As the spring gets underway I’m reminded why I love this time of year…fresh produce, sunny skies, warm afternoon breezes. It’s the world’s great reparation after a snowy and frozen winter. I breathe deeply and smile. And as my smile dies in a fit of coughing and wheezing I’m reminded also of the Spring’s scourge: pollen. Ain’t life grand?
Allergies suck. Period. Just as the world is coming alive and blooming with possibilities, your immune and respiratory systems team up in mutiny. And when the pollen is at its worst, even escaping indoors isn’t an option. It can be daunting and frustrating and leave you feeling miserable.
Several years ago I ran across a forum post that claimed allergies could be successfully treated with a daily tablespoon of raw, unprocessed honey. Raw honey is unfiltered and still contains all of the pollen that was deposited by the bees during creation. The idea is that small, daily doses of the pollen will gradually allow your body to become desensitized to it effects. But here’s the key: the honey must come from a local source and contain the same kinds of pollen that you will be exposed to naturally.
It may not work for everyone, especially those with severe allergies, but after almost three years of doing this my mild allergies are no longer a problem. Additionally, you can also reduce the allergens in your home environment by using a vacuum with a HEPA filter. The Dyson DC25 Animal vacuum comes with a certified HEPA filter and is approved by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (as are several other Dyson models). In this way you can attack the problem on several fronts.
No one should say that these steps will work for everyone and raw honey isn’t a cure all. But it’s a relatively cheap and easy option. For those with mild to moderate allergies it is worth trying. Who knows, you may even find yourself enjoying Spring again.
