Every spring, as the flowers bloom, millions of people suffer from seasonal allergies (allergic rhinitis). A very popular natural remedy is consuming a spoonful of raw, local honey every day to build immunity against pollen. But does it actually work?
The Immunotherapy Theory
The concept is similar to a vaccine. Raw honey contains microscopic amounts of the exact pollens that trigger your allergies. By consuming small amounts of this pollen daily, the theory suggests that your immune system becomes desensitized to it, reducing your allergic reaction over time.
The Reality
While many people report significant relief from eating raw honey, scientific studies have yielded mixed results. One reason is that the pollen causing most allergies comes from wind-pollinated weeds and grasses, not the bright flowers that bees typically visit.
However, raw honey is a potent anti-inflammatory. Even if the pollen desensitization isn't perfect, the honey helps soothe irritated throats and reduces inflammation in the respiratory tract. For the best results, use multiflora honey that contains a wide diversity of local pollens.