Our Spring Saviour: Local Honey
Société Apothecary
\ \ Local Honey NH]( https://www.societeapothecary.com/s/search?q=honey ) Spring has sprung and with all those beautiful plants popping up we are left to deal with the pollen they bring with them and the awful allergies some have to bear through. How does local honey help with allergies? When a person eats local honey, they are thought to be ingesting local pollen. Over time, a person may become less sensitive to this pollen. As a result, they may experience fewer seasonal allergy symptoms. In addition to potentially fighting allergies, one of the great benefits of local honey is that it’s unprocessed and pure. The stuff you find in the grocery stores is often filtered, a process that removes the trace amounts of pollen it might contain. The purer the honey, the stronger its medicinal benefits, like potential anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Add it to your hot tea to soothe a sore throat, for instance. Because it has antimicrobial properties, it doesn’t just soothe your throat as it coats it; it can also kill certain bacteria. Local, raw honey is a natural antiseptic. As mentioned above, honey has antimicrobial properties. That’s what makes it great for treating wounds. Because many types of bacteria can’t survive in honey, it speeds up healing, diminishes swelling, and gives tissue the opportunity to grow back more quickly. Allergease honey Our allergease honey consists of local honey from Oak Hill Farm along with essential oils of: peppermint, lavender, and lemon. These three essential oils are a powerful all-natural antihistamine which work to cool inflammation caused by allergies. Essential oils have the ability to fight inflammation and boost the immune system. They can help detoxify the body and fight infections, bacteria, parasites, microorganisms and harmful toxins. They reduce the body's susceptibility to outside sources and reduce the over reaction to the immune system which is faced with a harmless intruder. Lavender: Calming, cleansing and anti-inflammatory. It can reduce swelling in the airways, relieve headaches and calm the nervous system. Lemon: Cleansing, immunity enhancer and anti-inflammatory. Incredibly helpful for asthmatics, especially when pollen hits the airways and causes inflammation. Citrus is known for its uplifting scent which can help with the fatigue which follows an allergic reaction. Being an immunity booster this will help build your immune system to fight off allergens. (remember lemon increases photosensitivity so apply appropriately when going into direct sun) Peppermint: Headache reliever, airway clearer. Helps boost energy. Inhaling can have immediate effects on scratchy throats and blocked sinuses. It is in expectorant which provides relief as it aids in ridding phlegm and reduces inflammation. Eucalyptus honey Eucalyptus Essential Oil opens up the sinus and lungs, therefore improving circulation, which reduces the symptoms of allergies. It works as an expectorant, but also has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. more than 40 million Americans suffer from seasonal reactions Three Honey Recipes to Try at Home Soothing Honey & Lemon Tea 1 cup of hot water 1 tablespoon of local honey Juice of half a lemon Optional: a slice of fresh ginger Boil water and pour it into your favorite mug. Stir in the local honey until fully dissolved. Add the lemon juice and stir again. If desired, add a slice of ginger for an extra kick. Enjoy warm to soothe your throat and boost your immune system. Honey & Oat Face Mask 2 tablespoons of local honey 1 tablespoon of finely ground oats 1 teaspoon of plain yogurt In a small bowl, mix the honey and ground oats until well combined. Add the yogurt and stir until a smooth paste forms. Apply the mixture evenly to your face, avoiding the eye area. Leave on for 15-20 minutes, then rinse off with warm water. Pat your skin dry and revel in its newly found softness. Honey-Infused Salad Dressing 3 tablespoons of olive oil 1 tablespoon of local honey 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar Salt and pepper to taste Optional: a pinch of dried herbs (such as thyme or oregano) In a small jar, combine the olive oil, honey, and apple cider vinegar. Add salt, pepper, and any herbs you want to include. Seal the jar tightly and shake vigorously until the ingredients are fully blended. Drizzle over your favorite salad and toss to coat the greens evenly. Store any leftover dressing in the fridge for up to a week. Always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before trying new remedies, especially if you have allergies or existing health conditions.