Experts have warned that local honey won’t cure hayfever, despite growing online searches suggesting it may help ease symptoms due to the local pollen bees use to make it
Brits have been buzzing about local honey as a miracle cure for hayfever – but experts have now swatted down the sweet myth, warning it could do more harm than good this summer.
As the UK pollen count soars and sufferers reach for natural remedies, online searches for ‘is local honey good for hayfever?’ and ‘eating local honey for allergies’ have exploded, according to Google Trends. But the popular belief that spooning down honey from your local bees can protect you from sneezing, itchy eyes and scratchy throats has no science behind it – and could leave allergy sufferers worse off, according to pharmacists.
Allan Green, a leading pharmacist and hayfever specialist at Weldricks Pharmacy, says the trend is misleading. “This is a widely discussed hayfever remedy,” he explains, “but there’s no solid scientific evidence that eating honey will cure your pollen allergy.”
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The theory behind the trend is that bees collect local pollen to make their honey, so by consuming it, people can supposedly build immunity to the very allergens causing their hayfever.
But Allan says the facts simply don’t add up, explaining: “The actual amount of pollen in finished honey is tiny. It’s unlikely to be concentrated enough to make any real difference to your immune system.”
Allan claims it could even be dangerous as people rely solely on honey instead of using proven hayfever treatments like antihistamines or nasal sprays, leaving them wide open to misery during peak pollen season.
“Relying on honey alone,” Allan warns, “could actually be detrimental to hayfever sufferers, especially when they skip proper medication believing this sweet trick will do the job.”
That’s not to say you need to ditch honey completely. While honey won’t cure hayfever, it can still help soothe sore throats and calm tickly coughs – similar to how it helps treat people suffering from cold or flu symptoms.
For those who do suffer from hayfever, Allan advises: “Start your antihistamines now. Getting ahead of your symptoms is key.
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“Combining trusted medicine with soothing extras like honey is fine – just don’t expect a miracle from the honey alone.”
With hayfever season well and truly upon us, another pharmacist has warned those who suffer about certain types of antihistamines on the market.
Deborah Grayson took to TikTok to address growing concerns about the long-term safety of over-the-counter allergy medications, particularly those that cause drowsiness.
Known online as the “Godmother of Pharmacology”, Deborah said there is a “distinct risk” of developing dementia from long-term use of sedative antihistamines, due to their impact on brain chemistry.
Deborah said: “In short, you can [take antihistamines daily], especially if you’re using it for allergies, hayfever, seasonal rhinitis, allergic rhinitis and the problem is there consistently.
“I would always advise taking a non-drowsy antihistamine as opposed to one that causes drowsiness because the drowsy antihistamines interfere with the neurotransmitters in the brain and if we’re using those long term, there is a distinct risk of dementia as a result of this.”
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