While many online or anecdotal sources claim that bee pollen can help or eliminate allergies altogether, there is still no firm scientific evidence to support those claims.

When allergy season comes along, getting relief from sneezing, itchy eyes, and a runny nose may move to the top of your to-do list.

Although newer over-the-counter allergy relief medications don’t make you as drowsy as the older versions, some people still experience sleepiness from taking them.

If you’re looking for alternatives, a quick online search may turn up compelling claims about bee pollen, including personal testimonials about how bee pollen can cure your allergies once and for all.

But how accurate are these testimonies? This article takes a closer look at what we currently know about bee pollen and allergies.

Bee pollen has an impressive nutritional profile. It contains over 250 biologically active substances, including:

  • proteins
  • carbs
  • lipids
  • fatty acids
  • vitamins
  • minerals
  • enzymes
  • antioxidants

Research studies have linked bee pollen and its compounds to numerous health benefits, such as decreased inflammation, improved immunity, and wound healing.

However, there is still no firm scientific evidence that bee pollen can help or eliminate allergies altogether.

According to a 2017 study, some types of flavonoid components in bee pollen have anti-allergic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. But can these flavonoids relieve allergies in humans? No existing research has confirmed this connection.

A 2021 in vitro study found that bee pollen had an anti-allergy action. The study, which was performed in a test tube, found that bee pollen inhibited inflammatory responses after mast cell activation by allergens. But more research in animals needs to be conducted to confirm this finding.

Anecdotal reports suggest that the allergy-curing properties of bee pollen come with the use of pollen from local bees.

The thinking goes that since it comes from local plant species you’re allergic to, locally sourced pollen will protect your immune system from reacting to airborne allergen exposure from those same plants, perhaps by desensitizing you to it.

This theory remains unproven.

Is bee pollen safe?

For many people, bee pollen is safe to consume. But there are some risk factors to keep in mind:

Always talk with a doctor before taking any new herbal supplements or vitamins.

Bee pollen consists of the powdery substance that plants make to reproduce. Bees collect this on their legs and bodies and take it back to their hive as a food source. Bee pollen may also contain some flower nectar and bee digestive enzymes.

Once the bees return home with the pollen they collect, other bees cover it with a small amount of beeswax and honey. This is called bee bread, and it’s the main protein source for the bees in the colony.

Because the pollen grains are collected from many different types of plants, bee pollen varies in shape, color, and nutritional content. Although bees normally collect pollen from just one type of plant at a time, sometimes they will gather it from many different flowers.

Since it’s a natural product that is always different based on geographical location and flower type, it’s hard to know exactly what’s in the bee pollen you get.

Bee pollen is sold as natural granules, which you can measure out and take with a spoon. It generally has a bitter taste, but you can mix it into other foods like granola, yogurt, or smoothies.

Bee pollen is also available in capsules. You may also find it in tablet form combined with such things as royal jelly and flower pistil extract (the structure from which the bees collect the pollen).

Some people prefer to soak the granules in water for several hours before using them. They claim this makes bee pollen easier to digest.

Safety precautions

Because you may experience an allergic reaction to bee pollen, it’s best to start with a very small amount to make sure it’s safe for you. Anecdotal reports suggest testing it by placing a single granule under your tongue the first time you try it and then building up from there, one granule at a time.

If you experience any allergy symptoms, discontinue using it right away. If you have capsules or tablets, open the capsule and take a very small amount, or use a knife to cut off a bit of the tablet to test.

If you use capsules or granules, you’ll want to refrigerate or freeze the container. Raw bee pollen can get moldy if not properly stored. Check the label for the preferred storage method and expiration date, and follow instructions.

Many reputable large retailers, both brick-and-mortar and online, sell bee pollen. You can also find it at health food stores and herbal supplement shops.

If you have local apiaries near you, you may be able to get it there, and you’ll probably be able to find several boutique-type shops online that will ship it to you.

Of course, if you prefer to get bee pollen from local bees, you’ll want to look for a beekeeper nearby. However, it’s worth mentioning that even if you get local bee pollen, there’s no guarantee that it’s made from the specific plants you’re allergic to.

Advocates of bee pollen strongly recommend knowing where the pollen is sourced and who you’re buying from to avoid paying too much or ending up with inferior products.

Bee pollen offers positive nutritional benefits and is known to be helpful for certain conditions. However, no research confirms that bee pollen can relieve allergy symptoms.

Many people who regularly use bee pollen for allergies swear by it, but more research needs to be done to confirm their claims of its benefits.

If you still want to try it, be cautious and talk with a doctor first.