if you have ALLERGIES read this. seriously.

For those of you who dread seeing those first spring blooms because of seasonal allergies, there may be some relief in sight local honey. Local honey is believed to prevent the symptoms of seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever. Drinking local honey may work much like an allergy shot in that it exposes you to small amounts of allergens to help your body build immunity to the allergens. When bees pollinate to make honey, they bring back allergens from the flowers, trees, and other plants. This leaves small traces of those allergens in their honey. Just like the doctor gives you small amounts of allergens when he or she gives you an allergy shot.

It is best to find raw honey that is as close to home as possible because it is far more likely to contain the same allergens that you are exposed to on a daily basis. You should also start drinking the honey in very small doses, just in case of an allergic reaction to the pollen that is in the raw honey. Gradually work your way up to about two teaspoons a day. This regimen should begin several months before the onset of allergy season. The honey should be raw, unpasteurized, and unheated for best results.

There are many other health benefits to drinking raw honey. It has been proven that raw honey has many antibiotic properties. For years, people have consumed it for nausea and gastritis. It is also known to prevent the formation of ulcers, and certain kinds of cancer. So, as you can see, trying raw local honey to treat your allergies certainly would not hurt, in fact, it could help you with a number of other ailments. The best part, there are virtually no side effects, unless you are allergic.

To find the most local honey, you may contact a local bee keeper or go to the next farmers market. Try to get the local honey that is closest to home. Immunizing yourself to allergens that you are never exposed to carries no benefits. It is also recommended that you don’t plant any plants that you know you are allergic to. To build immunity, you must be exposed in small doses. Large doses of allergens will only increase your likelihood of developing worse allergies to them. 

Here is a list of local beekeepers http://www.njbeekeepers.org/BeeProducts.htm !