Influencers are claiming raw honey can stop hay fever, but evidence for its effectiveness is weak – and relying on it instead of allergy medication has its risks
s pollen counts increase in parts of Australia throughout spring and summer, so too do the number of social media posts spruiking the benefits of locally sourced honey to alleviate hay fever symptoms.
If the immune system perceives these particles as harmful, it will produce immunoglobulin E antibodies, says Prof Jo Douglass, a specialist physician in respiratory medicine and allergic disease. This in turn releases chemicals including histamine into the blood, which usually helps to protect against invaders like parasites.
Those who advocate that local honey can treat hay fever or prevent thunderstorm asthma believe that because local, unprocessed honey may contain small amounts of pollen collected by bees, ingesting this honey could gradually desensitise the immune system, working as a kind of immunotherapy that allows the body to get used to the allergen over time.“In Australia all of our allergenic pollen comes from trees and grasses, which bees barely come into contact with,” she says.
A systematic review – a type of scientific study that examines all of the research on a specific topic – found the“Overall, local honey was not better than a placebo and only a weak claim could be made that honey could be used in addition – and not instead of – allergy medication,” Hughes says.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
50 million and counting: Too many people want to be social media influencersThere are now an estimated 50 million influencers worldwide but as social media stars become more famous, their relative importance in the economy in which they operate has dwindled.
Read more »
50 million and counting: Too many people want to be social media influencersThere are now an estimated 50 million influencers worldwide but as social media stars become more famous, their relative importance in the economy in which they operate has dwindled.
Read more »
50 million and counting: Too many people want to be social media influencersThere are now an estimated 50 million influencers worldwide but as social media stars become more famous, their relative importance in the economy in which they operate has dwindled.
Read more »
New Broncos coach Michael Maguire gathering more information on Ezra Mam crash before ultimate decision7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
Top seven must-have products from Emma Sleep’s sale for ultimate comfort and quality sleep7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
Top seven must-have products from Emma Sleep’s sale for ultimate comfort and quality sleep7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »