Happy Spring to you! I can always tell when it’s spring because I have a black car… which means during the months of March through June I have a “powdered” green car.

• puffy eyes
• noses that run faster than an Olympic sprinter
• sore throats and coughing attacks.

Eat LOCAL RAW HONEY. What’s that you say? How in the world does eating honey help with my allergies?

Here’s a breakdown on why “local” raw honey helps allergies.

1) The buzzin’ bees in your area pollinate plants and flowers

2) They bring pollen grain back to the hive and make their honey.

3) When you eat the honey a small dosage of that pollen grain is introduced into your system and then the magic happens.  

If pollen is your nemesis, your immune system kicks in and develops a natural defense. This is the process your body takes for any allergen it faces and the method behind allergy shots. The shot introduces a small dosage of an allergen, your immune system then recognizes it as a problem, fights it off and then develops antibodies that prevent future allergic reactions.

So long story short, you can stop pollen allergies by consuming locally produced raw honey is similar to taking a natural allergy shot.

This data is from a recent birch pollen study from a group of patients who consumed raw honey:

• 60 percent reduction in symptoms

• Twice as many asymptomatic days

• 70 percent fewer days with severe symptoms

• 50 percent decrease in usage of antihistamines

**TWO IMPORTANT WARNINGS**

Uno – Don’t give honey to infants, specifically babies less than 12 months old because there may be bacterial spores that can cause botulism. Botulism?! Cool if you want to remove wrinkle lines using botox…not cool for babies.

Dos – While I’m all for the natural approach to handling health problems you should take note that some people actually have allergic reactions to honey. If you’ve ever had this problem then this information is not for you and you should simply pass it on.

Until next time be well and be healthy. Always feel free to contact me if you have any questions, suggestions or input!