While living back in the Northeast, winters always meant at least 1 good cold for me. I hated them, even though I managed to be rid of them within 3 days (because I took nothing to suppress the cold but let it run it's course). Fortunately, I have only gotten the flu once or twice in my whole life (without flu shots which is why I refuse to get them). However, since moving to Arizona, I have developed allergies, something new and unheard of for me. My first winter here they knocked me on my butt.
I have since learned how to keep those allergy symptoms down to a bearable level. One of the tricks in my arsenal has been to locate and use local honey. That is honey produced by local beekeepers. What a difference that has mad in my life!
My favorite herb shop, Chakra4, here in Phoenix just put this wonderful information in their newsletter that I'd like to share with everyone. While it pertains to Arizona, naturally, the premise applies everywhere. No matter where you live, look for pure/raw honey from local beekeepers. I hope you enjoy reading this, and find yourself having an easier cold/flu/allergy season this year thanks to the wonders of mother nature.
"Honey is one of the most widely recognized, but underutilized, gifts from nature. It has a very long history of medicinal use and contains a multitude of nutritionally powerful compounds.
When the honey bee indulges in the nectar of flowers, the nectar interacts with the bee’s own body chemistry. This creates new and improved compounds that our bodies are able to recognize and use.
In fact, researchers have found honey to be so powerful that pharmaceutical grade honeys are used widely in hospitals in the UK. Of course those products are sold at price levels akin to gouging. Even the USFDA has indicated pharmaceutical grade honey for medical use, although it is rarely used in this country by the conventional medical community.
In addition to being a potent antibiotic against all known forms of bacteria that infect skin and wounds, here are just a few of honey’s super sweet super powers:
Antiallergenic
Antianemic
Anticarcinogenic
Antifungal
Anti-inflammatory
Antiviral
Expectorant
Immune stimulant
Laxative
Tonic – helps to tone tissues
Traditional Uses Of Honey"
http://chakra4online.com/herbs-for-coughing/arizona-honey-the-busy-bee-superfood