Honey Antifungal Properties: What Researchers Have Tested
Honey antifungal properties are less famous than honey's antibacterial reputation, but researchers have studied them for years. Most studies test honey against yeasts such as Candida in lab dishes, and some report that honey slows their growth at certain strengths. This article explains what those studies found, why honey might affect fungi, what the research cannot tell us and why anyone with a fungal infection should see a health professional rather than reach for the honey jar.
For general education only, not medical advice. Our honey is a food and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
What honey antifungal properties means
Fungi include yeasts and molds. Candida is a yeast that lives on skin and in the body and can sometimes cause infections. Researchers test whether honey slows or stops fungal growth in lab conditions.
Results are usually reported as the lowest honey concentration that stops growth. Higher numbers mean more honey was needed.
Key studies on honey antifungal properties
A 2010 study, Effect of Ethiopian multiflora honey on fluconazole-resistant Candida species, tested honey against yeasts collected from patients. It found the honey inhibited both susceptible and resistant Candida isolates at about 35 to 40 percent honey in the test medium.
The UMF Honey Association's research database summarizes another study under the title Honey has an antifungal effect against Candida species. Other studies from Turkey, Iran and elsewhere have reported similar lab findings with local honeys.
- Most studies use lab dishes, not people.
- Effects usually appear at high honey concentrations.
- Results differ between honey types and fungal strains.
- Active compounds have not been fully identified.
Why honey might affect fungi
The same features that make honey hostile to bacteria may affect fungi. High sugar and low water draw moisture from cells. Acidity creates a harsh environment. Hydrogen peroxide and plant compounds add further effects.
Yet many yeasts tolerate sugar well, which is why some can ferment honey that has too much water, as our article on fermented honey explains. That shows honey's antifungal effect depends heavily on concentration.
| Honey factor | Possible effect on fungi |
|---|---|
| High sugar, low water | Dehydrates fungal cells |
| Low pH | Slows growth |
| Hydrogen peroxide | Direct effect at some strengths |
| Phenolic compounds | May add activity |
Honey antifungal properties and sugar-loving yeasts
Here is an interesting twist. Diluted honey can actually feed some yeasts, which is how mead is made. Only at high concentrations does honey tend to slow fungal growth. That makes it very hard to translate lab results into anything practical.
It is one more reason why lab findings on honey antifungal properties should not be turned into home remedies.
What the research does not show
There is no strong human evidence that eating honey or applying kitchen honey treats yeast or fungal infections. Some people also follow anti-Candida diets that avoid sugars, including honey, though the evidence for those diets is debated.
If you think you have a fungal infection of the skin, nails, mouth or genitals, see a doctor or pharmacist. Effective, tested treatments are available.
Honey on skin: a caution
Kitchen honey is not sterile and can contain spores and pollen. Applying it to broken or infected skin is not recommended. People with pollen or bee product allergies may react to raw honey on skin.
Honey skincare products sold for cosmetic use are a different category. Our article on honey benefits for skin looks at cosmetic research.
How to read antifungal claims online
Online posts sometimes present honey as a natural cure for thrush, athlete's foot or nail fungus. The research does not support those claims. Look for whether a claim cites human trials, and be wary of anyone selling a cure.
Our article on honey antibacterial properties explains similar caution for bacteria.
Honey's place in a balanced kitchen
Honey is a delicious food, best enjoyed in sensible amounts. The American Heart Association counts it as an added sugar, so a spoonful in tea or on oatmeal is plenty.
Our how much honey per day guide gives practical portions.
Honey antifungal properties in food preservation
There is one practical place where honey's effect on fungi shows up: food keeping. Ripe honey in a sealed jar rarely grows mold because its low water and acidity make life hard for most fungi.
That is why honey has been used for centuries to help preserve fruit and other foods. Our article on honey as a preservative explores this in the kitchen. It is a food science point, not a medical one.
Raw honey for flavor
Al Safa honeys are raw food honeys, strained only of wax and never heated above hive temperature, made for eating rather than treating.
Explore them in our shop.
Sources
Outside health sources we used for this article. They open in a new tab.
- Effect of Ethiopian multiflora honey on fluconazole-resistant Candida species isolated from the oral cavity of AIDS patients · PubMed
- Honey has an antifungal effect against Candida species · UMF Honey Association
- Honey as Nutrient and Functional Food · Bee Product Science (Stefan Bogdanov)
- How much sugar is too much? · American Heart Association
Frequently asked questions
- Does honey have antifungal properties?
- Lab studies have found honey can slow the growth of some fungi, especially at high concentrations. This has not been shown to work as a treatment in people.
- Can honey treat a yeast infection?
- No. See a doctor or pharmacist for a suspected yeast infection. Proven treatments are available.
- Which honey has the strongest antifungal effect?
- Results vary by honey and fungus. No honey is established as an antifungal treatment.
- Why can yeasts ferment honey if honey is antifungal?
- Honey's effect depends on concentration. Diluted honey can feed sugar-tolerant yeasts, which is how mead is made.
- Should I put honey on athlete's foot?
- No. Kitchen honey is not sterile and is not a proven treatment. Use a pharmacy product and ask a pharmacist for advice.
- Is honey safe to eat if I have a fungal infection?
- For most adults, honey is a normal food. Ask your doctor if you have been advised to limit sugars.
- Why doesn't honey grow mold?
- Ripe honey has too little free water and too much acidity for most molds. Honey that absorbs moisture can ferment, though.
- Do honey antifungal properties differ between dark and light honey?
- Some lab studies suggest darker honeys with more phenolic compounds show more activity, but results vary and there is no rule that applies to every honey or fungus.
Al Safa Honey is a food producer, not a medical provider. Nothing here is medical advice, and these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Talk to your doctor about any health concern. Never give honey of any kind to a baby under 12 months old.