How to Control Allergies With Local Honey

Local honey is a folk remedy used to treat pollen allergies. It contains the same types of pollen that are found airborne in the local environment. The idea behind treating allergies with local honey is similar to allergy shots, in that the allergy is treated through long-term exposure to the local pollens contained in the honey in trace amounts.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Local honey

1. Find local honey. Allergy treatment requires local honey because bees will be exposed to the same types of pollen to which you are exposed during allergy season. Honey from other areas may be made from different types of plants. The best place to look for local honey is at a local farmer's market.

2. Eat two to three spoonfuls of local honey a day. Take it regularly, like medicine, for several months prior to allergy season. Raw honey, which is much less processed than typical honey, may be better for treating allergies because it contains more of the local pollens.

3. It is possible for local honey to cause cross-reactions in people who are allergic to certain pollens, rather than helping them build up a tolerance. Symptoms of these cross-reactions include itching, rash and shortness of breath, and can possibly lead to anaphylaxis. If you experience allergic reactions while on a local honey regimen, stop taking the honey and talk to your doctor.

Tips & Warnings

• You can store honey for a very long time. It's slightly acidic, so it doesn't go bad even without preservatives.
• Never give honey to infants under twelve months old, whether for allergies or other reasons. Bacteria in honey can cause a serious reaction called infant botulism, which leads to weakness, constipation, breathing problems and even death.

References

• Got Seasonal Allergies? Eat the Local Honey
• Cautions! on Using Local Honey for Allergy Therapy
• Infant Botulism: Why Is Honey a Concern?

Resources

• Local Honey for Combating Allergies

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