Some natural health practitioners recommend honey for allergies. Local honey, in particular, has become popular in this treatment. However, there is very little scientific evidence to support these claims. The American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology notes local raw honey is not a replacement for allergy injections to desensitize people with a pollen allergy.
Honey can provide some health benefits and has been shown in limited studies to help reduce inflammation. But using honey for allergies or other allergic diseases like asthma, eczema, and hay fever is not likely to ease symptoms and could delay getting more effective treatment.
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Purported Benefits of Honey for Allergies
Honey is made from flower nectar. Bees suck the sugary substance from the plants and the nectar mixes with other substances in their digestive system. Then, it transforms into a new substance—honey—which can be harvested from the hive.
People have been using honey medicinally for thousands of years. But high-quality human studies investigating the benefits of honey, especially for allergies, are somewhat limited and has yielded inconsistent results. Much of the research is old and limited in scope.
Still, there are numerous claims about what honey may be able to do to reduce the impact of allergies and allergic diseases, like asthma and eczema. Here is what we know about honey benefits and how it may—or may not—help relieve your allergies.
About 20% of the world’s population has an allergic condition like asthma, eczema, and hay fever. People often have more than one allergic condition, and managing them all can be challenging.
Immunotherapy with Local Honey
One of the most effective and lasting allergy treatments is allergenimmunotherapy. By exposing you to an allergen with controlled doses, immunotherapy helps you build a tolerance to it.
Based on this application, some people believe that consuming local honey can help expose you to allergens in your area that might trigger your specific allergic reaction. The problem, however, is that there is no scientific evidence to back up these claims.
Furthermore, it is questionable whether the pollens gathered by bees to make honey are the same pollens that cause allergic reactions in humans.
Even if the allergy-triggering pollen is present, it is likely in very small amounts, and honey does not act as allergy shots do. In allergy shots, the triggering pollen is given in progressively increasing amounts.
The bottom line is that while immunotherapy is an established protocol for allergies, there is no evidence to suggest consuming local honey can provide the same effect.
Honey as a Cough Suppressant
Honey is often said to be an easy way to ease common cold, flu, or allergy symptoms. For example, honey is often used as a cough suppressant.
One 2022 study compared the use of honey versus cough medications for treating coughs in children over the age of 12 months. Study authors concluded that honey was effective in treating children above 12 months of age, mainly if used in the first three days of cough symptoms.
But study authors were also quick to point out that honey can cause botulism in young children.
Honey Warning
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that you do not give honey to a baby younger than 12 months. Honey is safe only for children 1 year and older.
Honey as an Anti-Inflammatory
Research has suggested that honey could have anti-inflammatory properties. Honey contains antioxidants that can provide anti-inflammatory benefits.
If it’s able to help lower inflammation, honey may also be able to help:
- Relieve the itchiness and inflammation caused by eczema skin rashes
- Soothe a scratchy sore throat from hay fever
- Reduce inflammation in the airways (which can make it hard for people with asthma to breathe)
It is important to note, however, that these benefits are only theoretical. There is no strong evidence that honey can provide these specific benefits for people with allergies.
Risks and Contraindications
While honey may provide some benefits, there are some drawbacks to using this natural remedy.
Honey is not safe for children under 12 months of age and consuming honey may come with other risks, especially when used as medicine.
Bacterial Contamination
While honey might have reduced the inflammation of the eczema sores in one study, the researchers also noticed a possible downside of the treatment.
When the researchers tested for bacteria concentration, they found that some of the sores that had been treated with honey had more bacteria in them than the untreated sores.
The contamination might have happened because honey has a high sugar content, making it an environment that bacteria can thrive in.
Increased Bleeding
The 2021 study investigating propolis (which is naturally present in honey) for asthma showed potential benefits, but propolis might increase the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.
In addition, a chemical in propolis might slow blood clotting. And taking propolis could increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery.
Propolis is naturally present in honey but it can also be taken as a supplement. Consuming propolis is not advised before surgery or if you have a bleeding disorder.
Delay in Treatment
People using local honey for allergies may be disappointed when the treatment doesn't help ease symptoms. Using honey may also cause you to delay more effective exposure therapies given by a credentialed healthcare provider.
As a general rule, you should never do allergy exposure by yourself. Only a healthcare provider—particularly someone who is trained in allergies (allergist or immunologist)—can help you safely build up a tolerance to an allergen.
Allergic Reaction
Even if honey won’t cure your allergies, you may think there’s no harm in trying it—but that’s not necessarily true. Exposing yourself to an allergen can lead to serious reactions, including a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis.
Honey allergies are rare, but there are some documented cases of allergic reactions after exposure to honey. In a 2017 published report, a 37-year-old patient developed swollen lips, a red rash, and facial swelling about 10 minutes after accidental contact with a teaspoon that had traces of honey. She then developed symptoms of anaphylaxis.
Symptoms of anaphylaxis may include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, dizziness, nauseousness, or vomiting. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening, but in the case report, the patient was given adrenaline and her symptoms resolved.
Summary
Honey has been used for medicinal purposes around the world for thousands of years. Exploratory studies on honey for allergy symptoms have not been promising. Honey is not thought to be an allergy treatment in itself.
There are also risks to consuming honey. You should never give honey to an infant. And you should never try to do an exposure treatment on your own. Before using honey for allergies, talk to your healthcare provider about the best treatment options for you.
