Although there are some over-the-counter remedies for seasonal allergies, some people may prefer to look for natural remedies for them. One of the most popular natural remedies, which is rumored to help treat allergic rhinitis symptoms, is raw honey. Is it possible to treat allergic rhinitis with honey?

Nasal allergy

Allergic rhinitis is a condition that causes symptoms similar to those of the common cold, such as a runny nose, congestion, and sinus pressure. It is also known as hay fever, allergic rhinitis, or seasonal allergies.

But unlike the common cold, nasal allergy is not caused by viruses, as it is an allergic reaction to internal or external allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander.

Symptoms of allergic rhinitis

Symptoms of allergic rhinitis include:

• Runny nose
• Itching in the nose and the roof of the throat
• Redness and inflammation of the eye
• Swelling of the skin below the eye
• Cough
• sneeze
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Headache
• Breathing difficulty

Treating allergic rhinitis with honey

The use of honey, especially raw honey, has been known to treat many symptoms such as sore throat and cough, due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

But with regard to the treatment of allergic rhinitis with honey, the results of studies have been conflicting about the effectiveness of honey in treating seasonal allergy symptoms. Where some studies found that eating honey, whether raw or pasteurized, in order to treat the symptoms of allergic rhinitis in the people participating in the study, did not lead to an improvement in their symptoms while eating a spoonful of raw honey daily.

While another study found that taking doses of honey may help improve symptoms within 8 weeks. Here, the theory of treating allergic rhinitis with honey relied on a concept called immunotherapy. This is by getting a small amount of the thing you are allergic to, which may make you less sensitive to that thing.

Where some people believe that raw honey may contain a percentage of pollen, and after a period of treatment and in larger doses, the body begins to build immunity against allergens.

This idea may be similar to the idea of ​​allergy shots, which are used to treat allergies in people who are allergic to pollen, by exposing them to a certain type of pollen, or a mixture of pollen injected at regular intervals.

But the difference between the two methods is that in the case of allergy injections, the amounts of pollen are known, and they gradually increase to a certain level under the supervision of a doctor.

But in reality, no one has a way of knowing what exactly the honey you’ve purchased might contain. Also, you may not be allergic to the pollen found in honey, as the main cause of allergic rhinitis is caused by pollen from trees and grasses, and not from the pollen that bees carry from flowers.

Therefore, it may become difficult to determine the effectiveness of honey in treating allergic rhinitis, or to recommend specific amounts that a person can take daily for treatment.

In addition, there are no guarantees about the amount of pollen in honey (in the case of people who are allergic to bee pollen).

On the other hand, despite the fact that honey has not been proven effective in treating allergic rhinitis, honey can still be used as a good alternative to sugary foods. Honey is also commonly used to relieve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, as it can be used as a natural cough suppressant and sore throat.

Notice: It is not recommended to give honey to children under the age of one year, because honey may cause food poisoning in infants. Some people who are allergic to bee pollen may also experience an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) after consuming honey.