As we all know, allergy season is all over us! I have heard of more people with allergy problems this Spring than ever before. I, unfortunately, am one of those sufferers. It seems like my nose has been stopped up since March first and over the last month I have had the addition of sneezing (which leads to more stopping up), eyes itching and burning, puffy feeling face, jaw pain... the list goes on. Pitiful and awful. I found myself taking Claritin D or 24 hour allergy meds over the counter along with using nose spray at night just to be able to breathe somewhat and get some sleep. I absolutely hate breathing through my mouth when I sleep so that's when I would use the spray. UGH! I felt I needed a different approach and at this point will try anything... except a NetiPot... I'm not too sure about that one yet although I have heard great results from several people.
I had heard about the positive affects of local honey for sinus problems and allergies and decided to call my neighbor who raises bees to get a jar because you just can't get more local than two doors down. The honey she brought me was actually gathered from hives in Goodlettsville. I read online that the honey can come from within 30 miles of home and still work. So last Tuesday I got my honey delivery and immediately ate a teaspoon... ok a tablespoon. I have to admit that to me this honey is quite addictive. I feel like I dang near overdosed the first couple of days using it in hot teas, granola, on bananas and by spoonfuls. I calmed down by Friday.. kind of.
My confession in experimenting with honey to combat my allergies is this... my allergies have cleared up about 95 percent. And we are still in the middle of spring meaning everything is still blooming. I am amazed. I haven't used any medicine or nose spray since last Tuesday when I began using it. It works like getting a flu vaccine. It puts the pollen sweetly into your system so your body can fight it off internally and your sinuses won't react like wild fire when it hits your nose. I am so happy about it, it's insane. I also got a jar for my Mom who has also had horrible allergies this year. She is experiencing similar results although still having some reactions to airborne pollens. But.. I have been eating the honey longer than she has too.
The honey we are using is Wildflower Honey, which would be a mix of all kinds of pollen. The other kind that she had was Clover Honey which is not used for these types of allergies. I did get a jar of that too... just in case I wanted to drizzle it over cut up raw hot dogs on Townhouse crackers like I did when I was a kid.... unwanted confession... I know. If you are in my area and can't find local honey, give me a holler and I will call my neighbor to locate a jar for you. Her prices are good... $16.00 for a quart jar, $10.00 per pint.
If you are suffering anywhere near like I was I urge you to give it a try. Honey is not recommended for children under two years old.
QUEENIE UPDATE: We still have not found our rescue dog although she is still within a mile or two of our house, as the crow flies. She was spotted late Monday night on New Hall Road behind a house hanging out with other dogs. We tried to find her with flashlights and went back Tuesday afternoon. Thanks for your prayers and thoughts on finding Miss Queenie. We're trying to find you sweet thing!
