Does honey kill viruses?

Some lab studies found honey reduced virus activity in cell cultures. There is no proof that eating honey kills viruses in the body.

Which honey is used in antiviral studies?

Manuka and clover honey appear often, along with propolis and other bee products.

Can honey treat the flu?

No. Honey is not a flu treatment. See a health professional about flu symptoms, especially if you are at higher risk.

Is honey antiviral research reliable?

The lab studies are real, but they are early stage. Human trials are very limited.

Is honey safe for children with colds?

Honey is safe for children over 12 months. Never give honey to babies under 12 months.

Does raw honey work better than processed honey?

Studies have not shown that for viruses. Raw honey keeps more of its natural compounds, but it is still a food.

Is manuka honey better for viruses than other honey?

Some lab studies used manuka honey, but there is no human evidence that any honey treats viral infections.

Honey Antiviral Research: What Lab Studies Show and What They Don't

Honey antiviral research has grown over the past decade, and headlines sometimes make it sound more settled than it is. Scientists have tested honey and bee products against several viruses in lab dishes, with some interesting results. But lab activity is a long way from a treatment, and very few studies involve people. This article walks through honey antiviral research in plain language: what was tested, what was found, what the limits are and how to think about it sensibly. For colds specifically, see honey for colds.

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 antiviral research involves

In a typical lab study, researchers grow cells in a dish, expose them to a virus and add honey at different strengths. They then measure whether fewer cells are infected or whether the virus multiplies less.

These experiments are useful for understanding mechanisms, but the conditions are artificial. Honey concentrations in a dish may be far higher than anything reaching cells in the body after eating.

Key findings from the 2022 review

The review General Nutritional Profile of Bee Products and Their Potential Antiviral Properties against Mammalian Viruses, published in Nutrients, gathered many studies on honey, propolis and other bee products.

Clover and manuka honeys showed activity against varicella-zoster virus in lab tests.
Honey reduced respiratory syncytial virus replication in one cell study.
Manuka honey showed activity against influenza in vitro.
Some studies found honey and propolis together had a stronger effect in lab tests.
The review said the exact mechanisms are largely unknown and that many clinical trials are needed.

Which honey compounds may be involved

Researchers have suggested several possible contributors. Sugars and low water may affect virus particles. Methylglyoxal in manuka honey may play a role. Flavonoids such as quercetin, chrysin and kaempferol have been proposed to interfere with virus entry or replication in lab models.

Our articles on quercetin in honey and methylglyoxal in honey explain these compounds. In every case, the amounts in honey are small and their effects in people are not established.

Honey antiviral research and cold sores

One area with a little human research is cold sores, which are caused by herpes simplex virus. A few small studies have tested topical honey or honey products on lip lesions. Results are interesting but limited, and medical treatments exist.

Our article on honey for cold sores reviews this carefully. Anyone with frequent or severe cold sores should talk to a doctor or pharmacist.

Why lab results are not treatments

Many substances that stop viruses in a dish fail in people. Doses, absorption, digestion and safety all change the picture. That is why antiviral medicines go through years of clinical trials.

Honey antiviral research has not reached that stage. It is early science, valuable for learning but not a basis for treating any infection.

Type of study	What it can show	Limits
Cell culture	Possible mechanisms	Not the human body
Animal study	Effects in a living system	Not always relevant to people
Small human study	Early safety and signals	Too small for firm conclusions
Large clinical trial	Real-world effect	Not yet done for honey and most viruses

Safety reminders

Honey should never be given to babies under 12 months because of the risk of infant botulism, as the CDC explains. The Nutrients review also notes that some unusual honeys, such as mad honey from certain rhododendrons, can be toxic.

If you are ill, especially with a high fever, trouble breathing or symptoms that worsen, contact a health professional.

Where honey does fit

Honey is a comforting part of warm drinks when you feel under the weather, and some research supports honey for children's coughs, as our article on honey for cough explains. Comfort is a fine reason to enjoy it, as long as it does not replace proper care.

A warm mug of lemon and honey is a classic. Our honey lemon ginger tea guide shows how to make it.

Reading future headlines

As honey antiviral research continues, you will likely see more headlines. Ask three questions each time: was it in a dish or in people, which honey and how much, and was it compared with standard care? Those answers tell you how much weight to give it.

Honey antiviral research and propolis

Propolis, the resin bees use to seal their hive, appears often in honey antiviral research. It is much richer in flavonoids than honey, and several lab studies test the two together. The Nutrients review notes that honey combined with propolis showed a stronger effect against influenza in one lab study.

Propolis is a separate product with its own allergy risks. Our article on honey and propolis explains how they differ.

A jar for everyday comfort

Al Safa honeys are raw food honeys, never heated above hive temperature, made for tea, toast and cooking.

Find a favorite in our shop.

Sources

Outside health sources we used for this article. They open in a new tab.

General Nutritional Profile of Bee Products and Their Potential Antiviral Properties against Mammalian Viruses · Nutrients (MDPI)
Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit (infants and toddlers) · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Honey (drugs and supplements) · Mayo Clinic

Frequently asked questions

Does honey kill viruses?: Some lab studies found honey reduced virus activity in cell cultures. There is no proof that eating honey kills viruses in the body.
Which honey is used in antiviral studies?: Manuka and clover honey appear often, along with propolis and other bee products.
Can honey treat the flu?: No. Honey is not a flu treatment. See a health professional about flu symptoms, especially if you are at higher risk.
Is honey antiviral research reliable?: The lab studies are real, but they are early stage. Human trials are very limited.
Is honey safe for children with colds?: Honey is safe for children over 12 months. Never give honey to babies under 12 months.
Does raw honey work better than processed honey?: Studies have not shown that for viruses. Raw honey keeps more of its natural compounds, but it is still a food.
Is manuka honey better for viruses than other honey?: Some lab studies used manuka honey, but there is no human evidence that any honey treats viral infections.

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.