The Therapeutic Potential of Apitherapy: A Comprehensive Review on the Health Benefits of Honey and Propolis

Apitherapy has been developed in recent years, providing treatments using honey and other bee products to combat various diseases. Honey and propolis contain bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, minerals, vitamins, enzymes and many more which are responsible for numerous hea...

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Main Authors: Katarzyna Żak, Katarzyna Madyniak, Hubert Jucha, Agnieszka Kluz, Aleksandra Pliszka, Michał Mazur, Weronika Jarych, Krystian Zukierski, Katarzyna Michalak
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń 2025-04-01
Series:Quality in Sport
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Online Access:https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/59776
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author Katarzyna Żak
Katarzyna Madyniak
Hubert Jucha
Agnieszka Kluz
Aleksandra Pliszka
Michał Mazur
Weronika Jarych
Krystian Zukierski
Katarzyna Michalak
author_facet Katarzyna Żak
Katarzyna Madyniak
Hubert Jucha
Agnieszka Kluz
Aleksandra Pliszka
Michał Mazur
Weronika Jarych
Krystian Zukierski
Katarzyna Michalak
author_sort Katarzyna Żak
collection DOAJ
description Apitherapy has been developed in recent years, providing treatments using honey and other bee products to combat various diseases. Honey and propolis contain bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, minerals, vitamins, enzymes and many more which are responsible for numerous health-promoting features. [1] Among this benefits are anti-diabetic, cardioprotective, wound healing, antiviral, antimicrobal, anti-aging, immunomodulatory effects. The purpose of this review is to summarize and update the current information regarding the role of honey and propolis in health and diseases.   Aim of the study  This study reviews recent research on honey and propolis, highlighting their key healing compounds and clinical applications in treating various diseases. The study proposes directions for future research and highlights knowledge gaps.   Materials and methods  To evaluate studies on the therapeutic effects of honey and propolis, we conducted a comprehensive literature review using databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. The main keywords used in the search included: apitherapy, honey, propolis.   Conclusions  In conclusion, honey and propolis are emerging as promising therapeutical options, with evidence supporting their effectiveness in treating various health conditions (cardiovascular diseases, prediabetes, hypertension, infections, pain, and wound healing). Given their safety, efficacy, and inexpensiveness, they could be viable alternatives to conventional treatment. However, further research is crucial to better understand the active ingredients and mechanisms of action, ultimately guiding the development of effective therapies and clear clinical guidelines.
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spelling doaj-art-ce8ce9f454e04d209f32f183bd0d5cd42025-08-20T03:08:39ZengNicolaus Copernicus University in ToruńQuality in Sport2450-31182025-04-014010.12775/QS.2025.40.59776The Therapeutic Potential of Apitherapy: A Comprehensive Review on the Health Benefits of Honey and PropolisKatarzyna Żak0https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4036-090XKatarzyna Madyniak1https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6927-3832Hubert Jucha2https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0182-627XAgnieszka Kluz3https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7427-5818Aleksandra Pliszka4https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5938-5929Michał Mazur5https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8157-5293Weronika Jarych6https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1335-8072Krystian Zukierski7https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1428-5744Katarzyna Michalak8https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0856-1536Saint Wojciech's Hospital in Gdańsk, aleja Jana Pawła II 50, 80-462 Gdańsk PolandMedical University of WarsawFundacja Zdrowie, Wilhelma Konrada Roentgena 23, 02-781 Warszawa, PolandWolski Hospital, Marcina Kasprzaka 17, 01-211 Warszawa, PolandSaint Adalbert Hospital in Gdansk, aleja Jana Pawła II 50, 80-462 Gdańsk, PolandSaint Adalbert Hospital in Gdansk, aleja Jana Pawła II 50, 80-462 Gdańsk, PolandSzpital Morski im. PCK in Gdynia, Powstania Styczniowego 1, 81-519 Gdynia, PolandSzpital Morski im. PCK in Gdynia, Powstania Styczniowego 1, 81-519 Gdynia, PolandSzpital Morski im. PCK in Gdynia, Powstania Styczniowego 1, 81-519 Gdynia, Poland Apitherapy has been developed in recent years, providing treatments using honey and other bee products to combat various diseases. Honey and propolis contain bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, minerals, vitamins, enzymes and many more which are responsible for numerous health-promoting features. [1] Among this benefits are anti-diabetic, cardioprotective, wound healing, antiviral, antimicrobal, anti-aging, immunomodulatory effects. The purpose of this review is to summarize and update the current information regarding the role of honey and propolis in health and diseases.   Aim of the study  This study reviews recent research on honey and propolis, highlighting their key healing compounds and clinical applications in treating various diseases. The study proposes directions for future research and highlights knowledge gaps.   Materials and methods  To evaluate studies on the therapeutic effects of honey and propolis, we conducted a comprehensive literature review using databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. The main keywords used in the search included: apitherapy, honey, propolis.   Conclusions  In conclusion, honey and propolis are emerging as promising therapeutical options, with evidence supporting their effectiveness in treating various health conditions (cardiovascular diseases, prediabetes, hypertension, infections, pain, and wound healing). Given their safety, efficacy, and inexpensiveness, they could be viable alternatives to conventional treatment. However, further research is crucial to better understand the active ingredients and mechanisms of action, ultimately guiding the development of effective therapies and clear clinical guidelines. https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/59776apitherapyhoneypropoliswoundantiviralpain
spellingShingle Katarzyna Żak
Katarzyna Madyniak
Hubert Jucha
Agnieszka Kluz
Aleksandra Pliszka
Michał Mazur
Weronika Jarych
Krystian Zukierski
Katarzyna Michalak
The Therapeutic Potential of Apitherapy: A Comprehensive Review on the Health Benefits of Honey and Propolis
Quality in Sport
apitherapy
honey
propolis
wound
antiviral
pain
title The Therapeutic Potential of Apitherapy: A Comprehensive Review on the Health Benefits of Honey and Propolis
title_full The Therapeutic Potential of Apitherapy: A Comprehensive Review on the Health Benefits of Honey and Propolis
title_fullStr The Therapeutic Potential of Apitherapy: A Comprehensive Review on the Health Benefits of Honey and Propolis
title_full_unstemmed The Therapeutic Potential of Apitherapy: A Comprehensive Review on the Health Benefits of Honey and Propolis
title_short The Therapeutic Potential of Apitherapy: A Comprehensive Review on the Health Benefits of Honey and Propolis
title_sort therapeutic potential of apitherapy a comprehensive review on the health benefits of honey and propolis
topic apitherapy
honey
propolis
wound
antiviral
pain
url https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/59776
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