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DISCLAIMER and TERMS OF USE
The AllergyExpert.US does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
The contents of AllergyExpert.US site ("Site"), such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the
AllergyExpert.US Site ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for
professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health
provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or
delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the AllergyExpert.US Site.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. AllergyExpert.US does not recommend
or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the
Site. Reliance on any information provided by AllergyExpert.US, AllergyExpert.US authors, others appearing on the Site at the
invitation of AllergyExpert.US, or other visitors to the Site is solely at your own risk.
The Site and the Content are provided on an "as is" basis.
Using fresh local honey has been claimed to be effective for the treatment of environmental allergies for many years. A quick search on the
Internet shows that it is still prevalent. But does it work?
The theory behind honey for the use of allergies is based on the idea that bees carry back pollen to their hives which will end up in the
honey. Subsequently, it is claimed that eating this local fresh honey will improve allergies as the ingested pollen in it will desensitize the
body of the allergies.
That theory doesn't make sense however. Where do bees go to make honey? They go to flowering plants! One will find little of the
pollen responsible for allergies in honey. This is because seasonal allergies are the result of an allergic reaction to pollen from
non-flowering plants (such as from the Maple tree, Birch tree, and grasses). Non-flowering plant pollen is very light and small - two
characteristics great for causing allergies because they enable pollen to float in the air for long periods of time and enter the airways easily.
On the other hand, pollen from flowering plants (where bees go) is big and heavy. Consequently, it does not float in the air much and is
too big to enter very far in airways. This is why it is rare for people to be allergic to flowering plants.
Not only is the theory behind honey and allergies flawed, but the scientific research does not support it's use for the treatment of allergies.
For example, a study published in 2002 in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology looked at the effects of fresh local honey in
individuals with allergies. The very well done study compared the effects of fresh (raw, unfiltered, unpasteurized) honey to pasteurized
honey and placebo in allergy sufferers. The results demonstrated that fresh honey was no better than pasteurized honey or placebo in
relieving allergy symptoms.
Source includes:
Rajan TV et al. Effect of ingestion of honey on symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2002;88:198-203.
Internet shows that it is still prevalent. But does it work?
The theory behind honey for the use of allergies is based on the idea that bees carry back pollen to their hives which will end up in the
honey. Subsequently, it is claimed that eating this local fresh honey will improve allergies as the ingested pollen in it will desensitize the
body of the allergies.
That theory doesn't make sense however. Where do bees go to make honey? They go to flowering plants! One will find little of the
pollen responsible for allergies in honey. This is because seasonal allergies are the result of an allergic reaction to pollen from
non-flowering plants (such as from the Maple tree, Birch tree, and grasses). Non-flowering plant pollen is very light and small - two
characteristics great for causing allergies because they enable pollen to float in the air for long periods of time and enter the airways easily.
On the other hand, pollen from flowering plants (where bees go) is big and heavy. Consequently, it does not float in the air much and is
too big to enter very far in airways. This is why it is rare for people to be allergic to flowering plants.
Not only is the theory behind honey and allergies flawed, but the scientific research does not support it's use for the treatment of allergies.
For example, a study published in 2002 in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology looked at the effects of fresh local honey in
individuals with allergies. The very well done study compared the effects of fresh (raw, unfiltered, unpasteurized) honey to pasteurized
honey and placebo in allergy sufferers. The results demonstrated that fresh honey was no better than pasteurized honey or placebo in
relieving allergy symptoms.
Source includes:
Rajan TV et al. Effect of ingestion of honey on symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2002;88:198-203.
Does honey work for the treatment of seasonal allergies?