I know nothing about raising bees but a lot about eating honey. I read an article in a medical report once that said they think eating local honey could help alleviate seasonal allergy symptoms. I asked my Pulmonary Specialist that treats my asthma and when I asked he got really quiet for a minute and finally said “I don’t see why it wouldn’t work but until a study is done I can’t say it will or won’t”. He said to keep eating the local honey. The theory is that the bees gather pollen from all of the local plants and flowers that typically trigger allergies. By eating the honey you are doing similar to what allergy shots do.
I would think that stomach acid might interfere but I’m not a scientist. Even without that health benefit local honey is always best.
Raw honey contains quercetin, a natural anti-inflammatory. (Hmmm, where have we heard of this compound before. . ?) Local raw honey contains propolis and bee pollen, which boosts the immune system and helps build immunity to allergens. And it is loaded with antimicrobials. Your doctor was not wrong.
We encourage consumption of local raw honey rather than the big-name honeys sold in chain grocery stores. Why? That honey is not only pasturized (cooked to death), it contains no pollen! Much is imported from Asia.
Besides that, local honey just tastes better.