Life-Changing Allergy Relief Thanks to Local Honey vs Store-Bought

Does your heart melt as your child struggles with out-of-control allergies? If like me, you would love to make them disappear but you worry about the side effects of medications. Understanding the difference between using local honey vs store-bought honey for allergy control could be a life-changer for your family. It was for ours!

My youngest daughter’s allergies got so bad that her eyes would blow up. She missed more school days than I would like to admit. Missing school because of allergies is a REAL thing!

Your child may not get swollen eyes. Maybe she has a terrible cough, chest congestion or uncontrollable sneezing and watery eyes. If symptoms become constant, they can certainly distract from a day of concentrating and learning – and from a good night’s sleep.

Per a friends’ suggestion, we began incorporating local honey into as many meals and snacks as possible and we started to see an improvement. To this day I add local honey into many of our foods for the added health benefits. Plus, I love using local honey because we are supporting a small business run by a REAL family.

Small doses of local honey could help bring your child relief, too. But a word of caution. Using local honey vs store-bought honey does not reap the same benefits!

Differences in Local Honey vs Store-Bought Honey

Store-bought honey often comes from a blend of nectar sources from around the world whereas local honey is typically derived from a single type of flower nectar.

Producers of big-brand honey often filter impurities, which also, unfortunately, filters out the immune-boosting propolis made in part from bee pollen.

Store-bought brands may add sugar. Beware of honey with “ultrafiltration” because it ends up being a sweetener derived from honey, but no longer truly honey.

Also, big-brand honey may contain antibiotics, heavy metals or other contaminants.

On the other healthier front, local honey contains pollen from local plants. Similar to taking allergy shots, the idea is to regularly expose your body to trace amounts of the allergen in order to build an immunity to it. If your honey isn’t locally sourced, you aren’t likely building her immunity against the pollen in your area.

Local honey is typically less processed and unfiltered, allowing it to provide more health benefits.

Local honey typically does not contain contaminants.

Because it’s less altered, local honey vs store-bought honey is the way to go! I love this honey from Youngs Farm in Old Brookville, New York. Do you have a favorite local honey? Post it in the comments below and help a neighborhood mom out!

Health Benefits of Local Honey

Local, naturally produced honey serves as both an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.

As you give trace exposures of local honey to your child (or self) and build immunity to local pollen, you will naturally reduce inflammation in your body. This is ultimately how local honey helps relieve allergy symptoms. Less inflammation can mean less puffy eyes, less congestion in your ear, nose, throat or chest, less itchy or puffy skin – as a few examples.

With allergy relief, your child will sleep better, and with better sleep, your child’s immune system will also get a boost. Of course, her relief can result in better sleep for you, too!

Local honey offers other health benefits too. It can:

• Suppress a nagging cough
• Reduce blood sugar levels and help prevent excessive weight gain (NCBI)
• Heal certain wounds

Also, you may know that bees are endangered in many areas. So besides supporting your child’s health and small business by buying local honey, you’re also supporting your local bee population!

Add Local Honey to Your Family’s Favorites

As with many foods, consume honey in moderation. It’s still a form of sugar. Honey is still considered unsafe for babies under 1 year of age because it could cause severe symptoms. It is considered safe for nursing moms but always consult with your doctor first.

Next, find your favorite local honey at the health food store or nearby farm today. Remember these qualities are best but not necessary:

• Raw
• Unfiltered
• Local
• Organic or organically produced (most small farms don’t go to the expense of getting certified so just ask about their process)

Also, you’ll reap the most benefits when you keep your honey raw and unheated.

Try using small amounts of honey:

• In Smoothies or tea as a natural sweetener
• On top of sharp cheese
• In plain Greek yogurt
• In cereal

Stay tuned to my blog for a future post with my favorite recipes using local honey. For now, you can begin incorporating it into your favorite tea (hot or iced).

Now you know the massive health benefits of local honey vs store-bought honey and fresh ways to incorporate it into your foods. Start slow and see if local honey will help bring your child back to her vibrant self – allergy season or not!

If you want more ways to build a life you love – grab my free guide now – 7 days of healthy, intentional living for busy moms.