Does drinking honey made in your region cure allergies? (Nasal Allergies) Let's find out if it's true or not!

Do you also start sneezing during the beautiful season when the trees are blooming, or when a slight cold comes? Your nose is stuffy, your eyes are watery, and your eyes are itchy, isn't it? Many people with nasal allergies like this are looking for a permanent solution to this. While searching for it, you may have heard that drinking local honey can completely cure this allergy. You must be thinking how much better this is than the medicine you buy from the pharmacy. So let's talk today, what is the truth or not in this story.

What is the 'argument' behind the story that honey cures allergies?

When I hear this story, it actually feels like there is a little scientific basis. Many people think: "We get allergies because of the pollen of the flowers in our environment. The bees in our area make honey from those same flowers. And that honey also contains a small amount of the pollen that causes allergies. When we drink a little honey every day, our body gradually gets used to that pollen. Over time, the allergy disappears completely."

Some people think that this is actually similar to immunotherapy, a treatment that doctors use for allergies. In that treatment, you start with a very small dose of the allergen, gradually introducing it into the body, allowing the body to adapt to it. So it's not surprising to think that the honey story is the same.

But the real story is different...

While this idea is nice to hear, the reality is much different. There are several major problems here.

1. The choice of bees and our allergy

Think about it, bees like flowers that are colorful and fragrant. They go to collect nectar from those attractive flowers. The pollen from those flowers is usually heavy and sticky. It doesn't float very far in the wind.

But it's not the pollen from those beautiful flowers that often causes allergies . It's the pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds that float in the wind and are barely visible to the naked eye. For example, plants like ragweed. Their pollen is very light, so it can float on the wind for miles.

2. The problem with 'dosage'

Let's say the type of pollen you're allergic to somehow got into the honey. The next question is the dose .

When a doctor uses immunotherapy for allergies, they do it in a very planned manner. They start with a very small, precisely measured dose , watch how the body responds to it, and then gradually increase the dose. It's a very controlled process.

But honey has no such control. The amount of pollen in one bottle of honey can be different from another. The amount of pollen in the spoonful of honey you drink today is not the same as the spoonful you drink tomorrow. It's like taking medicine with your eyes closed . You can't train your body's immune system properly with such irregular doses.

What does scientific research say?

There are no large, well-recognized scientific studies that have been conducted to determine whether local honey can cure allergies. Even the small studies that have been done have not been able to come to a clear conclusion. Therefore, while honey may provide relief for a minor scratchy throat or cough, it cannot be considered a proven treatment for allergies.

A very important warning!

Although honey is generally safe for adults, never give honey to babies under one year of age. Honey can sometimes contain spores of a bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. While adults can tolerate it, babies' digestive systems are not yet ready for it. This can lead to a dangerous condition called botulism .

So what are the real solutions to allergies?

Local honey is not a reliable solution for allergies. But don't worry, there are scientifically proven treatments that work.

• Medication: Your doctor may prescribe antihistamines or nasal corticosteroid sprays , which can help control symptoms to a great extent.
• Immunotherapy: This is the most long-term solution for allergies. It is given as a shot or as a drop/tablet that is placed under the tongue. Although this treatment can take several years, it has a high success rate of about 90%. The results last for years.

If you also have frequent allergy problems, before relying on what you find on the internet or hearsay and seeking treatment, be sure to see your family doctor (doctor) and get the right advice and treatment.

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