The researchers note that their study was small and that more extensive studies with larger groups of people are needed. Additionally, the researchers state that different types of honey should be studied to uncover exactly how honey could aid people with eczema. Honey does seem to have therapeutic properties, and it may help some people manage their allergy symptoms when used alongside allergy medicines.
More research is needed before honey can be recommended as a standalone allergy treatment. One of the most effective, long-term treatments for allergies is allergen immunotherapy. A doctor injects you with gradually increased doses of a specific allergen. By doing this with controlled doses, immunotherapy helps you build tolerance against the allergen. Allergen immunotherapy has proven to be successful for relieving symptoms triggered by environmental allergens , such as mold, dust mites, and local plant pollen.
Since the pollen you breathe in and that bees in your area use to make honey are one and the same, it would make sense that consuming locally-produced honey could help you build a tolerance if you have a pollen allergy. Scientific studies have yet to back this theory up, though.
And furthermore, many experts warn that people with pollen allergies should be extremely cautious about consuming honey altogether. Based on the studies above, it could be argued that, even if honey doesn't cure your allergies, it still can't hurt to give it a try. However, it's very important to remember that exposing yourself to an allergen without your doctor's supervision can lead to a severe and life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.
If you would like to try using honey as a form of allergen immunotherapy, talk to your doctor to see if it's right for you. Your doctor may recommend against it or they may schedule a time for you to try honey at their office, where they can be on standby in case you have an allergic reaction. Honey has been used for medicinal purposes in cultures across the world for thousands of years due to its many therapeutic properties.
But while research shows that honey may help some people manage their allergy symptoms, it probably won't be effective enough to replace antihistamines and other allergy medicines entirely. If you are allergic to pollen or have unidentified environmental allergies, you should only consume honey if your doctor gives you the OK.
While it's true that most food allergies begin in childhood, you can develop new allergies of any kind at any point in your life. This can happen due to changes in your immune system or exposure to allergens that your immune system never encountered before. Keep this in mind if you suddenly develop rashes or cold-like symptoms; if your symptoms keep returning, you should see your doctor for allergy testing.
Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. The potential use of honey as a remedy for allergic diseases: a mini review. Front Pharmacol. Eteraf-Oskouei T, Najafi M. Traditional and modern uses of natural honey in human diseases: a review.
Iran J Basic Med Sci. Denisow B, Denisow-Pietrzyk M. Biological and therapeutic properties of bee pollen: A review. Goldman RD. Honey for treatment of cough in children. Can Fam Physician. Honey and health: a review of recent clinical research. Pharmacognosy Res. Ingestion of honey improves the symptoms of allergic rhinitis: evidence from a randomized placebo-controlled trial in the East coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
Ann Saudi Med. Efficacy of intranasal honey spray: 'as an adjunct treatment for allergic rhinitis'. J Aus Trad Med Soc. Effect of propolis on moderate persistent asthma: A phase two randomized, double blind, controlled clinical trial.
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The scientists note in their paper that oral consumption of allergens has historically been shown to be an effective way to train the immune system not to overreact.
Not many people will be able to tolerate eating multiple tablespoons of honey every day. One more promising study suggests that it might also be about the type of honey. Finnish researchers decided to test the effect of birch pollen honey—regular honey, but with added bee-collected birch pollen. Birch pollen is one of the dominant season allergy sources in Finland, so the scientists gathered volunteers who were allergic to the tree and prescribed them either regular honey or birch pollen-enriched honey.
A third control group ate no honey. Those who got the extra birch pollen had significantly reduced symptoms and more symptom-free days, even more than those who got regular honey. They were simply advised not to eat any honey-containing foods during the study period. Or, the extra pollen may really have helped. All this being said, like all naturopathic remedies, you may genuinely feel better taking honey. These studies prove that the results you see are most likely the placebo effect—but the placebo effect can be helpful.
If you believe the honey helps, then the honey helps. Many medical treatments, such as allergy shots, are also based on this principle. The general idea is that you can desensitize the immune system to an allergen by exposing the body to small amounts of it over time. How would this process work with honey? Unlike grocery store varieties, raw local honey contains pollen from the immediate environment.
Pollen is the main culprit of seasonal allergies. Thus, if you consume small amounts of pollen over time, your body will stop recognizing local pollen as a threat. There is very little scientific evidence to suggest any sort of healing effect. Of the studies that do exist, the sample sizes are too small to generalize to the U. The honey cure is supported primarily by anecdotal evidence. While anecdotes can be helpful, they are also subjective and frequently riddled with errors and disproportionality overrepresent positive outcomes.
However, it is also possible — and much more likely — that trees in their area stopped releasing pollen because of seasonal changes. Firstly, there is no way for the average consumer to verify how much pollen is present in their honey.
The amount is likely so small that it would not have a therapeutic effect on the body. Bees are attracted to nectar, and as they collect it to make their honey, pollen accidentally sticks to their legs. In other words, pollen is a trace contaminant in honey, not the main ingredient.
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