I like honey and have been buying it from local producers who claim that it may help with allergies, as the unfiltered honey contains local pollens.

My allergist says that some patients claim it works, but she is dubious. Of course, she and her partners had rather give allergy shots, which are very expensive. They are more effective for serious allergies and asthma.

Have any of you tried local honey for allergies? With what results?

The unfitered stuff tastes stronger, with more character than major filtered brands, and I like it. But one producer told me that a rival gets some of his honey from Colorado. I'm in north Texas! The honey is excellent, but casts doubt on this producer's claim that it is local.

BTW, the lady with whom I spoke at one producer told me that bees often use cotton plants to make honey. This honey is likely to be lighter in color than that from wildflowers and clover, and crystallizes more easily.

I asked about pesticides as they don't filter or otherwise process their honey. She said that if a bee is affected by pesticides, it dies before returning to the hive. But might not distance from the plants to the hive affect this?

Do you like honey, or buy local brands? And has it helped your allergies?

It's going to depend on what you're allergic to. if it's pollen...yes, local honey will help.

But grass, certain tree pollens, dust, dander...honey won't help those allergies.

I use local honey because I buy everything I can locally from the little guys. That includes meat, milk, and produce too. Also I avoid refined cane sugar and high fructose corn syrup and the like. So yes...I use honey.

As far as allergies go...I don't have an issue.

My husband has terrible allergies...cockroaches, dust, most molds, all the pollinating trees in our area, grass, cats....so many triggers for him it wouldn't make a difference if he used honey at all.

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Soli Deo Gloria

My bees produce my honey. I don't have allergies so I can't speak to that issue. As a kid and well into my adult life I hated the stuff (store bought). The first time I tasted the honey from my bees I was amazed at the flavor and sweetness. I'm hooked. Commercial honey is pasteurized which destroys the taste and any benefits you may get from it, IMHO.

De Oppresso Liber

It used to help me early on when I had hay fever.
Later, fish oil did more for me.

Honey is very popular here. The farmers' markets are full of local honey products. Right now, we're eating a jar of ground honeycomb. You chew on a spoonful of it and after extracting all the honey, you can chew on the wax until you get tired of it and spit it out.

We also really enjoy the propolis candy which I've only seen for sale at that local market, but the healing properties seem to be effective. Propolis: MedlinePlus Supplements

As a beekeeper I have a lot of customers that buy my honey because it's "local" and they swear it helps them with their allergies. To be completely honest I haven't found any hard evidence that local honey helps in any way with allergies. If you were to ask your doctor I believe he'll tell you the same thing. On the other hand, if my customer's believe my honey helps them then who am I to argue with them? And BTW, honey does help the healing process if you have an open wound because it contains anti-bacterial properties.


Keith

The same goes for diary and juices...I avoid everything pasteurized for home use, especially dairy.

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Soli Deo Gloria

Thanks. And the anti-bacterial properties of honey have been known AT LEAST since the days of ancient Egypt.

Red wines also have such effects, over and above the issue of the alcohol content. One prominent Roman physician named Galen said that he never lost a wounded gladiator if he washed out the wounds with red wine, provided that the injuries were not in themselves fatal.

BTW, in Forests of the Night, hunter Jack Denton Scott mentioned that his pro guide in India ( shikari) used honey in his tea. I do that occasionally for variety. Pretty good.

For the OP, it would also depend on what the bees primary source of pollen is. Here of course we have a lot of "citrus" honey but there is clover and many other kinds. Buy from your local farmers market or small business owner

As to pesticides, most are very toxic to bees and if they are exposed they will die very quickly so I would not worry about trace amounts found in honey.
You will get far more pesticides from commercial products like apples and other fruits and vegetables. Especially those from other Countries.

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Still Running Against the Wind

I put local honey in my hot tea most of last winter and I believe it has helped my allergies. I used to have terrible problems with hay fever and pollen and this year is one of my best years ever in terms of lack of allergy symptoms.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

This is a little OT but this is something I want to ask about. Where I live in SW Ga. you hardly ever see a honeybee any more. In fact, I haven't seen one in two years. Up unto about 2009-10 bees were everywhere then they just disappeared seemingly overnight. There are tons of other types of bees, just no honeys. Has anyone else noticed a decline in them?

On a bit different note Google Manuka honey, my vet recommended it to treat a pressure sore on an elderly mutt, after trying all the "normal" prescriptions with out a lot of success, the Manuka honey healed the wound in a couple of weeks. The stuff is great for burns,open wounds,ulcers etc. I was a skeptic at first, now I am a believer in holistic medicines. Not bad in a mug of hot tea either.

Is this a creamed honey from New Zealand? I've had it.

In Dallas, Central Market stores have it, or have had it.

local

use it every morning as coffee sweetner

can't tell about help with allergies

I just like it.

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Professional Trainer

I heard that there was an increase in a bee virus in the South a few years back. IIRC it wasn't "Foul Brood" but something similar.

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Front sight and squeeze

Ditto.

As a side note, I had read something about honey and arthritis pain. Since I have been using honey in my coffee replacing sugar, my thumb and finger joints in my right hand don't have pain like they used to.

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2 Blessed 2B Stressed

I didn't like honey until a few years ago. I love it, now. I like making cinnimon toast and use honey instead of sugar.

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Wayne
Torn & Frayed