{"id":940013,"date":"2023-03-04T18:41:31","date_gmt":"2023-03-04T23:41:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theherbalacademy.com\/?p=940013"},"modified":"2026-03-16T14:24:34","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T18:24:34","slug":"spring-allergies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theherbalacademy.com\/blog\/spring-allergies\/","title":{"rendered":"Respiratory Support Honey for Spring Allergies"},"content":{"rendered":"

The following book excerpt is taken from <\/span><\/i>The Herbal Kitchen <\/span><\/i><\/a>by Kami McBride and used with permission.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re an herb nerd with spring allergies, you face a bit of a conundrum. While the Earth bursts with color and birdsong, you might feel the urge to run indoors instead of out. But as we head into spring allergy season, you can indeed turn to nature for guidance in the form of herbs and honey.<\/span><\/p>\n

This herbal honey for respiratory support is easy to make at home and will help you avoid the unwanted chemicals in many store-bought allergy-relief products. If you happen to live somewhere with wildfires, then you can also keep this honey on hand during wildfire season to help soothe the irritated throats and respiratory passageways that often come with smoke in the air.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"woman<\/p>\n

How Herbs and Honey Soothe Spring Allergies<\/span><\/h2>\n

Honey:<\/b> Honey is a time-honored ingredient for soothing sore throats and easing a cough (Sultana et al., 2016). Additionally, honey acts as an ambassador between local flora and the body. The theory is that honey introduces us to plants\u2019 pollen in a safer, more removed context than if we were to inhale pollen directly outdoors, thereby decreasing the body\u2019s immune response. Although scientific reviews show mixed evidence of this, people continue to report anecdotally that consuming local, raw honey eases spring allergies (M\u00fcnstedt & M\u00e4nnle, 2020).<\/span><\/p>\n

Fennel Seed:<\/b> One of fennel\u2019s traditional uses is as an antispasmodic to soothe coughs. The seed, specifically, has been used for this purpose in Italy, Turkey, and Pakistan (Jadid et al., 2023). But virtually every part of the plant has been used to ease coughs in various cultures.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"juniper<\/p>\n

Juniper Berry<\/b>: As I write in my book, <\/span>The Herbal Kitchen<\/span><\/i>, these distinctively-flavored berries (which are technically a small cone!), can help soothe a sore throat. In addition, many blue and purple foods contain flavonoids that stimulate antioxidant activity in the body, benefitting our overall health by helping to soothe inflammation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ginger:<\/b> Ginger can help ease coughs and sore throats, and a 2020 study found that ginger extract is as effective as a popular allergy medication for improving nasal symptoms of allergic rhinitis, such as pollen-induced spring allergies (without the drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness, and constipation) (Yamprasert et al., 2020). This culinary herb also has anti-inflammatory properties that help keep the body balanced (Azeez & Lunghar, 2021).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Horseradish:<\/b> If you\u2019ve ever felt horseradish\u2019s signature heat, which is especially stimulating to the head and sinuses, then you know how it can help get sinus fluids moving and clear congestion.<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\"pouring\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Respiratory Support Honey<\/h3>