The Truth About Honey and Allergies in Montana

• Immunotherapy involves being exposed to the allergens causing the problem but does local honey have the right pollen
• Many allergies caused by plants aren't exactly what bees are looking for to create honey
• Even if the particular pollen is in the honey, dosage is nearly impossible to calculate or regulate for intake

Allergies in Montana Mean I Should Buy Stock in a Tissue Company

They are back.  The middle of April and I am reaching for a little blue bottle in my house that will keep me from sneezing.  Constantly.  All day, every day.  Those crazy allergies have hit with spring in Montana.

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If you have allergies, you have probably tried many different medicines, nasal sprays or even a shot for them.  Have you tried more traditional or holistic methods to relieve those allergies?  Was honey a part of them?

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The Truth About Honey and Allergies in Montana

Making the rounds again is the theory or belief that if you use local honey for immunotherapy, it will lessen the effects of your allergies to pollen.  Great theory, but does it really work?

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Unfortunately, according to WebMD, it doesn't.  In fact, those pollens that are giving you sneezing, runny nose or watery eyes aren't even in the honey you are ingesting.  They are probably coming from one of the following things:

• Trees
• Grasses
• Weeds

Science Behind Debunking Honey for Allergies in Montana

Even if the pollens that were directly affecting you were in the local honey, there probably wouldn't be enough to kick in your defense mechanism.  Plus, dosage of each spoonful would vary immensely.

Ultimately, honey feels wonderful going down but doesn't necessarily help with allergies.  From WebMD:

Local honey treatment for people with seasonal allergies hasn’t been tested in any peer-reviewed studies. But a few researchers have looked at honey, in general, as a potential shorter-term treatment for allergy symptoms and are commonly cited when people promote local honey remedies.  Aside from the soothing properties it has on the way down, honey just doesn’t have proven medicinal use for allergies.

While I wish I had a quick fix for my and your allergy problems, it seems we are not necessarily up a creek without a paddle, but definitely in a field of ragweed without a Kleenex.

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