MEDICINAL AND ALLERGY BENEFITS
Local Honey and Allergies: Myth or Fact?
The theory that only local honey helps as a remedy for local allergies is a bit of a myth and mostly anecdotal.
Given the fact that pollen most likely found in local honey is not pollen to which humans are allergic, it's unlikely that consuming local honey will desensitize one to these pollens. However, the immune system enhancements brought about by consuming raw honey can be profound.
Pine honey and oak honey—activate B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes to stimulate the immune system in dealing with local allergens.
If you’re looking for allergy support, choose a honey that has the most therapeutic effect on your immune system: a high antioxidant honey that has also been certified free of potential immune-sapping toxins such as glyphosate and antibiotics.
How and why honey works on skin wounds
You might have heard anecdotes of honey being used to heal wounds and reduce scarring. But typical store-bought honeys are not raw, and they could contain high fructose corn syrup. Using such liquids on a wound will only enhance bacterial spread.
In his book, The New Honey Revolution, Ron Fessenden, MD, MPH explains how the physiologic and therapeutic properties of varietal, raw honey work as an agent in wound healing:
A raw, antioxidant-rich amber or darker honey:
contains anti-microbial properties and low water content; when in contact with other tissues, it absorbs water from cells, killing them.
is very acidic; the pH of raw honey varietals are less than 4.0. Acidity inhibits bacterial growth.
generates controlled amounts of hydrogen peroxide when in contact with human tissue, providing a perfectly natural disinfectant, especially on burns.
was found to stimulate tissue growth by lowering prostaglandin levels, the hormones responsible for inflammation.
“Certain honeys rich in antioxidants contains phytoestrogens. Studies on Greek honey have found that those phytoestrogens can blunt the growth of breast, prostate, and endometrial cancers.”
