Jim Fischer makes good points concerning the ability (or lack thereof) of pollen in honey to alleviate the symptoms arising from allergic reactions to windblown pollens. I also agree with Jim that there may be more to this story than is immediately evident. I have no medical training, and my knowledge of biology is limited to the standard stuff taught in biology 101. With that out of the way, I have a daughter who was (is?) allergic to just about everyone of the more than 100 substances that she was tested for AND a good customer who is an allergist. My understanding is: 1. A person is never 'cured' of an allergy. However, various treatments may result in that person no longer displaying allergic symptoms such as eyes watering, runny nose, hives, headaches, etc. Relief from the symptoms would make the typical person very happy. Otherwise, they don't really care if they are medically allergic. 2. When one is told that they are allergic to ragweed pollen (or any other pollen), this is just shorthand for saying "by testing, we have found that you are allergic to ragweed pollen. 'However, ragweed pollen contains several ingredients that are also found in other pollens, so you are highly likely to also be allergic to ingredients in other pollens that are not found in ragweed. 'While it is impractical for us to test you for reactions to all pollens or to find out just which pollen ingredients are producing the allergy, we can relieve your symptoms in a variety of ways." The prescription drug way of relieving those symptoms is through use of histamines. Histamines are more (over-the-counter type) or less (prescription only) generalized. They will relieve the symptoms (and all have some side effects) but not prevent the production of allergens which, in turn, produce the symptoms. The only way to reduce the production of allergens ("cure") is through gradual exposure to the underlying ingredients so that the immune system no longer recognizes them as 'foreign'. An allergist who is a customer tells me that consuming pollen in honey MAY mean that persons initially allergic to windborne pollens become immune. Whether they no longer show allergic symptoms will depend on how much pollen they consume as well as the ingredients of the pollen in the honey. He buys my honey for his wife who is so allergic that unless her symptoms are relieved she may as well just stay in bed for 3-4 weeks every August! He and his wife moved to this area from California (where she had the same problem and used the same 'treatment') about 5 years ago. The first year she suffered but by the second she had become acclimated to the local pollens and since has not had any difficulties. I have sent a blind copy of this message to my customer, and invited him to add comments or correct my feeble way of explaining what is a complicated subject. I hope I have helped beekeepers understand just 'why' consumption of local honey seems to help so much. Lloyd Lloyd Spear, Owner of Ross Rounds, manufacturer of comb honey equipment for beekeepers and Sundance pollen traps. http://www.rossrounds.com [log in to unmask]