enzymes – Number Eighteen

For many people, hay fever (seasonal allergic rhinitis) is an annual struggle. Runny noses, itchy eyes, and constant sneezing can make the warmer months feel unbearable. While antihistamines and nasal sprays are common treatments, many people turn to natural remedies—one of the most popular being honey. But can honey really help with hay fever symptoms?

The Theory Behind Honey and Hay Fever

The idea that honey can relieve hay fever is based on the concept of immunotherapy—a process where gradual exposure to an allergen helps the body build tolerance over time. Honey contains small amounts of pollen collected by bees, with each different honey containing different amounts of pollen pertaining to the particular plants flowering at that time in the local area, so some believe that consuming local honey regularly could help desensitise the immune system to higher amounts of airborne pollen in the air in that same local area.

What Does the Science Say?

Research on honey’s effectiveness in treating hay fever is limited, but a few studies suggest potential benefits:

A 2010 study published in the journal International Archives of Allergy and Immunology found that participants who consumed honey with pollen in it for eight weeks experienced some improvement in hay fever symptoms and consumed less antihistamines compared to those who did not.
Another study from 2002 showed that consuming honey with high pollen content led to better symptom relief compared to conventional honey.

However, some researchers argue that the pollen levels in honey are too low to trigger a meaningful immune response, and that any benefits may come from honey’s general anti-inflammatory properties rather than pollen exposure.

Other Ways Honey Can Help

The science is tantalising, but even if honey doesn’t work as a direct hay fever treatment, it still offers benefits that can help alleviate symptoms:

Soothing a Sore Throat: Honey’s natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties can help ease irritation.
Acting as a Natural Cough Suppressant: If hay fever makes you cough, honey can coat the throat and provide relief.
Boosting the Immune System: Raw honey contains antioxidants and bioactive compounds that may help strengthen your immune system and reduce inflammation.

How to Take Honey for Hay Fever

If you’d like to try honey as a hay fever remedy, here are some tips:

Choose Local, Raw Honey: The theory is that local honey contains traces of the same pollen that triggers your allergies, so sourcing honey from your region may be more beneficial than honey from a distant region. Supermarket honey is ultra-filtered and the majority is sourced from the other side of the planet (and is probably tainted with sugar syrup), so is unlikely to be helpful. Find a local beekeeper and buy it from them for the best chance!
Start Early: Begin consuming honey a few months before hay fever season to give your immune system time to adjust.
Take Daily: A teaspoon or two per day—whether eaten straight, stirred into tea (not too hot, as this will destroy the enzymes and pollen grains), or drizzled over food—may help with symptom management.

The Verdict

While honey isn’t a guaranteed cure for hay fever, it does have potential benefits that may help alleviate symptoms. Some people swear by it, while others notice little to no effect. At Number Eighteen we have a client who has horses who suffer from hay fever and she buys it for them! Since honey is a delicious and natural food with plenty of health benefits, it’s certainly worth a try!

If you’ve ever been told to avoid using a metal spoon when scooping honey because it supposedly kills the active enzymes making it less healthy, you’re not alone! This belief has circulated for years, leading many to opt for wooden or plastic honey drizzlers instead. But is there any truth to the claim? Let’s separate fact from fiction.

The Origins of the Myth

The myth likely stems from the fact that honey is naturally acidic, with a pH ranging from 3.2 to 4.5. Certain metals, especially reactive ones like iron or copper, can corrode over time when exposed to acidic substances, potentially affecting the taste and purity of the honey. However, this does not mean that simply dipping a stainless steel spoon into honey will damage its beneficial properties.

The Science Behind It

Honey contains various beneficial enzymes, such as diastase, invertase, and glucose oxidase. These enzymes help break down sugars and contribute to honey’s antibacterial properties. However, they are only affected by extreme heat (above 40°C) or prolonged exposure to moisture—not brief contact with metal.
Stainless steel, which is commonly used in kitchen utensils, is non-reactive and does not chemically alter honey’s composition. The idea that a quick dip with a metal spoon destroys enzymes is simply unfounded.

What Actually Affects Honey’s Enzymes?

If you want to preserve the beneficial enzymes in honey, here are the real factors to watch out for:

Heat: Heating honey above 40°C can break down its enzymes, reducing its health benefits.
Moisture: Honey is naturally low in water content, which helps prevent bacterial growth. Introducing moisture (e.g., leaving the lid off in a humid environment) can lead to fermentation.
Prolonged Metal Contact: While a brief touch with a metal spoon won’t harm honey, storing it in a reactive metal container (such as copper or iron) for long periods could affect its quality.

The Verdict: Metal Spoons Are Safe

When commercial honey operations store and transport honey, they do so in large metal drums!
Using a metal spoon is completely safe and will not harm its natural enzymes or properties. If you prefer the aesthetic and traditional feel of a wooden honey drizzler, go for it—but don’t worry about using a standard stainless steel spoon when enjoying your honey.

Go Crazy With the Spoons!

Honey is a resilient, antibacterial natural sweetener, and while it’s important to store it properly, there’s no need to worry about using metal utensils. Next time someone warns you about metal spoons “killing” honey’s enzymes, you’ll have the facts to set the record straight!

Tag: enzymes

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