Birch pollen honey for birch pollen XXXX --a randomized controlled pilot study.

@entity1 @entity566 @entity56 @entity2023
BACKGROUND: Only a few randomized controlled trials have been carried out to evaluate various complementary treatments for @entity56 . This study assessed the effects of the preseasonal use of @entity2023 ( @entity2023 ; birch pollen added to honey) or regular honey (RH) on symptoms and medication during birch pollen season. METHODS: Forty-four @entity1 (59% female, mean age 33 years) with physician-diagnosed birch pollen @entity566 consumed either @entity2023 or RH daily in incremental amounts from November 2008 to March 2009. Seventeen @entity1 (53% female, mean age 36 years) on their usual @entity566 medication served as the control group. From April to May, @entity1 recorded daily rhinoconjunctival and other symptoms and their use of medication. Fifty @entity1 completed the study. RESULTS: During birch pollen season in 2009, @entity2023 @entity1 reported a 60% lower total symptom score (p < 0.01), twice as many asymptomatic days (p < 0.01), and 70% fewer days with severe symptoms (p < 0.001), and they used 50% less antihistamines (p < 0.001) compared to the control group. The differences between the @entity2023 and RH groups were not significant. However, the @entity2023 @entity1 used less antihistamines than did the RH @entity1 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: @entity1 who preseasonally used @entity2023 had significantly better control of their symptoms than did those on conventional medication only, and they had marginally better control compared to those on RH. The results should be regarded as preliminary, but they indicate that @entity2023 could serve as a complementary therapy for birch pollen @entity566 .
