Buzz
For those suffering from seasonal allergies, finding relief from watery eyes, sore throats, and blocked noses can be challenging. A popular suggestion is to consume local honey or bee pollen to reduce symptoms. The idea behind this is that by exposing yourself to the pollen from nearby plants—likely the same ones causing allergic reactions—you can potentially train your immune system to be less reactive.
If pollen is your enemy, you may consider stocking up on local honey—but hold off on that trip to the farmer's market. The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology suggests that allergists don’t view local honey as a remedy for allergies.
There are several reasons why honey, though tasty, isn't a cure for allergies. One key reason is that most people suffering from seasonal allergies are reacting to pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds—plants that bees rarely pollinate. Bees tend to prefer flowers that aren’t associated with allergic reactions.
Moreover, honey doesn't contain large amounts of pollen. Bees produce honey from nectar, not pollen, and any pollen found in honey is an accidental addition. According to the National Honey Board, the pollen present is minimal and unlikely to have a noticeable effect on your immune system.
The scientific evidence supports this: A study published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology in 2002 revealed that individuals who consumed local honey or commercially produced honey experienced no more relief from their symptoms than those who took a placebo flavored with honey.
Bee pollen supplements are marketed as an allergy remedy, claiming to help your immune system become tolerant to pollen. However, these supplements contain significantly more pollen than most people encounter naturally, which can actually make allergy symptoms worse. Just 50 pollen grains per cubic meter of air can trigger hay fever, while one study found that a gram of bee pollen can contain between 0.4 and 6.4 million pollen grains.
It may not be surprising that some individuals with pollen allergies have had severe reactions, including anaphylaxis, after ingesting bee pollen. But that’s not the only risk these supplements pose: An article in the Journal of Dietary Supplements [PDF] noted that because bees gather pollen in unsanitary conditions, bee pollen may be contaminated with mold and bacteria, and warned that “it is impossible to produce a stable, consistent, and clean product from this contaminated source.”
While honey and bee pollen aren’t effective for allergy relief, sufferers have other options. Two immunotherapies are currently FDA-approved: the allergy shot and sublingual (under the tongue) tablets. (Sublingual drops and anti-allergy toothpaste are also available outside the U.S.) Both methods involve repeated, low-dose exposure to allergens, training the immune system not to react—just like honey and bee pollen aim to do, but don't. Unlike bee pollen or local honey, these treatments are prescribed by a doctor, the doses are controlled, and research has demonstrated their effectiveness, reducing the risk of adverse reactions and improving the chances of success.
