.

Have you ever eaten raw honey with the honeycomb? I'd love to learn some new ways to eat this sweet treat! Please share your tips in the comments below! Otherwise, I'm just going to keep nibbling on that square bit by bit...

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

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