How Much Chrysin is in Honey? A Detailed Look at Flavonoid Content

November 1, 2025 •

4 min read

The content of chrysin in honey can vary dramatically, with research reporting concentrations as low as 0.10 mg/kg in honeydew honey to 5.3 mg/kg in forest honey. This wide range shows that answering the question, 'How much chrysin is in honey?' is not straightforward and depends heavily on several factors, including the type of honey and its botanical origin.

Quick Summary

The concentration of the flavonoid chrysin in honey is highly variable, influenced mainly by its floral origin. Levels are typically much lower than in propolis, another bee product, but still contribute to honey's overall nutritional profile.

Key Points

Chrysin levels are highly variable: The amount of chrysin in honey differs significantly based on its botanical origin, ranging from 0.10 mg/kg to 5.3 mg/kg depending on the honey type.
Source matters: Floral source is the primary determinant of chrysin concentration, with factors like geographical origin, propolis contamination, and storage conditions also playing a role.
Honey is a minor source: While present, honey contains significantly lower levels of chrysin compared to propolis, a resinous bee product, which is a much richer source.
Flavonoids are a team effort: The health benefits of honey are attributed to a combination of various antioxidants, not just chrysin, supporting the idea of a varied diet.
Dietary approach is best: To maximize flavonoid intake for potential health benefits, it's more effective to consume a broad range of plant-based foods rather than relying on honey alone for chrysin.
Bioavailability is a challenge: The body's absorption of pure chrysin is notoriously low due to poor solubility, a factor that affects its therapeutic efficacy regardless of the source.

What is Chrysin?

Chrysin is a naturally occurring flavone, a class of flavonoids synthesized by plants as secondary metabolites. Found in many plant species, bee propolis, and honey, it is recognized for its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. As a bioactive compound, chrysin has attracted scientific interest for its potential health benefits, which include protective effects against oxidative stress, inflammation, and various diseases. However, it is important to note that pure chrysin has low water solubility and poor oral bioavailability, which is a major area of research for improving its therapeutic efficacy.

How Much Chrysin is in Honey?

The precise amount of chrysin in honey is not fixed; rather, it is highly variable. The concentration is largely dependent on the honey's floral source, with significant differences observed between different types of honey. Scientific studies have used high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry to determine flavonoid content, revealing a broad spectrum of concentrations. For example, one study found that the chrysin content in honeydew honey was 0.10 mg/kg, while forest honey contained a much higher concentration of 5.3 mg/kg. Hungarian acacia honey has also been shown to contain higher levels of chrysin compared to other unifloral honeys, such as milkweed and linden honeys. These findings demonstrate that the botanical origin of honey is the primary determinant of its chrysin level.

Factors Influencing Chrysin Levels

Several factors contribute to the final concentration of chrysin found in honey:

Floral Source: This is the most crucial factor. Bees collect nectar and pollen from various plants, and the specific mix of flowers visited dictates the flavonoid profile of the honey.
Geographical Origin: The region where the honey is produced influences the local flora, and therefore, the flavonoid composition can vary based on geography.
Presence of Propolis: Chrysin is highly concentrated in propolis, the resinous substance honeybees use to build and protect their hives. Honey contaminated with propolis during collection will contain higher levels of chrysin.
Storage Conditions and Age: The concentration of phenolic compounds in honey can decrease over time and may be influenced by storage conditions, such as temperature and exposure to light.
Environmental Factors: Soil composition, climate, and pollution can also affect the phytochemical content of the nectar and pollen.

Comparison of Chrysin in Honey and Propolis

It is essential to distinguish between honey and propolis, as they are both bee products containing chrysin, but in vastly different concentrations. Propolis is a resinous mixture that bees produce from tree buds, sap flows, and other botanical sources, and it is a significantly richer source of chrysin.


Feature	Honey	Propolis
Chrysin Concentration	Varies widely, but generally low (e.g., 0.10–5.3 mg/kg).	Significantly higher concentration (e.g., up to 28 g/L in propolis extract).
Source	Produced from flower nectar.	Produced from tree resins and botanical sources.
Composition	Primarily sugars (fructose, glucose) with trace amounts of vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols.	Resins, waxes, essential oils, and concentrated flavonoids and other compounds.
Usage	Common dietary sweetener and traditional remedy.	Medicinal supplement, often extracted and concentrated for specific therapeutic uses.

Beyond Honey: Other Sources of Chrysin

While honey is a known source, it is not the only, or most concentrated, dietary source of chrysin. For those seeking higher intake of this flavonoid, a varied diet is key. Other natural sources include:

Propolis: As mentioned, this is a highly concentrated source.
Passion Flowers: Species like Passiflora caerulea and Passiflora incarnata contain chrysin.
Mushrooms: Certain edible species, such as Pleurotus ostreatus, contain chrysin.
Fruits and Vegetables: Various fruits and vegetables, though typically in lower concentrations than propolis, contribute to overall flavonoid intake.
Herbal Materials: Other herbal sources include specific plant species used in traditional medicine.

The Role of Chrysin in a Healthy Diet

Even with its low bioavailability, the presence of chrysin contributes to the overall nutritional value of honey as a functional food. The health-protective effects of honey, including its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, are attributed to a synergistic effect of its various antioxidant components, including flavonoids like chrysin, phenolic acids, and enzymes. Therefore, consuming honey as part of a balanced diet provides a small contribution of chrysin and other beneficial compounds. For therapeutic purposes, however, concentrated chrysin extracts from propolis or supplements might be used, but these often face challenges due to low systemic absorption.

It is more beneficial to consider the role of chrysin within the context of a wider nutritional approach. Regular consumption of a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods ensures a steady intake of a diverse range of flavonoids, polyphenols, and other antioxidants, which work together to support overall health. For more information on the extensive pharmacological properties of chrysin, one can refer to detailed scientific reviews.

Conclusion

In summary, the amount of chrysin in honey is variable and dependent on the floral source, with typical levels being relatively low, particularly when compared to propolis. While the chrysin in honey contributes to its overall nutritional and antioxidant properties, relying on honey alone for a significant intake of this flavonoid is not practical. For those interested in the potential health benefits associated with chrysin, incorporating a wider variety of flavonoid-rich foods into the diet or exploring purified extracts is a more effective approach. The nutritional science behind chrysin and its sources, including honey, continues to evolve, highlighting the importance of understanding food composition beyond just macronutrients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, chrysin is a flavonoid naturally present in honey, but the quantity varies significantly between different types of honey, depending on the nectar and floral sources used by bees.

No, propolis is a much more concentrated source of chrysin than honey. Propolis, also a bee product, has been found to contain significantly higher levels of this flavonoid.

Studies have shown that honeys from specific floral sources, such as forest honey, can contain higher concentrations of chrysin compared to others, like honeydew honey.

Chrysin levels vary because the concentration of flavonoids in honey is determined by the specific plant life the bees visit for nectar. Geographical location and the degree of propolis contamination also play roles.

Besides honey and propolis, chrysin can also be found in passion flowers, certain mushrooms, and a variety of other fruits, vegetables, and herbal materials.

Pure chrysin has very low oral bioavailability due to poor water solubility. This means that even with concentrated sources, a large portion of the compound is not effectively absorbed by the body.

Flavonoids like chrysin are antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties. They contribute to the overall health benefits associated with a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods.