If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you might consider that the great outdoors aren’t the only thing causing that stuffy nose. According to integrative medicine, diet can effectively reduce your seasonal allergies. Certain foods can trigger symptoms, so while it’s critical to figure out if you have any dietary triggers, adding bee pollen can help.

Bee pollen reduces histamines. An allergy is essentially the body’s immune response to an allergen. This response creates antibodies that signal cell receptors to release histamines, and reactionary symptoms occur.

Photo by Kristine Mahan

Bee pollen is surprisingly high in protein, antioxidants and vitamins like B12. And no, it’s not the same kind of pollen you think you’re allergic to. Buy it locally when possible, use the granules to top off things like smoothies, yogurt or chia seed pudding.

As someone who used to suffer from seasonal allergies, I can attest to it working. After changing my diet over the last two years to get rid of triggers and adding bee pollen, I can enjoy the great outdoors all year long without popping a single antihistamine pill.

Photo by Kristine Mahan