Does Eating Local Honey Actually Help with Allergies? Here’s What Experts Say

Springtime means warm weather, longer days and colorful flowers, as trees, shrubs and other plants emerge from winter dormancy. Despite beautifying the natural landscape, spring blooms can cause seasonal allergies for around a quarter of the U.S. population. For some, the presence of seasonal allergies, like pollen and ragweed, can activate the immune system, triggering a host of uncomfortable symptoms like congestion, a runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing and fatigue. There’s no shortage of over-the-counter allergy medications that may help (and chances are you have one or a few in your medicine cabinet), but what about natural remedies?

Many people believe that consuming local honey—made by bees that are, theoretically, pollinating some of those same plants that are causing your allergies—may ease symptoms. But, does it actually work? While there are some health benefits of honey, the experts agree that it does not help alleviate your seasonal allergy symptoms. Here’s what the research says, plus get tips for managing your symptoms that actually will work. 

Why Local Honey Doesn’t Help Alleviate Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

Though it might seem as though consuming tiny amounts of pollen in local honey could have an immunotherapeutic effect on seasonal allergies, research does not back up this claim, says Gary Soffer, M.D., FAAP, a Yale Medicine pediatric allergist-immunologist. “There are many reasons to enjoy local honey. It’s delicious, one of the healthier sweeteners, and supporting local beekeepers benefits the environment.

However, the scientific evidence does not support the idea that it helps with seasonal allergies,” he explains. Soffer points to one study that examined the potential benefits of local, unprocessed and unfiltered honey against a placebo. Neither of the honey groups experienced alleviation of seasonal allergy symptoms beyond that of the placebo group. 

There are a few reasons why local honey likely isn’t effective for managing seasonal allergies. “It is believed that local pollen builds up an immunity in the body. However, the percentage of actual pollen found in most honeys is only about 1%,” says C. Marina Marchese, an accredited instructor with the Italian National Register of Experts in the Sensory Analysis of Honey.

In fact, that tiny amount of pollen in local honey probably isn’t even from the same type of plant causing your seasonal allergies. That’s because pollen travels in different ways. Plants that release clouds of yellow pollen that cause seasonal allergies are anemophilous, meaning their pollen is wind-borne. This category includes conifers and grasses like the common allergen ragweed. These plants have small, unshowy flowers, yet release great quantities of pollen that travel through the air. Conversely, honeybees seek out entomophilous plants, including many garden flowers and wildflowers, that rely on insects to pollinate their big, colorful blooms. 

“Most people are allergic to wind-borne pollens, not the insect-borne pollens collected by bees, so the types of pollen in honey are unlikely to match the ones causing allergic symptoms,” Soffer says.

Best Ways to Treat Seasonal Allergies

While honey might not be an effective remedy for seasonal allergies, over-the-counter treatments like nasal sprays, antihistamines and even some natural remedies may help relieve common symptoms. “The first line of treatment for seasonal allergies includes nasal corticosteroid or antihistamine sprays. Both are safe, well-tolerated and effective,” says Soffer. “For those seeking more natural options, saline rinses using a neti pot can help flush out allergens, and herbs like stinging nettle and butterbur have shown some promise in early studies.”

For those suffering from severe seasonal allergies who seek long-term relief from their symptoms, Soffer recommends allergen immunotherapy, which may reduce a person’s sensitivity to allergens over time. This treatment can be administered via allergy shots or sublingual tablets.

Health Benefits of Honey

Local honey may not help your seasonal allergies, but both Soffer and Marchese agree that it can offer other health benefits. “Although honey isn’t effective for allergy relief, it is a great natural cough suppressant. I often recommend ½ to 2 teaspoons before bedtime to help with nighttime coughs,” Soffer says. 

Honey also possesses several properties that can be beneficial, according to Marchese. Its low pH means that many types of bacteria, fungi and viruses can’t survive in its presence. Honey is also hygroscopic (moisture-absorbing), meaning it may be helpful for treating wounds and preventing infection when applied topically.

“Certain honeys have properties that have proven to fight staph and MRSA [methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus]. For example, manuka honey is produced from a type of tea tree which has active antibacterial properties,” Marchese says. Plus, she notes that honey contains amino acids, vitamin B, enzymes, flavonoids, antioxidants and essential minerals.

Other potential health benefits of honey include reducing inflammation, improving heart health and supporting a healthy gut. To maximize honey’s benefits—and enjoy the best flavor—Marchese recommends sourcing fresh, local honey from backyard beekeepers and avoiding commercially produced, imported or processed honeys that have been filtered, heat-treated or blended. Unprocessed honey may crystallize, but it’s still safe to eat. 

Still, Soffer notes that honey and other forms of sugar are best consumed in moderation. It’s also important not to give honey to children under the age of 1 year, as it contains bacteria that can cause life-threatening infant botulism.

The Bottom Line

While it offers other health benefits, there’s no evidence that local honey is effective for preventing or alleviating seasonal allergies. Instead, consider over-the-counter medications, like nasal sprays and oral antihistamines, or natural remedies, like rinsing with a neti pot, to manage symptoms. Whether you’re enjoying honey for its sweet flavor or seeking to soothe a scratchy throat, consume it in moderation.