Eat Local Honey, Avoid Seasonal Allergies?
As we start to get excited about spring, it’s easy to forget that spring’s friend and partner-in-crime, spring allergies, are on their way as well. Over-the-counter medications can make you groggier than the allergies themselves, but leaving the hay fever and sneezing alone is just not an option for most. However, there is an all-natural remedy that can make your sneezy, teary spring days an unfortunate memory.
What Can I Do?
The remedy is simple, so simple, in fact, that many naysayers believe it to be untrue: Eat local honey; avoid seasonal allergies.
How Does It Work?
The thought process behind this “old wives’ tale remedy” is based in the same science behind vaccinating people against disease. Eating local honey means that the flower pollens used by local bees to make it is ingested in smaller doses than it would be in the air. By ingesting these pollens regularly, your body becomes accustomed to them, and when the same pollens are present in the air, your body does not react as though they were foreign bodies.
But Does It Work?
Unfortunately, it’s impossible to know for sure whether the organic honey method works, as few scientific tests have been performed. It’s very difficult to convince a big honey supplier to fund the research when the results would benefit small, local honey makers! But anecdotal evidence from people who have tried it seems to show a trend, and even naysayers tout the benefits of honey as an anti-fungal, a source of vitamins and minerals and an immune-system booster.
Be aware: Some people who suffered from seasonal allergies and tried the honey remedy actually had an allergic reaction to the honey. If you’re considering starting a local honey regimen and you’ve never eaten local honey before, consult with a medical professional first.
Learn more about local honey, and find out where locally produced honey is available near you. And, get your daily dose in some of these delicious recipes:
- Frozen Honey Banana Pops
- Marjoram Scented Pears with Gorgonzola
- Grilled Baby Pineapples with Honey Chardonnay Glaze
- Strawberry Cereal Shake
image: wwarby
