Some natural health practitioners recommend honey for allergies.
Local honey, in particular, has become popular in this treatment.
However, there is very little scientific evidence to support these claims.
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Purported Benefits of Honey for Allergies
Honey is made from flower nectar.
Bees suck the sugary substance from the plants and the nectar mixes with other substances in their digestive system.
Then, it transforms into a new substancehoneywhich can be harvested from the hive.
People have been using honey medicinally for thousands of years.
Much of the research is old and limited in scope.
Here is what we know about honey benefits and how it mayor may nothelp relieve your allergies.
Immunotherapy with Local Honey
One of the most effective and lasting allergy treatments isallergen immunotherapy.
By exposing you to an allergen with controlled doses,immunotherapyhelps you build a tolerance to it.
The problem, however, is that there is no scientific evidence to back up these claims.
In allergy shots, the triggering pollen is given in progressively increasing amounts.
For example, honey is often used as acough suppressant.
But study authors were also quick to point out that honey can cause botulism in young children.
Honey is safeonlyfor children 1 year and older.
There is no strong evidence that honey can provide these specific benefits for people with allergies.
Propolis is naturally present in honey but it can also be taken as a supplement.
Consuming propolis is not advised before surgery or if you have a bleeding disorder.
Using honey may also cause you to delay more effective exposure therapies given by a credentialed healthcare provider.
As a general rule, you should never do allergy exposure by yourself.
Exposing yourself to an allergen like pollen can lead to serious reactions, including a life-threatening reaction calledanaphylaxis.
Summary
Honey has been used for medicinal purposes around the world for thousands of years.
Exploratory studies on honey for allergy symptoms have not been promising.
Honey is not thought to be an allergy treatment in itself.
There are also risks to consuming honey.
You should never give honey to an infant.
And you should never have a go at do an exposure treatment on your own.
Before using honey for allergies, talk to your healthcare provider about the best treatment options for you.
American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology.Nasal symptoms.
2022 Sep 20;14(9):e29346.
2015;7(5):513517. doi:10.4168/aair.2015.7.5.513
