Ask An Expert

Does Bee Pollen Help Allergies?

Question:

Does bee pollen help reduce allergies?

Answer:

There are two reasons that bee pollen would not be expected to help with allergies:

The type of pollen that bees carry is not the kind of pollen that causes allergy. It's the wind-transported pollen that causes symptoms. Bee pollen is physically too big to be recognized as an allergen by the body.

When the bee-pollen is eaten, its proteins are destroyed by the digestive enzymes. That is why we have to give pollen allergy shots and not pollen pills when we are treating allergy to pollen.

There are lots of good medicines (both prescription and over-the-counter) for allergies but bee pollen is probably not one of them.

Related Questions

Question

Seasonal Rash and Allergies?
I have a seasonal reoccurring rash. Can this be related to allergies?
Neti Pot for Allergies
A friend uses a neti pot and swears that it has reduced her allergies (sinus congestion and headaches) by 75 percent or more. How does the neti pot work and is it safe?
Allergies Plus Shortness of Breath?
I struggle with seasonal allergies and take Claritin, plus use a neti pot. This season, I have also had shortness of breath and light coughing, but no wheezing. It's hard to do my usual workouts. Is there some kind of inhaler I can use?
The Difference Between Spring and Fall Allergies
What are the differences between spring and fall allergies in Northern California? Are there different triggers?
Nosebleed Causes and Prevention
My 7-year-old son gets nosebleeds often. What causes them and can they be prevented?