Stupid Allergies
I’m grumpy and allergic this morning.  Blech. Usually Py is the member of our household who suffers from allergies, but I started yesterday, and it’s yucky. I’ve taken everything I can take, got the windows sealed up, the air purifier on…as soon at it hits 70 degrees in here, I’m turning on the a/c. That usually helps, too.
So I was griping (so much for a complaint free world, huh?) about allergies to the admin at Maya’s school this morning, and she gave me a tip that her husband tried this year, and seems to help him. It’s too late to try it for us, but next year, I’m giving it a shot. What you do is find some local honey, and start eating a tsp or two a day maybe 6-8 weeks before allergy season. The pollen in the honey works to build up your immunities, and by the time the season starts, you don’t suffer as badly. Hey, I can think of worse ways to treat allergies…shots, anyone?Â
My grandma used to make me PB&Honey sandwiches when I was growing up. I forsee some in my future next year, too. ;) For those of you in colder climates, where spring hasn’t sprung yet, you may want to find your nearest Whole Foods or Farmers’ Market, and jump on the bandwagon. Let me know if it works for you.
(Song to suffer along to…allergies, by Paul Simon. There’s some wicked guitar work from Al Di Meola on this track as well. Check it out.)
16 Comments
Gina
I am lucky, lucky to not suffer from allergies. My sister and my dad do, and they are miserable half the time
ally bean
Love the cartoon. I’ve heard about local honey, too, but never tried it. You go first, okay?
hellomelissa
mmm… i love hot milk with honey stirred in.
CuriosityKiller
Hope you feel better soon. I’ve been on the allergy pill practically every day since I’ve moved overseas, now that spring is coming… oi vey.
I saw a documentary about honey — and that do be careful with local handlers (unless of course they’re professional and already know about this), they said bees are attracted to a type of insects that produces a toxin that is extremely dangerous for humans if consumed. Professional handlers should know how to take care of the problem. Just thought I’ll mention it since you said “local”.
Ml
J, I’m right there with you! Allergies are killing me (yes, I’m complaining 🙂 ) But I can’t eat straight honey either because it makes my throat itch. Oh well, I guess that’s how it goes. Hang in there 😉
Black Belt Mama
We’re in allergy hell out here despite the fact that it’s supposed to snow again this weekend. Claritin has been my best friend this year.
Maya's Granny
Are there any bees that make honey after pollinating cats?
Beenzzz
Allergies haven’t hit me yet, I’m a May sufferer. I will definitely try the honey idea though. I should probably get started now in order to build up those immunities! Sorry you’re having allergies. That blows!!!
Erielle
Wow, that’s so interesting about the honey. I don’t have allergies but I will recommend that to some friends. It snowed today, so I think there is still time left before allergy season here.
Chrissy
J, I actually do the honey trick. A year ago, the lady at the local health food store recommended I do it and I swear by it now!
BTW, I have nooooooo idea why, but your post just made me think of this really cool restaurant in Montreal called Cafe Santropol http://www.santropol.com/ . In my years of vegetarianism, I used to go there with my college crush, and we’d have the most mouthwatering sandwich called the Midnight Spread. It’s a spread of cream cheese, honey, peanut butter, nuts and raisins on crusty French bread…slathered with bananas and strawberries. Totally decadent… If you’re ever in Montreal, you should try it out!
Starshine
I was gonna leave a boring comment about how I’ve heard that local honey can help with allergies. . . .
Then I read your mother’s comment and I just need to publically acknowledge the genious of her wit!
I’m also amazed that she’s the owner of two indoor cats if she’s allergic to them…. I would never be able to do that!
J
Starshine, I laughed at that comment too. Poor cat. 🙂 My mom’s cat allergies are fairly mild…meaning that they bother her some, but not terribly. Personally, I don’t think I could live with a cat again, since I have mild allergies too, and I now know what life is like without. But her companions are more important to her than her sinuses, so that’s how it is. (Actually, she still has sinus problems when she’s away from the cats, so it’s not like she suffers just for them.)
Chrissy, that sandwich sounds yummy, and I’m so glad you commented, because I was HOPING someone would read this post who had tried the trick. Do you go out of your way for local honey? I’ve heard that that’s the only way it really works…
Chrissy
Hi J! There’s a guy on the island who sells local honey, so it’s not difficult for me to get my hands on some. At the health food store, they also carry some and I’ve also tried bee pollen, but I really couldn’t stand the taste of it. It was just too saccharine for me. I’ve hard that the benefits of bee pollen itself are actually stronger than local honey. Some of the bee pollen benefits have to do with the fact that bee pollen has high concentrations of the B vitamin complex, and also contains Vitamins A, C, D, and E. Bee pollen benefits also extend to the area of weight loss. Bee pollen has shown to have an ability to help in fat loss by rectifying a chemical imbalance that many people with weight problems tend to have.
Other weight control benefits of bee pollen include improving your metabolism (the rate at which your body burns fat); dissolving and flushing fat cells from your body due to the high percentage of lecithin contained in bee pollen; and it also helps to reduce your cravings for food.
Okay, back to local honey….
1. Honey is sedative, anti-fungal and nourishing
2. Soothes tissues and help retain calcium in the body
3. Antibacterial – great for both internal or external problems
4. Honey can boost the immune system
1. Mixture of equal quantities of honey and ginger juice is a good expectorant. It helps in colds, cough, sore throat and runny nose.
2. For asthma, mix half a gram of black pepper powder with honey and ginger juice mixture. Drink this mixture a few times a day.
3. Eating a little local honey will make you “immune’ to pollens in the area.
Sorry for the insanely long comment! LOL! I hope this proves even a little bit useful 😉
Lalunas
That is a very good tip, honey. Yeah, allergies are coming in strong at this time.
ann adams
I never had allergies until the last few years. We’re surrounded by blooming things here.
We’re all sniffling and sneezing and I don’t think we have colds. It’s the pollen.
Sophisticated Writer
Yup, I’m as allergic as they come.
Will go sneeze now.
And honey helps by the way 🙂