It’s one of the most common folk remedies that people swear by – eating local honey to ease seasonal allergies that affect so many of us.
The thinking has been that consuming local honey produced by bees acts as a natural allergy shot of sorts by exposing you to local allergens.
Bottom line: it's a tidy little theory, but there’s very little research to suggest that it actually works.
Aside from the lack of supporting research, most people who get seasonal allergies are actually reacting to tree and grass pollen, not flower pollen collected by bees.
Allergies aside, for children over age 1 and adults, honey is considered a safe and effective natural cough suppressant.
And when it comes to natural allergy remedies, you might consider butterbur, quercetin and stinging nettle. Before you start taking any supplement, however, check with your doctor or other care provider first.
Neti pots that use sterile saline to flush out nasal passages might also be an option for some patients. Doctors have lots of patients who swear by their neti pots. Safety note: use filtered water or boiled water, not tap water, for a neti pot.
Some patients might also consider using a HEPA air filter to remove allergens from the air, especially in their bedrooms.
Top scores for safety in NC
Demonstrating its steadfast commitment to patient safety and quality, Novant Health has received the most “A” Hospital Safety Grades in North Carolina for the third consecutive scoring period. The Leapfrog Group awarded the health system 9 “A” grades for the fall 2024 scoring period.
