Is Honey Good for Killing Parasites? A Scientific Review

November 8, 2025 •

4 min read

A 2018 study in the Indian Journal of Pharmacology noted that Manuka honey inhibited the growth of certain parasites in a test tube setting. This initial research, alongside traditional use, prompts the question: is honey good for killing parasites in a real-world context?

Quick Summary

This article investigates the preliminary scientific research on honey's effectiveness against various parasites. It explores the mechanisms behind its potential antimicrobial properties, differentiating between laboratory findings and practical applications.

Key Points

In Vitro Evidence Exists: Studies have shown that certain honeys, particularly Manuka honey, can inhibit or kill specific parasites like Giardia and Trichomonas in test tube experiments.
Mechanisms Are Multifactorial: Honey's antiparasitic effects are attributed to its high sugar content (osmolarity), low pH, and the presence of specific compounds like methylglyoxal (MGO) in Manuka honey.
Animal and Human Studies Are Limited: Research in live subjects is scarce, and existing human trials suggest that honey alone is not as effective as combined therapies.
Honey is Not a Replacement for Medication: Parasitic infections require a proper diagnosis and prescribed medication from a doctor, not self-treatment with honey.
Acts as a Complementary Remedy: Honey can be used as a supporting element in a broader treatment plan, often combined with other natural remedies like papaya seeds or garlic.
Effectiveness Varies by Type: The floral source significantly impacts honey's composition and antimicrobial strength, meaning not all honeys have the same potential antiparasitic properties.

Traditional Beliefs vs. Scientific Scrutiny

For centuries, honey has been revered as a natural remedy with a wide range of medicinal properties, including the ability to treat and prevent various ailments. Its use in traditional medicine to combat intestinal problems and infections is well-documented across different cultures. However, the efficacy of honey for killing parasites specifically requires a closer look at modern scientific evidence, which primarily focuses on in vitro (test tube) and animal studies rather than human clinical trials. The key to honey's potential therapeutic action against parasites lies in its unique composition, including its high osmolarity, low pH, and the presence of specific phytochemicals and enzymes.

The Mechanisms of Honey's Antiparasitic Action

The potential for honey to act against parasites is linked to several intrinsic properties. Firstly, the high sugar content (hyper-osmolarity) and low moisture create an environment where many microorganisms, including some parasites, cannot thrive. This osmotic effect draws water out of the parasite's cells, dehydrating and killing them. Secondly, honey's naturally low pH (between 3.2 and 4.5) is another hostile factor for pathogens. The acidity is a significant antibacterial and antiparasitic agent. Beyond these physical properties, specific types of honey possess unique compounds.

For example, Manuka honey contains high levels of methylglyoxal (MGO), a compound with powerful antimicrobial effects. Research has shown that Manuka honey can inhibit the growth of protozoans like Giardia lamblia and Trichomonas vaginalis in laboratory settings. Other honeys, depending on their floral source, contain varying levels of other active components like flavonoids, phenols, and bee defensin-1, which also contribute to their antimicrobial activity.

Scientific Studies on Honey and Parasites

Numerous studies have investigated honey's antiparasitic effects in controlled settings. Here's what some of the research indicates:

In vitro studies: Multiple laboratory studies have demonstrated that certain honeys can kill or inhibit the growth of parasites. For instance, honeys from specific botanical sources, including Ziziphus spina-christi and Acacia seyal, have shown inhibitory effects against Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia trophozoites. A comparative study found that Manuka honey effectively inhibited the growth of Giardia and Trichomonas in test tubes.
Animal studies: The evidence extends to in vivo animal models. In one study on mice infected with Leishmania major, treatment with honey extract showed a lethal effect on the parasite and helped heal the resulting wounds. However, another animal study using honey as a vehicle for the drug albendazole noted that while the combination was effective, the study did not conclude that honey on its own had significant antiparasitic effects against the tested parasite, Echinococcus multilocularis.
Human studies: Research involving humans is limited. One study on children with intestinal parasites investigated the effect of papaya seeds combined with honey. While the combination was effective, the group receiving honey alone cleared parasites at a much lower rate, indicating honey alone may not be a potent treatment.

Honey as a Complementary Therapy

While not a standalone cure, honey can act as a complementary therapy alongside conventional medical treatments. It can support the body's immune response and aid in recovery. Some functional medicine approaches suggest incorporating foods with known antimicrobial properties, including pure honey, garlic, and pumpkin seeds, into the diet to help manage parasites. Combining honey with other natural ingredients is a common folk remedy. For instance, mixing papaya seed powder with honey is a traditional approach to combat intestinal worms.

Comparing Different Types of Honey for Parasites


Honey Type	Studied Parasites	Key Active Component	Evidence Level	Notes
Manuka Honey	Giardia, Trichomonas	Methylglyoxal (MGO)	Strong in vitro	Effective in test tubes, but clinical efficacy is not fully established.
Ziziphus spina-christi Honey	Entamoeba, Giardia	Phytochemicals	Strong in vitro	Shown to inhibit parasite growth in labs, requiring further research.
Acacia Honey	Giardia, Entamoeba	Phytochemicals	Strong in vitro	Inhibitory effects demonstrated in test tube experiments.
Thyme Honey	Intestinal infections	Antiseptic compounds	Traditional use	Recommended in traditional remedies for gut infections.
Standard Raw Honey	Various	Low pH, high osmolarity	General antimicrobial	Contributes to an inhospitable environment for some pathogens.

The Critical Importance of Medical Advice

It is crucial to emphasize that honey should not replace conventional anti-parasitic medications prescribed by a healthcare provider. Parasitic infections can be serious and require targeted medical treatment. Attempting to self-treat with honey alone could delay proper care and potentially worsen the condition. Honey and other natural remedies are best used as part of a doctor-approved treatment plan to support recovery and overall wellness.

Conclusion

While some specific types of honey, like Manuka and certain botanical varieties, have demonstrated significant antiparasitic effects in laboratory settings, the evidence for honey alone being a definitive cure for parasitic infections in humans is currently limited. The high sugar, low pH, and unique compounds in certain honeys create an unfavorable environment for some parasites, but more robust human clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings. When considering honey for parasitic infections, it should be viewed as a potential complementary aid, not a standalone treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan for any suspected parasitic infection. For more scientific literature on honey's properties, a review of existing studies is available through the National Institutes of Health(https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6234710/).

Frequently Asked Questions

No, honey is not a substitute for conventional anti-parasitic medication. Parasitic infections can be serious and require medical diagnosis and treatment from a healthcare professional.

Scientific research, primarily conducted in laboratories, has focused on Manuka honey due to its high methylglyoxal content, showing promising results against certain protozoans. Other honeys also show varied antimicrobial effects depending on their floral source.

Evidence suggests that eating honey on its own is unlikely to cure a parasitic infection. A study on children showed limited effectiveness for honey alone compared to a combination remedy.

Honey works through several mechanisms: its high sugar content creates a dehydrating environment for parasites, its low pH is hostile to pathogens, and specific varieties contain antimicrobial compounds like MGO.

Some traditional and limited scientific studies suggest that combining honey with papaya seeds can be effective against intestinal parasites. Papaya seeds contain enzymes that are believed to interfere with the parasites' ability to thrive.

Using honey to support health is generally safe for most people, but the primary risk lies in delaying or forgoing professional medical treatment. Children under one year old should not be given honey due to the risk of infant botulism.

In vitro studies are conducted in a laboratory setting, such as a test tube, and show how a substance might affect a parasite in a controlled environment. In vivo studies are conducted in live animals or humans and provide evidence of real-world effects.