Does honey help with hay fever?
There is no strong evidence that honey helps with hay fever, as most studies show mixed or no benefits. Some small studies suggest certain types of honey may ease symptoms slightly, especially alongside other treatments, but results vary and do not apply widely. Local honey is unlikely to work because it mainly contains flower pollen, not the grass or tree pollen that causes most hay fever.
Key points:
- Evidence from studies is limited and shows conflicting results on honey reducing hay fever symptoms.
- Local honey contains mostly flower pollen, not the lighter grass or tree pollen behind hay fever.
- A few trials found specific honeys, like birch pollen honey, gave minor relief compared to placebo.
- Larger studies are needed to confirm if honey offers real benefits.
This text has been fact-checked for accuracy by medino's clinical team.