Itchy throat when I first consumed bee pollen?

by Lisa B.
(Mississauga)

I experienced an itchy throat the first time I took bee pollen. I waited a few days and tried it again because the first time I was fighting a cold but I experienced the same thing. Why is this? I tried it again but this time I mixed it in boiling water with lemon and honey and I didn't get the itchy sensation.

Angela's Response:

Hi Lisa,
Great question. The itchy throat you experienced was a small allergic reaction to the pollens. Do you have allergies at all in the spring/summer? It also could have been an over-reactive immune response due to the cold you had at the time. Your immune system would have been elevated at the time as it was fighting the virus/bacteria you had and simply reacted to the pollens as invaders. Your immune system had probably 'cooled down' a bit by the next time you took the pollen and that is why you didn't react. By adding the hot water, lemon and honey, you would have absorbed the pollens better I suspect too so that may play a role. The only way to know for sure is to try the pollen again dry and see if you get the itchy throat again.