Green Eyes On: Bee Pollen Cures Allergies

For the skeptics, consider this ... as a scientific 'control', of sorts:

I had no prior knowledge of the allergy 'benefits'. Neither had I even thought of it, actually.

I began taking bee pollen (starting with just a few granules and gradually increasing to a teaspoon or two per day) for purely nutritional reasons.

Seeing the package of bee pollen at the health food store, I figured I try it out for possible trace nutrients that I may be lacking.

Beginning in the autumn of the year ('03, or so), it took me 6-8 months to finish the package of bee pollen. I had forgotten about it by summertime and I was about a month into allergy season (for me) before I noticed that I hadn't even sneezed.

That season, the allergies were insignificant in all respects: began later; less effects overall; the usual 'peak' week was minor (usually dozens of body-contorting sneezes per day) in duration and intensity.

It may be said that for some there is a psychosomatic effect of 'knowing' ... but in my case, there was no such prior knowledge.

It works! I am certain of it.

For the first and only time in my life of over three decades of allergies since childhood, there was such a major reduction of allergic affects that it is truly insignificant.

David.

It would be nice, since you're recommending that people ingest something that's known to *cause* severe allergies in some people, if your warning about that were closer to the top of your article. Or if you could explain exactly what "bee pollen" is, because bees don't produce pollen, you see. Sorry, I'm hesitant to take medical advice from someone so careless.

Typically I don't get allergies, but in the 80's a case of allergic bronchitis hit my system hard. After a round of antibiotics for the bronchitis, my medical doctor told me to eat local honey, raw if possible. He said it would build my body's resistance to local allergens, and wildflower honey is best. Talk about some yummy medicine! Never heard of buying bee pollen directly -- but given how well honey has worked for 20 years, this sounds GREAT!

Typically I don't get allergies, but in the 80's a case of allergic bronchitis hit my system hard. After a round of antibiotics for the bronchitis, my medical doctor told me to eat local honey, raw if possible. He said it would build my body's resistance to local allergens, and wildflower honey is best. Talk about some yummy medicine! Never heard of buying bee pollen directly -- but given how well honey has worked for 20 years, this sounds GREAT!

Yay! Support the loss of bees! Fun for the whole family...

The great wiki tells me:
"Bee bread or bee pollen[1] is the main source of food for most honey bees and their larvae. Bee bread consists of honey and pollens which are gathered by the worker bees."

Anyone with severe allergies will tell you that it's horrible and any cure, especially natural, is welcomed for a testing. Anyway, Claratin is expensive and not natural.

The idea that locally raised bee pollen or honey can benefit allergy suffers has been around for many years, and seems biologically plausible. However, the vaildity of the claim has never been demonstrated through a scientific study. It is therefore misleading to say that it has been "proven effective" by people around the world who have used it. It is more correct to say that there is a lot of testimonial, anecdotal evidence for its use.

Just a couple of thoughts and a warning:

I suffer from allergies chronically -- all year long. I've been taking allergy meds for at least the last 20 years. I want to get off of them -- desperately. To that end I've begun to consume local bee pollen, starting with just a little. I realize this is a long term project. What got me thinking about bee pollen was articles and stories I've seen that talk about how "clean" (as in sanitized) our environment is and how at odds this cleanliness is to the way we evolved. The examples referred to the pasteurization process that eliminates organisms beneficial to the symbiotic immune system in our gut -- a front line in our body's defenses. I've been consuming probiotic juices and foods for the past few weeks. It may be psychosomatic but I do think I've seen a marked improvement in my digestive system and perhaps even my immune system.

This got me thinking about other natural, counter-intuitive approaches to improving the ability of my body to perform. Bee pollen may be the thing that gives me some protection.

Finally, I don't want anyone to minimize the risk of taking bee pollen. When I married my wife in San Antonio my best man had to drive from Houston to make it to the wedding. For what ever reason he decided that before he started this four hour road trip he'd take some bee pollen -- I suppose thinking that the protective effects were immediate. This was not a good idea. About an hour outside of Houston he glance at himself in his review mirror only to see a face he didn't recognize. His face had swollen and he was in the first stages of anaphylactic shock. Fortunately he knew he was in trouble and he pulled in to the first hospital he could find. The wedding the following day was a success.

Although that is definitely an interesting story, I strongly discourage recommending this as a "cure" until a proper scientific study has been done. Helping one person hardly qualifies this as a cure. In addition, there could easily be other factors involved that were not accounted for. Though something worth further investigation nonetheless.

Let me suggest something that people might feel more comfortable with. Just eat honey from local sources. My father, a physician and drug chemistry expert, started doing this after a recent move exposed him to new types of pollen his body wasn't accustomed to. Yes, it's more indirect, but also safer.

Terra Verde: that comment makes as much sense as "support the loss of calves" because we're harvesting cow milk.

We're harvesting pollen gathered by domesticated bees that we breed, not from wild ones.

I skimmed through this, but doesn't eating local honey help too? I've always had allergies, but this is my first summer since we got out own house, and we've been spending a lot of time working in the yard, and my allergies have been SOOO bad!

this makes some sense. The bee pollen could be causing t-cell anergy. promoting t-cell anergy is a proven technique for dealing with allergies but not in this manner. Sounds like it might be worth a try. But I'm no expert talk to your doctor first.

Wow - great 'buzz' going on here. I so happy to hear that many of you have also had success with local bee pollen or honey for allergies.
But I also agree with some of you that perhaps I shouldn't have called it a "cure", rather a "natural remedy" that has worked for many. And while I wouldn't expect anyone to take straight up medical advice from me, I can offer some insight into natural remedies that I've tried since I was young. Medicine for me has always been about finding natural cures or remedies to alleviate symptoms or dissuade your body from reacting in a negative way. Bee pollen is one of those.
Enjoy spring and be well.

Yes - this works for many people, but local pollen is the key.

If you can't find a reliable source of local bee pollen, you can do-it-yourself. I know a woman who did, just for her allergies.

Put beekeeping into Google and you will find a long list of information and sources about keeping your own hive of honeybees. Beekeeping as a hobby is alive and well both in rural areas and in cities. Bees travel long distances in their daily work, so you don't need to live in a field of clover. They will find what they need.

It might seem extreme, but if you've ever suffered from allergies, you might want to consider it. And - you'll get honey, too.

Local honey may have worked for some but not for me. I have used local honey for several years and I don't think it has helped me significantly. I still take it because it tastes fine, doesn't cause any harm and I can afford it