Natural ingredients to support the immune system and promote overall health have always stayed in the global spotlight, but they have gained much more traction after the recent pandemic. A natural ingredient that people have been using in medicine for centuries is honey.

Honey is a delicious, natural sweetener rich in essential antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that boost the immune system and protect against illness and disease. Here, we will discuss the benefits and role of honey-based products in immunity in detail.

Different Types of Honey-Based Products

The idiom 'as busy as bees' originated when people observed how tirelessly honey bees worked to gather nectar from different flowers and produce a diverse range of substances for their survival, including beeswax, propolis, and royal jelly. They use those products as food or raw materials for constructing and repairing hives,

Honey

Honeybees collect nectar from different plants and store it in their body's special stomach, called the crop. The enzymes in the bees' stomachs then break down the complex sugars in the nectar, and the digested nectar is regurgitated into the honeycomb.

The worker bees fan their wings to evaporate the excess water from the nectar until it thickens into honey. This sweet liquid, used as a food source by bees, contains many active components with nutritional value and medicinal properties, such as glucose, fructose, polyphenols, flavonoids, and organic acids.

Honeybee Propolis

Propolis, popular as bee glue, is a type of resinous substance produced by honeybees to seal and disinfect the interior of their hives.

The honeybees produce propolis by collecting resin from different trees and plants and mixing it with their saliva and beeswax. It typically consists of volatile oils, flavonoids, and other plant compounds, but the exact composition varies based on the type and location of plant sources.

Propolis has been used for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects since ancient times. You can find it in the form of various health products, such as topical creams, throat sprays, and lozenges.

Royal Jelly

Royal jelly is a white, viscous substance secreted from the special glands on the heads of worker bees. Also called 'superfood,' this substance is used by worker bees to feed their current queen bee and the larvae designated to become the future queen bee. The larvae designated to become worker bees are also fed royal jelly for the first few days and later a mix of pollen and honey.

Royalactin is the main compound in the royal jelly that allows larvae into the queen bee. The nutritional composition of royal jelly (the main reason queen bees live longer than other bees) has been used to combat several chronic health conditions. It has been attributed to anti-bacterial, anti-allergy, and anti-inflammatory effects.

Why Honey-Based Products Are Best for Immunity

Honey has been used for medicinal properties for thousands of years, and recent research has confirmed many of its health benefits.

Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Allergenic Response

Honey can act as a natural antihistamine. Histamine is a chemical released by the immune system in response to allergens. This chemical is responsible for many symptoms of allergies, such as itching, sneezing, and congestion.

Honey-based products, like propolis, contain small amounts of pollen and other allergens, which can manage the histamine response to inflammation by helping the immune system become desensitized to these substances over time.

Antibacterial Properties

Honey-based products contain natural antimicrobial agents, like hydrogen peroxide and methylglyoxal, which help to fight off harmful bacteria and viruses in the body, preventing infections and illnesses and supporting overall immune function.

Energy-Boosting Properties

Honey is a natural energy source, providing the body with a steady supply of glucose. It is known to boost mental alertness, reduce fatigue, and improve physical performance - all of which can support overall immune function.

A Natural Antioxidant

Honey has a high content of antioxidants, which help mitigate the damage to your body caused by free radicals. These antioxidants help decrease inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which can weaken the immune system and contribute to chronic diseases.

Pollen Allergies in the UK

Pollen allergy, or hay fever, commonly affects millions worldwide. In the UK, the pollen allergy season typically starts in late March or early April and continues through to September, with the peak season occurring in May and June.

The UK has distinct seasons, with spring and summer being the prime seasons for pollen allergy. As temperatures begin to rise in spring, trees start to bloom, releasing pollen into the air. In summer, grasses and weeds also release large amounts of pollen. This can trigger allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to these allergens.

Moreover, the UK has a diverse landscape, including coastlines, mountains, and forests. This varied terrain provides a rich environment for many different types of plants and trees, each with its own pollen profiles. This means that people living in different regions of the UK may be exposed to different types of pollen, which can affect the onset and severity of their allergies.

The UK also has a temperate maritime climate, which means it receives mild winters and cool summers with moderate rainfall. This climate is ideal for the growth of many types of plants and trees, which can lead to high levels of pollen in the air during the spring and summer months.

Plant-Related Triggers in Honey-Based Products

Honey-based products can contain small amounts of pollen from various plants, and people allergic to these plants may experience adverse reactions after consuming honey. Common allergenic plants include ragweed, goldenrod, and various tree and grass pollens.

Propolis also contains allergenic compounds such as flavonoids and terpenes. Moreover, royal jelly may also contain various proteins and amino acids that can cause allergic reactions in some people. If you think you are allergic to honey or any of its compounds, talk to a healthcare provider before consuming honey-based products.

Whether consumed alone or combined with other immune-boosting ingredients like elderberry, honey can help strengthen your body's natural defenses and fight against illness and disease. If you frequently fall ill or feel extremely tired after a strenuous activity, try Honey-based supplements by Regina Healthcare. With ingredients like honey propolis, elderberry, and royal jelly, these supplements can play an important role in supporting your immune function and helping your body stand strong against adversity.