Honey is said to help with hay fever symptoms – here’s what the research says about this claim
Senior Lecturer in Genetic Immunology, Nottingham Trent University
Professor of One Health, Nottingham Trent University
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Honey has a long history as a revered natural remedy across many cultures. Ancient civilisations recognised its therapeutic potential, employing it for various medicinal purposes. The ancient Egyptians, Assyrians, Chinese, Greeks and Romans, for instance, used it to heal wounds. And many cultures today continue to use it as a remedy for sore throats and coughs.
Some people also assert that honey can alleviate hay fever symptoms. Advocates of this method claim honey can help thanks to its purported anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties (though empirical evidence for this is lacking).
But what does science actually say about this age-old remedy? Recent investigations into honey’s potential for alleviating hay fever symptoms have yielded intriguing findings that certainly warrant further exploration.
One fascinating aspect being investigated is honey’s ability to act as a form of immunotherapy – a treatment strategy that aims to modify the immune system’s response to allergens.
Immunotherapy involves exposing the immune system to gradually increasing doses of allergens, such as pollen, in a controlled manner. This exposure helps desensitise the immune system over time, reducing its hypersensitivity and lessening allergic reactions.
For instance, one study found that people who consumed local honey daily for four weeks alongside an allergy tablet had significant improvements in their hay fever symptoms compared to those who only took an allergy tablet.
To read the complete article go to The Conversation, Honey is said to help with hay fever symptoms – here’s what the research says about this claim (theconversation.com)
