Spring is just around the corner! Yeah - more daylight hours, flowers blooming and birds singing. More time to spend in the garden and playing outside with the kids. But for hay fever sufferers spring can be a dreaded time! Sneezing, watery eyes, itchy throat, coughing, itchy nose, blocked/runny nose. During this time many people stock up on tissues and run to the chemist to grab antihistamine, sometimes even antihistamine isn't enough. It's no fun at all!
In spring hay fever can be triggered by tree and grass pollen. There are two types of flower pollen. One is very light and is easily airborne, this light pollen causes allergies. The second pollen is heavier, it is collected by bees and made into bee pollen.
Did you know that research indicates that if you take small amounts of bee pollen from your local area a few months before the hay fever season your body may become desensitised to the airborne pollens. It works like a vaccination does against childhood diseases. Desensitisation is based on the idea that the taking of the bee pollen will cause the body to produce antibodies that will cancel out the effects of the air-born pollen when the person is exposed to it again. See below this blog for more details on research in the area.
Some of our customers have commented that their allergies have lessened when either taking Sweetree Bee Pollen or Honey. Our honey is not finely filtered and therefore retain a high pollen count. So to help with your hay fever symptoms try either taking bee pollen every day or raw honey from your local area. Sweetree produces bee pollen in the Horsham Downs area and honey from Hamilton, Horsham Downs, Raglan, Ngaurwahia and Marokopa areas.
If you feel you need something more to protect you against allergies see a health professional. You may want to see your doctor, pharmacy, herbalist, Chinese medicine therapist, Naturopath, etc. Personally I love to visit the friendly team down at the Herbal Shop and Clinic (cnr Ohaupo Road & Lorne St in Hamilton). Check links below for some herbalists / health shops in your area. They will give you a brew specific for your needs! I love this holistic approach to nourishing, healing and protecting your body.
Breath easy this spring!
The Herb Shop & Clinic, Hamilton
Purchase Sweetree Bee Pollen or Honey
