Honey & Bee Products · Honey
Eucalyptus Honey
Honey from Eucalyptus nectar (e.g. Eucalyptus camaldulensis) · also called Eucalyptus monofloral honey
Eucalyptus honey is honey that bees make mostly from the nectar of eucalyptus trees. Never give any honey, eucalyptus honey included, to a baby under 12 months: it can cause infant botulism. Honey is a sugar food. We found no human trial of eucalyptus honey itself. The cough and wound research is on honey in general, and the rest comes from the lab.
General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made
About Eucalyptus Honey
Eucalyptus honey is a medium amber honey made by bees mostly from eucalyptus nectar. Safety first: never give any honey to a baby under 12 months because of infant botulism. Honey is a sugar food, it can cause allergy in some people, and it is not a wound dressing. We found no trial of eucalyptus honey in people. The cough, blood sugar and wound research is about honey in general, and the other findings come from the lab.
What it is
Eucalyptus honey is a monofloral honey: bees make it mostly from the nectar of eucalyptus trees. A 2020 review calls it an important single-plant honey sold around the world. Many eucalyptus species exist. In a Turkish study the main pollen was from Eucalyptus camaldulensis (red river gum, accepted by GBIF) at 47%.
Lab work on European eucalyptus honeys found a steady pattern of plant pigments called flavonoids, including myricetin, tricetin and luteolin, which help show the honey's plant origin. Spanish and Uruguayan studies describe other lab markers.
The honey is often described as having a cool or menthol-like note. No source we read describes its taste, so we cannot confirm that.
What the research shows
We found no trial of eucalyptus honey in people for any condition.
The wider honey research is about honey in general. A Cochrane review found honey probably eases cough a little for a few days in children over 1 year, but the authors say there is no strong evidence. A 2026 review found mostly no difference between honey and cough medicines. Honey dressings healed some burns faster, under medical care.
Everything specific to eucalyptus honey is from the lab. In dishes a Turkish eucalyptus honey slowed several bacteria and harmed some cancer cell lines. That does not show an effect in people.
Quality and what a label can tell you
A 2025 lab survey of 80 honeys found 61% contained at least one pyrrolizidine alkaloid, a natural plant toxin. Eucalyptus and wildflower honeys had the highest levels, up to 27 micrograms per kg. The abstract does not say what that means for health.
Sugar-syrup adulteration of honey is documented. A Uruguayan study showed carbon isotope readings can help separate eucalyptus from pasture honey and flag corn-syrup adulteration. No fraud rate was given.
A jar cannot show any of this. The word eucalyptus on a label does not prove what is inside, and words like raw or natural are not safety claims.
At a glance
Traditional uses history, not proof
- Honey in general has been a home remedy for cough and wounds in many places; no source read describes a traditional medical use specific to eucalyptus honey.
- A 2020 review says consumers value eucalyptus honey for medicinal properties attributed to the plant it comes from.
Studied for research
- Cough in children over 1 year (honey in general): mixed
- Honey compared with cough medicines (honey in general): low
- Cold symptoms (honey in general): low
- Blood sugar and heart markers (honey in general): mixed
- Burns and wounds (honey dressings in general): mixed
- Antibacterial activity (lab only): very low
- Effects on cancer cell lines (lab dishes only): very low
- Antioxidant tests (lab only): very low
Main compounds
- Fructose and glucose, the main sugars
- Flavonoids used as origin markers: myricetin, tricetin, luteolin, quercetin and kaempferol
- Phenolics that come from propolis rather than the flower
- Pyrrolizidine alkaloids, natural plant toxins found in some honeys
Common forms
- Liquid strained honey, the usual jar product
- Creamed or set honey
- Raw or less-heated honey (not safer for babies)
- Sterile honey dressings (a separate medical product)
Research links: WHO: Botulism · NHS: Botulism · WHO: Healthy diet (free sugars) · Cochrane: honey for cough in children (abstract) · Cochrane: honey for wounds (abstract) · Eucalyptus honey review, 2020 (abstract) · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library
What it is and its history
- Accepted scientific name
- Eucalyptus honey (honey made mainly from Eucalyptus nectar)
- Naming authority
- Source plant genus: Eucalyptus L'Hér. (GBIF accepted). One studied source species: Eucalyptus camaldulensis Denham (GBIF accepted). Bee: Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758 (GBIF accepted).
- Synonyms
- Eucalyptus monofloral honey
- Common names
- Eucalyptus honey (English); Eucalyptus monofloral honey (English)
- Family or group
- Source plant: Myrtaceae (myrtle family). The honey is made by bees, not by the plant.
- Classification
- Plantae (source plant) > Tracheophyta > Magnoliopsida > Myrtales > Myrtaceae > Eucalyptus > Eucalyptus camaldulensis
- Native range
- Not checked in the sources read.
- Habitat
- Not checked.
- What it looks like
- Flowers: Nectar from eucalyptus flowers is the main source (by definition of the honey).
- Cultivation
- Not checked.
- Harvest and processing
- Usually sold as liquid strained honey; also creamed or set honey and raw (less heated) honey (existing AlternativeMed summary; not re-checked). Sterile honey dressings are a separate medical product.
- Look-alikes and adulterants
- Name: Other honeys sold under a eucalyptus name; Note: Origin is checked in the lab by pollen counts and chemical markers; a label alone does not prove it. A Turkish sample in one study had Eucalyptus camaldulensis as 47% of the pollen.; Name: Jarrah honey; Note: A honey from another eucalyptus species (Eucalyptus marginata, per the existing site summary, not re-checked here), with its own page.
Photographs
Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof
| Tradition or era | Documented use | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Honey in general | The 2020 review says eucalyptus honey is much desired by consumers because of medicinal properties attributed to it from the plant it comes from. Honey has been used in wound care since ancient times (Cochrane wound review). No source read describes a specific traditional medical use of eucalyptus honey. | p32387927 |
Traditional use shows how it was used. It does not show that it works or is safe today.
What is inside, and how it may work
What it contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.
Main compounds
| Compound | Family | Where it is concentrated | Activity studied | Level of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fructose and glucose | sugars | Honey Not given in the abstracts read. | The main components of honey; they make it a free sugar (WHO). 19 | Reference |
| Myricetin PubChem 5281672 | flavonol | Honey (floral marker in European eucalyptus honeys) Contents were 'quite constant' across samples; figures not in the abstract. | Used as a marker of botanical origin. Not tested for health effects in this honey. 8 | Lab analysis |
| Tricetin PubChem 5281701 | flavone | Honey (floral marker) Not given in the abstract. | Marker of eucalyptus origin; not previously found as a marker in the other honeys the lab had analysed. 8 | Lab analysis |
| Luteolin PubChem 5280445 | flavone | Honey (floral marker) Not given in the abstract. | Marker of eucalyptus origin. 8 | Lab analysis |
| Quercetin and kaempferol PubChem 5280343 | flavonols | Honey Not given in the abstract. | Identified in European eucalyptus honeys (quercetin CID 5280343; kaempferol CID 5280863, C15H10O6). 8 | Lab analysis |
| Propolis-derived phenolics (ellagic acid, pinobanksin, pinocembrin, chrysin) PubChem 5281607 | phenolics | Honey (not from the flower) Much more variable than the floral markers. | Detected in most samples; they come from propolis, not the eucalyptus nectar (chrysin CID 5281607 shown). 8 | Lab analysis |
| Amadori compounds (fructosyl amino acids) | Maillard products | Honey Not given in the abstract. | Highlighted as eucalyptus honey markers in Spanish market honeys; the authors suggest use for honey ageing and origin checks. 12 | Lab analysis |
| Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (e.g. indicine, lycopsamine) | plant alkaloids (contaminants) | Honey (from other plants visited by bees) Up to 27 micrograms per kg (sum of regulated alkaloids) in eucalyptus and wildflower honeys. | Unwanted natural plant toxins; the abstract gives no health outcome. 5 | Lab analysis |
Mechanisms, receptors and pathways
| Target or pathway | Gene or receptor | What was found | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial effect in dishes | Eucalyptus honey slowed several bacteria; artificial honey was much weaker, which the authors take to suggest that non-sugar constituents matter. This is a lab dish finding. 14 | Laboratory research | |
| Antioxidant chemistry | Test-tube antioxidant scores varied between honeys; a eucalyptus honey was highest on one of three tests. 15 | Laboratory research | |
| Cough relief | No mechanism was tested in the cough reviews read. 11 | None |
Absorption, metabolism and elimination
- Absorption
- Not studied for eucalyptus honey in the sources read.
- Distribution
- Not studied.
- Metabolism
- Not studied.
- Elimination
- Not studied.
- Bioavailability
- Not studied.
Isolated compounds versus whole extracts
Honey is a whole food. Lab findings on honey solutions or on single flavonoids do not show what happens in people. Findings for other honey types, or for sterile medical honey dressings, do not carry over to jar eucalyptus honey.
Nutritional composition
Honey is mostly sugar. WHO counts sugars naturally present in honey as free sugars to be limited. No source read gave a sugar breakdown for eucalyptus honey.
3 mixed findings2 low certainty3 very low certainty1 not enough evidence
What was looked at
The 9 benefits and uses checked for Eucalyptus Honey, each with how strong the evidence is. Tap one to open it.
- Cough and colds (eucalyptus honey itself)Not enough evidence
- Night and day cough in children over 1 year (honey in general, not eucalyptus)Mixed findings
- Honey compared with cough medicines in children (honey in general)Low certainty
- Upper respiratory infection symptoms, all ages (honey in general)Low certainty
- Blood sugar and heart markers (honey in general)Mixed findings
- Wounds and burns (honey dressings in general)Mixed findings
- Antibacterial activity (lab dishes only)Very low certainty
- Effects on human cancer cell lines (lab dishes only)Very low certainty
- Antioxidant tests (lab only)Very low certainty
Lab markers tracked in the studies
Cough frequency (symptom scale)Effect of cough on the child's sleepHbA1c (average blood sugar over about 3 months)Fasting blood glucoseTime for partial-thickness burns to heal
What is Eucalyptus Honey good for?
What people ask about, and how strong the human evidence is. Where a result is about honey in general, not eucalyptus honey, it says so. None of it is proof, and all of it should be read with the safety section.
Benefits, one by one
Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.
Cough and colds (eucalyptus honey itself)
Not enough evidenceWe found no trial of eucalyptus honey itself for cough or colds. The cough research is on honey in general, shown in the next entries.
0 studiesNot applicable.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human trial of eucalyptus honey for cough was found in the PubMed searches done for this page (a search for eucalyptus honey in titles and abstracts returned lab, chemistry and review papers).
Results
Nothing to report for eucalyptus honey.
Why this rating
No trial exists in the sources read, so no claim for eucalyptus honey can be supported.
Limits
The search was of PubMed titles and abstracts only.
Why researchers looked
Eucalyptus is linked in many people's minds with clearing the chest, so people ask whether eucalyptus honey is better for coughs.
Traditional use
Honey is a long-standing home remedy for cough in many places. The sources read do not describe a traditional medical use specific to eucalyptus honey.
Proposed mechanism None found
No mechanism for eucalyptus honey and cough was found in the sources read.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Never give honey of any kind to a baby under 12 months.
Night and day cough in children over 1 year (honey in general, not eucalyptus)
Mixed findingsA Cochrane review of 6 small trials (899 children) found honey probably eases cough a little for up to three days compared with no treatment or placebo. The authors say the evidence is not strong. These trials did not test eucalyptus honey by name in the abstract.
1 studiesHoney types and amounts are not given in the abstract.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Cochrane review of 6 randomised trials in 899 children aged 12 months to 18 years with acute cough in outpatient settings; the review compared honey with no treatment, placebo, dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine, salbutamol and bromelin.
Results
Honey probably reduced cough frequency more than no treatment and more than placebo (moderate-certainty). It may be similar to dextromethorphan (low-certainty). Benefit was probable for up to three days; beyond three days there was probably no advantage over placebo. Most children had one night of treatment.
Effect sizes as reported
Versus placebo: mean difference -1.62 on a 7-point scale (95% CI -3.02 to -0.22; 2 studies, 402 children). Versus no treatment: -1.05 (95% CI -1.48 to -0.62; 2 studies, 154 children).
Why this rating
Moderate-certainty by Cochrane for the main comparisons, but the authors conclude there is no strong evidence for or against honey, most trials treated for one night, and two had high risk of bias.
Form and dose studied
Honey types and amounts are not given in the abstract.
Who was studied
Children aged 12 months and over, outpatient settings.
Limits
Mostly one night of treatment; risk of bias; honey type not separated.
Why researchers looked
Honey is a common home remedy for children's cough, and reviewers have asked whether it works better than doing nothing, a placebo or cough medicine.
Traditional use
Honey is a long-standing home remedy for cough in many places. The sources read do not describe a traditional medical use specific to eucalyptus honey.
Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory
Honey is thought to coat and soothe the throat. The sources read do not test this.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Some trials reported more stomach symptoms with honey than placebo (moderate-certainty). Never give honey of any kind to a baby under 12 months.
Honey compared with cough medicines in children (honey in general)
Low certaintyA 2026 review of 7 trials (576 children) found mostly no clear difference between honey and cough medicines. Extra, after-the-fact analyses suggested a benefit, but the authors call that a signal to test, not proof.
1 studiesHoney types and amounts not given in the abstract.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Systematic review and meta-analysis: 7 trials in the review, 6 in the meta-analysis, 576 children (305 received honey), mean ages 3 to 5, follow-up up to 3 days.
Results
The main analysis showed high variation between studies and no significant difference for most outcomes, except the effect of cough on the child's sleep, which was lower with honey (mean difference -0.73, 95% CI -1.45 to -0.01). After a post-hoc sensitivity analysis honey improved all outcomes. The authors call this hypothesis-generating.
Effect sizes as reported
Sleep effect: MD -0.73 (95% CI -1.45 to -0.01).
Why this rating
The main analysis was mostly null, the positive result came from a post-hoc analysis, and follow-up was only 3 days. The authors themselves call it hypothesis-generating.
Form and dose studied
Honey types and amounts not given in the abstract.
Who was studied
Children, mean age 3 to 5.
Limits
Post-hoc analysis; short follow-up; high heterogeneity.
Why researchers looked
Cough medicines are not advised for young children in many places, so reviewers asked how honey compares.
Traditional use
Honey is a long-standing home remedy for cough in many places. The sources read do not describe a traditional medical use specific to eucalyptus honey.
Proposed mechanism Not tested
No mechanism was tested in the review.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Never give honey of any kind to a baby under 12 months.
Upper respiratory infection symptoms, all ages (honey in general)
Low certaintyA 2021 review of 14 studies found honey better than usual care for cough and cold symptoms. Against placebo only two studies could be combined, and the result could include no effect.
1 studiesHoney types and amounts not given in the abstract.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 studies; overall risk of bias moderate.
Results
Compared with usual care, honey improved combined symptom score (3 studies), cough frequency (8 studies) and cough severity (5 studies). Two studies comparing honey with placebo for combined symptoms were combined: SMD -0.63, 95% CI -1.44 to 0.18, which includes no effect.
Effect sizes as reported
Cough frequency: SMD -0.36 (95% CI -0.50 to -0.21). Cough severity: SMD -0.44 (95% CI -0.64 to -0.25). Combined symptoms: mean difference -3.96 (95% CI -5.42 to -2.51). Versus placebo: SMD -0.63 (95% CI -1.44 to 0.18).
Why this rating
Better than usual care, but usual care is not a placebo, and the placebo-controlled result was uncertain. The authors say more high-quality placebo-controlled trials are needed. One author is a hobby beekeeper.
Form and dose studied
Honey types and amounts not given in the abstract.
Who was studied
People with upper respiratory tract infections.
Limits
Few placebo-controlled studies; honey types not separated.
Why researchers looked
Reviewers asked whether honey is a cheap alternative to antibiotics, which do not work on colds.
Traditional use
Honey is a long-standing home remedy for cough in many places. The sources read do not describe a traditional medical use specific to eucalyptus honey.
Proposed mechanism In vitro background
The authors note that honey has antimicrobial properties in the lab; this review did not test that.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Never give honey of any kind to a baby under 12 months.
Blood sugar and heart markers (honey in general)
Mixed findingsHoney is sugar. An overview of 69 trials found about 10 g of honey a day may lower HbA1c but may worsen fasting glucose, blood pressure, triglycerides and a liver enzyme. Eucalyptus honey was not tested by name.
2 studiesThe first review reports on about 10 g a day; the abstract of the sec…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
An umbrella review and meta-analysis of 69 trials (3,544 people) of honey, royal jelly and propolis; and a meta-analysis of fructose-containing sugars (17 study codes from 7 trials, 7 hours to 49 days) that included honey.
Results
In the first review, about 10 g of honey a day may lower HbA1c, but may adversely affect systolic blood pressure, AST (a liver enzyme), triglycerides, fasting blood glucose and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. In the second, honey showed no significant effect on fasting glucose or insulin, but pooled fructose, fructose-glucose mixtures and honey raised uric acid (Hedges' g = 0.550, P = 0.028).
Effect sizes as reported
Mixed: one possible benefit (HbA1c) and several possible harms.
Why this rating
Two reviews of honey of unnamed types give mixed results with some worse markers. The authors of the first say long-term or high-dose honey in people with health concerns warrants caution.
Form and dose studied
The first review reports on about 10 g a day; the abstract of the second does not give honey amounts.
Who was studied
People in the included trials; many with health concerns.
Limits
Honey types not separated; short trials in the second review; the second paper discloses AI help with language.
Why researchers looked
People ask whether honey is a better sweetener than sugar for blood sugar and heart health.
Traditional use
Not described for eucalyptus honey.
Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory
Honey is mostly fructose and glucose; the reviews do not test a mechanism.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Honey counts as a free sugar (WHO). People who manage blood sugar should ask a doctor or pharmacist.
Wounds and burns (honey dressings in general)
Mixed findingsIn a Cochrane review of 26 trials, honey dressings healed partial-thickness burns about 4.7 days faster than conventional dressings. For most other wounds the evidence was low quality. Jar eucalyptus honey is not a medical dressing.
1 studiesHoney dressings (the abstract does not name the honey types).
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Cochrane review: 26 trials, 3,011 people, including 11 burn trials and 10 trials in chronic wounds.
Results
High-quality evidence (2 trials, 992 people) that honey dressings heal partial-thickness burns more quickly than conventional dressings. Moderate-quality evidence that honey healed infected post-operative wounds more quickly than antiseptic washes plus gauze (1 trial, 50 people). For venous leg ulcers, minor acute wounds, diabetic foot ulcers and mixed chronic wounds the effect was unclear. The authors say it is difficult to draw overall conclusions.
Effect sizes as reported
Partial-thickness burns: 4.68 days faster (95% CI -5.09 to -4.28).
Why this rating
High-quality evidence for one comparison, but overall conclusions limited by mostly low-quality evidence. Honey type is not stated, and the trials used honey dressings, not jar honey.
Form and dose studied
Honey dressings (the abstract does not name the honey types).
Who was studied
People with acute or chronic wounds including burns.
Limits
Mixed populations and comparators; some authors were investigators on an included trial that received a small unconditional contribution from a honey-dressing maker.
Why researchers looked
Honey has been used on wounds since ancient times, and reviewers asked whether trials back it up.
Traditional use
The review states honey has been used in wound care since ancient times; nothing specific to eucalyptus honey.
Proposed mechanism Animal and theory
Animal studies and some trials suggested honey may speed healing (stated in the review background); no mechanism was tested.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Do not use jar honey instead of medical care for a wound or burn. Sterile medical-grade honey is a separate product.
Antibacterial activity (lab dishes only)
Very low certaintyIn a 2026 lab study a Turkish eucalyptus honey slowed several bacteria in dishes. It was not tested in people or on infections.
1 studiesNot applicable (lab).
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Lab study only: bacterial strains grown in dishes with honey solutions. The pollen analysis found Eucalyptus camaldulensis was the main pollen (47%).
Results
Activity depended on concentration. Staphylococcus aureus was most susceptible (22 mm inhibition zone). Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecalis were moderately inhibited; Micrococcus luteus was resistant. MIC50 values ranged from 1.69% to 15.36% and MBC values from 6.25% to 50% honey. Artificial honey was weaker with no bactericidal effect.
Effect sizes as reported
S. aureus inhibition zone 22 mm; MIC50 1.69% to 15.36%.
Why this rating
Lab dish work on one honey sample; no animals or people; concentrations of honey in a dish are not what reaches the body.
Limits
One sample; lab only.
Why researchers looked
Researchers tested whether eucalyptus honey, with its plant-derived compounds, holds back bacteria in the lab.
Traditional use
Not described.
Proposed mechanism Laboratory research
Artificial honey (sugar only) was much weaker and not bactericidal, which the authors take to suggest non-sugar constituents matter.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Do not treat an infection with honey in place of medical care.
Effects on human cancer cell lines (lab dishes only)
Very low certaintyIn the same 2026 lab study, eucalyptus honey harmed some human cancer cells grown in dishes and not others. This says nothing about treating cancer in people.
1 studiesNot applicable (lab).
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Six human cancer cell lines were exposed for 48 and 72 hours.
Results
Pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma cells and osteosarcoma cells were highly sensitive (72-hour IC50 values of 0.55% and 1.85% honey). Malignant mesothelioma cells were resistant.
Effect sizes as reported
72-hour IC50: 0.55% (pharyngeal) and 1.85% (osteosarcoma).
Why this rating
Cell dishes only. Honey in a dish at these percentages is not a treatment, and no animal or human data were reported.
Limits
Lab only; one sample; no healthy-cell comparison in the abstract.
Why researchers looked
The researchers tested how cell lines respond to honey solutions.
Traditional use
Not described.
Proposed mechanism Laboratory research
Cell death in an MTT assay; the study does not give a mechanism in the abstract.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Not a cancer treatment. People with cancer should ask their care team before using honey products.
Antioxidant tests (lab only)
Very low certaintyIn a Portuguese lab study a eucalyptus honey scored highest on one antioxidant test (ABTS) but not on others. Lab antioxidant scores do not show a health effect.
1 studiesNot applicable (lab).
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Lab study of Portuguese monofloral honeys, not human research.
Results
Honeydew honey had the highest phenols and the highest DPPH and FRAP values. In the ABTS test, honey from Eucalyptus spp. (Arouca) was highest. Citrus honey had the lowest phenols.
Effect sizes as reported
Eucalyptus honey highest on ABTS only.
Why this rating
Chemistry in a lab tube; one eucalyptus sample; no human outcome. One author works for a beekeeping company (APISMAIA).
Limits
Lab only; one sample.
Why researchers looked
Researchers compared the phenol content and antioxidant scores of monofloral honeys to help tell them apart.
Traditional use
Not described.
Proposed mechanism Laboratory research
Spectrophotometric lab tests (DPPH, FRAP, ABTS) of phenols and antioxidant capacity.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
None specific.
Connections to the rest of health
How Eucalyptus Honey connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.
Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes
B. Body systems
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immune system | Adverse effect or risk | Low certainty | Allergic reactions, rare but can be severe. Preparation or compound: Honey and bee products |
9 13 |
| Respiratory System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Cough and colds (eucalyptus honey itself) Studied for: Night and day cough in children over 1 year (honey in general, not eucalyptus) | 11 16 1 |
| Immune System | Biological association | Low certainty | Studied for: Upper respiratory infection symptoms, all ages (honey in general) Studied for: Antibacterial activity (lab dishes only) | 1 14 |
| Endocrine System | Biological association | Mixed findings | Studied for: Blood sugar and heart markers (honey in general) | 10 6 |
| Cardiovascular System | Biological association | Mixed findings | Studied for: Blood sugar and heart markers (honey in general) | 10 6 |
| Integumentary System | Biological association | Mixed findings | Studied for: Wounds and burns (honey dressings in general) | 7 |
C. Body parts and organs
I. Biomarkers
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HbA1c | Mixed findings | Possible lower HbA1c, other measures may worsen. Preparation or compound: Honey of mixed types |
10 | |
| Cough frequency (symptom scale) | Biological association | Mixed findings | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 11 1 |
| Effect of cough on the child's sleep | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 16 |
| HbA1c (average blood sugar over about 3 months) | Biological association | Mixed findings | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 10 |
| Fasting blood glucose | Biological association | Mixed findings | Measured in trials: mixed. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 10 6 |
| Time for partial-thickness burns to heal | Biological association | Moderate certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 7 |
L. Active compounds
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fructose and glucose | Biological association | Reference | The main components of honey; they make it a free sugar (WHO). Preparation or compound: Honey |
19 |
| Myricetin | Biological association | Lab analysis | Used as a marker of botanical origin. Not tested for health effects in this honey. Preparation or compound: Honey (floral marker in European eucalyptus honeys) |
8 |
| Tricetin | Biological association | Lab analysis | Marker of eucalyptus origin; not previously found as a marker in the other honeys the lab had analysed. Preparation or compound: Honey (floral marker) |
8 |
| Luteolin | Biological association | Lab analysis | Marker of eucalyptus origin. Preparation or compound: Honey (floral marker) |
8 |
| Quercetin and kaempferol | Biological association | Lab analysis | Identified in European eucalyptus honeys (quercetin CID 5280343; kaempferol CID 5280863, C15H10O6). Preparation or compound: Honey |
8 |
| Propolis-derived phenolics (ellagic acid, pinobanksin, pinocembrin, chrysin) | Biological association | Lab analysis | Detected in most samples; they come from propolis, not the eucalyptus nectar (chrysin CID 5281607 shown). Preparation or compound: Honey (not from the flower) |
8 |
| Amadori compounds (fructosyl amino acids) | Biological association | Lab analysis | Highlighted as eucalyptus honey markers in Spanish market honeys; the authors suggest use for honey ageing and origin checks. Preparation or compound: Honey |
12 |
| Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (e.g. indicine, lycopsamine) | Biological association | Lab analysis | Unwanted natural plant toxins; the abstract gives no health outcome. Preparation or compound: Honey (from other plants visited by bees) |
5 |
Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 25, 2026).
Evidence at a glance: what changed in 5 lab markers
Tap a number to show only those markers. Counts are markers, not people.
The evidence
The research centre for Eucalyptus Honey. Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.
Evidence by outcome
Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).
How we rate evidence
High certainty
Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.
Moderate certainty
Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.
Low certainty
Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.
Very low certainty
Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.
Mixed findings
Trials or reviews disagree with each other.
Not enough evidence
Not enough human research to say either way.
Evidence against
Good research found no benefit, or found harm.
We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We read the abstracts of 16 PubMed papers, the WHO botulism and healthy-diet fact sheets and the NHS botulism page in full, checked the plant and bee names in GBIF and six flavonoids in PubChem. Certainty ratings are the compiler's own reading unless a review gives its own. The CDC page was not opened and is not cited as checked.
Study library: every study we checked 20
| Study | Design | People | Product, dose, length | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abuelgasim 2021 Effectiveness of honey for symptomatic relief in upper respiratory tract infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ evidence-based medicine · PMID 32817011 · DOI |
Meta-analysis |
14 studies of people with upper respiratory tract infections | Honey versus usual care or placebo honey (types not stated in the abstract) Not given in the abstract Not given in the abstract · vs Usual care; placebo in two studies |
Compared with usual care, honey improved combined symptom score (3 studies), cough frequency (8 studies, SMD -0.36) and cough severity (5 studies, SMD -0.44). Two honey versus placebo studies for combined symptoms gave SMD -0.63 (95% CI -1.44 to 0.18) with high inconsistency. Better than usual care; placebo comparison uncertain (Cough frequency SMD -0.36 (95% CI -0.50 to -0.21)) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Combined symptom score, cough frequency, cough severity Limitations: Moderate risk of bias; few placebo-controlled studies; honey types not stated. Funding and conflicts: One author is a hobby beekeeper. Registration: PROSPERO CRD42017067582 Read: abstract |
| Aricò 2026 Infant Botulism and Honey Exposure: Global Epidemiology, Prevention Policies, and Communication Strategies. Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992) · PMID 41964486 · DOI |
Narrative review |
Surveillance reports, agency documents and papers on infant botulism from 1976 to 2024 | Honey exposure in infants honey (types not stated) |
Cases were rare, but honey was the only consistently confirmed dietary source. Median age at onset 3 to 4 months. Mortality below 1% with intensive care and human botulism immune globulin. The USA had about 130 cases a year in a global review; Europe, Canada, Japan and Australia reported markedly lower incidence. Health authorities uniformly advised against honey before 12 months, but warning labels were voluntary in many regions. Rare but serious; honey is the only consistently confirmed food source Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Epidemiology, mortality, prevention policy Limitations: Narrative review; not specific to eucalyptus honey. Funding and conflicts: Not read in the abstract (none declared in the record). Read: abstract |
| Berriel 2019 Differentiating pasture honey from eucalyptus honey based on carbon isotopic data in Uruguay. Heliyon · PMID 30899822 · DOI |
Lab analysis lab |
89 47 pasture honeys and 42 eucalyptus honeys from Uruguay |
Carbon isotope analysis of honey and its protein fraction honey Lab · vs Pasture honey |
A logistic regression model correctly assigned 90% of training samples; validation gave 100% correct for pasture honeys and 90% for eucalyptus honeys. The data could also be used to detect adulteration with high-fructose corn syrup using a stricter local cut-off than the international limit of -1.0 per mil. Lab method can separate eucalyptus from pasture honey and flag corn-syrup adulteration Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Origin classification and adulteration with high-fructose corn syrup Limitations: Lab method in one country; not a measure of how common fraud is. Funding and conflicts: None declared in the record. Read: abstract |
| Bobis 2020 Eucalyptus honey: Quality parameters, chemical composition and health-promoting properties. Food chemistry · PMID 32387927 · DOI |
Narrative review n/a |
Literature on eucalyptus honey | Eucalyptus honey honey |
The abstract says eucalyptus honey is an important unifloral honey sold worldwide, rich in eucalyptus pollen, and that it can suffer contamination and adulteration that compromise quality, safety and authenticity. The abstract gives no health results. Overview; no health results in the abstract Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Quality parameters, composition, health-promoting properties, contamination, authenticity, adulteration Limitations: Abstract only was read; no numbers in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: The authors declare no competing interests. Read: abstract |
| Carbonell-Rozas 2025 Holistic Approach to Investigate Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids in Honeys from Diverse Botanical Origin: From Target to Suspect and Nontarget Screening Analysis. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry · PMID 40586875 · DOI |
Lab analysis lab |
80 80 honey samples of diverse botanical origin |
Chemical screening of honeys for pyrrolizidine alkaloids honey Lab |
61% of samples contained at least one pyrrolizidine alkaloid. Eucalyptus and wildflower honeys showed the highest contamination levels, reaching 27 micrograms per kg as the sum of regulated alkaloids. Indicine and lycopsamine, commonly linked to Echium plants, were the most frequently detected. Natural plant toxins are common in honey; eucalyptus among the highest Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Presence and levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloids Limitations: Lab survey; the abstract gives no number of eucalyptus samples and no health outcome. Funding and conflicts: None declared in the record. Read: abstract |
| Guntari 2025 Fructose-containing sugars and metabolic risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Food & nutrition research · PMID 41323133 · DOI |
Meta-analysis |
7 clinical trials (17 study codes) of fructose, fructose-glucose mixtures, honey and sucrose; durations 7 hours to 49 days | Honey among fructose-containing sugars honey (types not stated in the abstract) Not given in the abstract 7 hours to 49 days · vs Unsweetened beverages, artificial sweeteners, habitual diets |
Fructose-glucose mixtures raised fasting glucose and insulin; fructose, honey and sucrose showed no significant effects on those. Pooled fructose, fructose-glucose and honey raised uric acid (Hedges' g = 0.550, P = 0.028). Honey alone: no significant change in fasting glucose or insulin; uric acid increased when pooled with other sugars Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Fasting glucose, insulin, cholesterol, uric acid Limitations: Few honey trials; short durations; honey results not given separately for uric acid; the authors used AI to improve language. Funding and conflicts: The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Read: abstract |
| Jull 2015 Honey as a topical treatment for wounds. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · PMID 25742878 · DOI |
Systematic review |
3011 26 trials, 3,011 people with acute or chronic wounds including burns |
Honey dressings honey (types not stated in the abstract) Not given in the abstract Varied · vs Conventional dressings, silver sulfadiazine, antiseptics, sugar dressings and others |
High-quality evidence that honey dressings heal partial-thickness burns more quickly than conventional dressings (WMD -4.68 days, 95% CI -5.09 to -4.28; 2 trials, n=992). No difference in healing within 6 weeks compared with silver sulfadiazine (high-quality). For most other wounds the evidence was low or very low quality. The authors say it is difficult to draw overall conclusions. Faster healing of partial-thickness burns; unclear elsewhere (Partial-thickness burns: WMD -4.68 days, 95% CI -5.09 to -4.28) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Wound healing time and rates Limitations: Heterogeneous populations and comparators; mostly low-quality evidence; honey dressings not jar honey. Funding and conflicts: Some authors investigated one included trial that received a small unconditional cash contribution from a honey-dressing manufacturer. Read: abstract |
| Martos 2000 Identification of flavonoid markers for the botanical origin of Eucalyptus honey. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry · PMID 10820049 · DOI |
Lab analysis lab |
European eucalyptus honeys analysed by HPLC | Chemical profiling honey Lab · vs Other honey types from the lab's collection |
European eucalyptus honeys had a common profile: myricetin, tricetin, quercetin, luteolin and kaempferol. Ellagic acid and the propolis-derived pinobanksin, pinocembrin and chrysin were detected in most samples. Myricetin, tricetin and luteolin had not been identified as floral markers in the other honeys analysed, so they could be useful markers. Plant-origin markers Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Flavonoid markers of botanical origin Limitations: Lab chemistry from 2000; no health outcome; it is not known if the markers come from the nectar. Funding and conflicts: None declared in the record. Read: abstract |
| Matuszewska-Mach 2025 Ensuring the Safe Use of Bee Products: A Review of Allergic Risks and Management. International journal of molecular sciences · PMID 41465502 · DOI |
Narrative review |
Literature on allergy to honeybee products (honey, pollen, bee bread, royal jelly, propolis, beeswax, bee brood) | Honeybee products honey and other bee products |
Bee products can provoke allergic reactions from localised dermatitis to life-threatening anaphylaxis, although relatively rarely. Individuals with atopy and beekeepers are at heightened risk. Management is avoidance, education and clearer labelling. Rare but can be severe Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Allergic reactions, mechanisms, at-risk groups Limitations: Narrative review; all bee products, not honey alone or eucalyptus honey. Funding and conflicts: The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Read: abstract |
| Norouzzadeh 2025 Dosage exploration of the effects of honey and its derivatives on cardiometabolic outcomes: an overview of systematic reviews and GRADE-assessed updated meta-analysis. Nutrition & diabetes · PMID 41261111 · DOI |
Meta-analysis |
3544 69 randomised trials (3,544 people) of honey, royal jelly and propolis on cardiometabolic outcomes |
Honey (and royal jelly, propolis) honey (types not stated in the abstract) 10 g of honey daily is the amount the abstract reports effects for Not given · vs Controls in the included trials |
Honey at 10 g a day may lower HbA1c but adversely affect systolic blood pressure, AST, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. The authors say long-term or high-dose honey in people with health concerns warrants caution. Mixed: possible HbA1c lowering, possible worsening of several markers Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: HbA1c, blood pressure, AST, triglycerides, fasting glucose, hs-CRP Limitations: Honey types not separated; mixes honey with royal jelly and propolis findings. Funding and conflicts: The authors declare no competing interests. Read: abstract |
| Oduwole 2018 Honey for acute cough in children. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · PMID 29633783 · DOI |
Systematic review |
899 Six randomised trials in 899 children aged 12 months to 18 years with acute cough, treated in outpatient settings |
Honey (types not separated in the abstract) versus no treatment, placebo, or cough medicines honey Not given in the abstract Mostly one night · vs No treatment, placebo, dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine, salbutamol, bromelin |
Honey probably reduced cough frequency more than no treatment (moderate-certainty) and more than placebo (moderate-certainty); similar to dextromethorphan (low-certainty). Giving honey for up to three days probably helped more than placebo; beyond three days there was probably no advantage. More stomach symptoms were reported with honey than placebo in two trials (moderate-certainty). The authors say there was no strong evidence for or against honey. Probably a small cough benefit for a few days; no strong evidence (Versus placebo: MD -1.62, 95% CI -3.02 to -0.22; versus no treatment: MD -1.05, 95% CI -1.48 to -0.62) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Cough frequency, severity, bother and sleep, mostly on 7-point scales Limitations: Most children had one night of treatment; two studies at high risk of bias; honey types not separated. Funding and conflicts: Authors declared none known. Read: abstract |
| Rivera-Pérez 2024 Identifying Key Markers for Monofloral (Eucalyptus, Rosemary, and Orange Blossom) and Multifloral Honey Differentiation in the Spanish Market by UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry Fingerprinting and Chemometrics. Foods (Basel, Switzerland) · PMID 39272519 · DOI |
Lab analysis lab |
Eucalyptus, rosemary, orange blossom and multifloral honeys sold in Spain | UHPLC-Orbitrap mass spectrometry fingerprinting honey Lab · vs Other honey types |
Some Amadori compounds were highlighted as eucalyptus honey markers, suggesting their potential use for honey ageing and botanical origin differentiation. The study identified novel markers for each honey type. Origin markers Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Markers that separate botanical origins Limitations: Lab method; no health outcome. Funding and conflicts: The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Read: abstract |
| Rocha Filho 2026 Pharmacovigilance and toxicological risks associated with apitherapeutic products: a systematic overview. Archives of toxicology · PMID 41071287 · DOI |
Systematic review |
Literature and pharmacovigilance databases on honey, bee venom, propolis, royal jelly, bee pollen and beeswax | Apitherapeutic products honey and other bee products |
Reported cases included infant botulism and grayanotoxin poisoning linked to honey, anaphylaxis with bee venom, contact dermatitis with propolis, asthma attacks after royal jelly, and adulterated pollen supplements. Allergic responses were the most prevalent adverse event, particularly in atopic individuals. Allergy most common; infant botulism and grayanotoxin poisoning documented for honey Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Adverse effects and toxicological risks Limitations: Systematic overview of all bee products; no link to eucalyptus honey in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: The authors declare no relevant competing interests. Read: abstract |
| Sezer Kürkçü 2026 Cytotoxic and antibacterial potential of Eucalyptus honey: in vitro assessment on human cancer cell lines and bacterial strains. International journal of environmental health research · PMID 42341007 · DOI |
Laboratory research lab |
Eucalyptus honey (Eucalyptus camaldulensis the main pollen, 47%) tested on six bacterial strains and six human cancer cell lines in dishes | Eucalyptus honey versus artificial honey honey Concentration-dependent 48 and 72 hours (cell tests) · vs Artificial honey |
Staphylococcus aureus most susceptible (22 mm inhibition zone); moderate inhibition of E. coli, P. aeruginosa, B. subtilis and E. faecalis; Micrococcus luteus resistant. MIC50 1.69% to 15.36%, MBC 6.25% to 50%. Artificial honey weaker, no bactericidal effect. 72-hour IC50 0.55% (pharyngeal carcinoma) and 1.85% (osteosarcoma); mesothelioma cells resistant. Antibacterial and cytotoxic effects in dishes only Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Inhibition zones, MIC50, MBC, MTT cell viability (IC50) Limitations: Lab only; one honey sample; no animals or people. Funding and conflicts: No competing interests stated in the record. Read: abstract |
| Silva 2025 Portuguese Monofloral Honeys: Molecular Insights and Biochemical Characterization. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) · PMID 40333886 · DOI |
Lab analysis lab |
Portuguese monofloral honeys (including Eucalyptus spp., Arouca) tested for phenols and antioxidant capacity | Chemical testing of honeys honey Lab · vs Other monofloral honeys |
Honeydew honey had the highest phenols and highest DPPH and FRAP values. In the ABTS assay, honey from Eucalyptus spp. (Arouca) had the highest value. ISSR markers helped separate honeys by botanical origin. Eucalyptus honey highest on one antioxidant test Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Phenols, flavonoids, DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, ISSR markers Limitations: Lab chemistry; one eucalyptus sample; no human outcome. Funding and conflicts: One author is employed by the beekeeping company APISMAIA; the others declare no commercial or financial relationships. Read: abstract |
| Timm Brun 2026 Honey vs. pharmacological treatment for acute cough in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. European journal of pediatrics · PMID 42671586 · DOI |
Meta-analysis |
576 576 children (305 given honey) with acute cough, mean age 3 to 5, in 6 trials in the meta-analysis (7 in the review) |
Honey versus pharmacological cough treatment honey (types not stated in the abstract) Not given in the abstract Follow-up up to 3 days · vs Pharmacological treatments including dextromethorphan |
The primary analysis showed high heterogeneity and no significant differences for most endpoints, except cough effect on child's sleep (MD -0.73, 95% CI -1.45 to -0.01). After post-hoc sensitivity analysis honey improved all outcomes. The authors call the findings hypothesis-generating rather than definitive. Mostly no difference in the main analysis; a possible honey benefit in post-hoc analyses (Sleep: MD -0.73, 95% CI -1.45 to -0.01) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Cough frequency, severity, bother, and effect on sleep of child and caregivers Limitations: Post-hoc analysis; short follow-up; high heterogeneity; honey types not given. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no competing interests. Registration: PROSPERO CRD420261356244 Read: abstract |
| n/a 2023 WHO: Botulism (fact sheet, 25 September 2023) n/a · Source |
Authoritative guidance n/a |
n/a | n/a |
Infant botulism symptoms listed: constipation, loss of appetite, weakness, an altered cry and a striking loss of head control. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Describes infant botulism: spores swallowed by an infant can grow in the gut and release toxin; spore-contaminated honey has been associated with a number of cases; parents and caregivers are warned not to feed honey to infants before 1 year. Spores are heat-resistant. Limitations: A regulator's fact sheet, not a trial. It does not mention eucalyptus honey. Read: full-text |
| n/a 2026 NHS: Botulism (page reviewed 04 March 2026) n/a · Source |
Authoritative guidance n/a |
n/a | n/a |
Call 999 if you think your child may have symptoms of botulism or is limp or floppy. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Do not give honey to babies younger than 12 months. Symptoms in babies include being quieter or less active, constant sleepiness and a limp or floppy head, neck, arms or legs. Limitations: A health-service page, not a trial. It does not mention eucalyptus honey. Read: full-text |
| n/a 2026 WHO: Healthy diet (fact sheet, 26 January 2026) n/a · Source |
Authoritative guidance n/a |
n/a | n/a |
Honey counts as a free sugar. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Free sugars include sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, fruit juices and fruit juice concentrates; WHO advises reducing free sugar intake. Limitations: A general diet fact sheet; it does not discuss eucalyptus honey. Read: full-text |
| n/a 2026 GBIF species match: Eucalyptus camaldulensis Denham (key 11869920) n/a · Source |
Database n/a |
n/a | n/a |
Plant name verified on 2026-10-25. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Accepted species in family Myrtaceae, order Myrtales (exact match). Genus Eucalyptus L'Hér. is accepted (key 7493935). Limitations: A name database, not a health source. Read: api |
What we do not know yet
- No trial of eucalyptus honey in people for cough, blood sugar, wounds, infection or any other outcome was found.
- General honey reviews do not separate honey types in their abstracts.
- Eucalyptus-specific findings come from single honey samples in the lab.
- No information on eucalyptus honey in pregnancy, breastfeeding or with medicines was found.
- No source tested eucalyptus honey for pesticides, antibiotics or metals, and no rate of fraud was found; the health meaning of its alkaloid levels is not stated.
How new research is added
New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and are placed in a review queue. A person reads each one before it is added.
Lab markers
What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".
Other 5
Cough frequency (symptom scale)
Lowered in trials
A parent-rated score of how often a child coughs, most often on a 7-point scale where lower means better.
Mixed findingsResults and what it means
Why it was measured
To see whether a treatment changes how much a child coughs.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Small improvements on a symptom scale; not shown for eucalyptus honey.
Safety implication
Children 12 months and over only.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Honey probably lowered the score more than no treatment or placebo; similar to dextromethorphan. | Children aged 12 months to 18 years with acute cough | Honey (types not separated) versus no treatment, placebo or medicines, mostly one night |
| 1 | Honey lowered cough frequency more than usual care (SMD -0.36). | People with upper respiratory tract infections | Honey versus usual care |
Effect of cough on the child's sleep
Lowered in trials
A parent-rated score of how much the cough disturbed the child's sleep.
Low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Night-time cough is what worries parents most.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Borderline result; other endpoints were not significant in the main analysis.
Safety implication
Children 12 months and over only.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Lower with honey than with cough medicines in the main analysis (MD -0.73, 95% CI -1.45 to -0.01). | 576 children in the meta-analysis | Honey versus pharmacological treatment, up to 3 days |
HbA1c (average blood sugar over about 3 months)
Lowered in trials
A blood test that reflects average blood sugar over the past two to three months.
Mixed findingsResults and what it means
Why it was measured
To see whether honey changes long-term blood sugar.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
A possible small lowering; other markers may worsen.
Safety implication
Honey is a free sugar; ask a doctor or pharmacist if you manage blood sugar.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | About 10 g of honey a day may lower HbA1c, while other markers may worsen. | Participants in 69 trials of honey and other bee products | Honey of mixed types |
Fasting blood glucose
Mixed results in trials
Blood sugar after not eating for several hours.
Mixed findingsResults and what it means
Why it was measured
A quick marker of how the body handles sugar.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Two reviews disagree.
Safety implication
Not tested for eucalyptus honey.
Time for partial-thickness burns to heal
Lowered in trials
Days until a burn that reaches part of the skin layer has healed.
Moderate certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
The main wound-healing outcome in the trials.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
A clear difference in healing time for this one type of burn, in dressing trials.
Safety implication
Medical dressings under clinical care, not jar honey.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Honey dressings healed these burns 4.68 days faster than conventional dressings. | 992 people in 2 trials | Honey dressings versus conventional dressings |
Safety
What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.
Main points to know 6
- Never give honey to a baby under 12 months (infant botulism). WHO and the NHS say not to give honey to babies before 12 months. Honey can carry spores of the bacterium that causes botulism. In a baby the spores can grow in the gut and release a toxin. This is rare, but it is serious. A 2026 review found honey was the only consistently confirmed food source of infant botulism, and that deaths were below 1% when babies got intensive care and specific treatment. This applies to eucalyptus honey and every other honey. WHO says the spores are heat-resistant, so raw, filtered, creamed or heated honey is not safer. We found no source that says eucalyptus honey is safer or riskier than other honeys. Authoritative guidance 17 18 2
- Honey is a sugar food. WHO counts the sugars naturally present in honey as free sugars, which it says should be limited. Trials of honey in general give mixed blood-sugar results: a possible lower HbA1c, but possible worse fasting glucose, blood pressure, triglycerides, a liver enzyme (AST) and an inflammation marker at about 10 g a day. Eucalyptus honey has not been tested for these. People who manage blood sugar should ask a doctor or pharmacist. Authoritative guidance 19 10 6
- Allergic reactions are rare but can be severe. Bee products, honey included, can trigger reactions from skin rashes to life-threatening anaphylaxis. People with atopy (an allergic tendency) and beekeepers are at higher risk. Allergy was the most common adverse event reported for bee products in a 2026 safety overview. Not specific to eucalyptus honey. Review 9 13
- Jar honey is not a wound dressing. The honey wound trials used honey dressings under care, not jar honey, and for most wound types the evidence is low quality. Do not use food honey instead of medical care for a wound or burn. Review 7
- Natural plant toxins can turn up in honey. In a 2025 study of 80 honeys, 61% contained at least one pyrrolizidine alkaloid (plant toxins). Eucalyptus and wildflower honeys showed the highest levels, up to 27 micrograms per kg as the sum of regulated alkaloids. The abstract does not say how many eucalyptus samples there were or what the health effect of those levels is. Lab analysis 5
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding and young children. No source we read describes eucalyptus honey in pregnancy or breastfeeding, and lack of information is not proof of safety. Ask a doctor, midwife or pharmacist. Never give honey to the baby. Children from 12 months were included in the cough trials. Insufficient 17 11
Side effects 4
| Effect | How often | Severity and recovery | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant botulism (babies under 12 months) Honey is the only consistently confirmed food source. Applies to every honey. | Rare; about 130 cases a year in the USA in one global review | severe Mortality below 1% with intensive care and specific treatment; hospital care is needed | Review 17 2 |
| Allergic reactions (skin to anaphylaxis) Higher risk in people with atopy and in beekeepers. Not specific to eucalyptus honey. | Relatively rare | mild to severe Varies; avoid the product | Review 9 13 |
| Stomach symptoms, restlessness and sleep problems in children Honey in general, children from 12 months. | In the Cochrane cough review, 34 of the honey group (12%) and 13 of the placebo group (11%) had stomach symptoms; 7 children (9.3%) given honey had nervousness, insomnia or hyperactivity versus 2 (2.7%) given dextromethorphan | mild Not described | Review 11 |
| Worse blood sugar, blood pressure, triglycerides, AST and hs-CRP with regular honey At about 10 g of honey a day in trials of honey in general; also a possible lower HbA1c. | Not given | not graded Not described | Review 10 |
Liver
No report of liver injury from eucalyptus honey was found in the sources read. A 2025 overview of trials reported that about 10 g of honey a day may adversely affect AST, a liver enzyme (honey types not stated). 10
How often. No rate could be found.
Monitoring. No agency monitoring advice was read.
This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Eucalyptus Honey supports liver health.
Medicines and supplements 2
| With | Why it matters | Importance | Evidence | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glucose-lowering medicines and insulin prescription | Honey is a sugar food and may change blood sugar. | Honey trials give mixed blood-sugar results; no interaction study with diabetes medicines was read. | Pharmacological theory Not enough evidence 10 6 | Ask a doctor or pharmacist before adding honey regularly if you take glucose-lowering medicines. |
| Any medicine, herb or supplement (general) other | Not described. | No source read reports an interaction between eucalyptus honey and any medicine. | None found Not enough evidence | Absence of reports is not proof of safety. Ask a pharmacist if you take regular medicines. |
Who should check first 5
| Situation | Advice | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Babies under 12 months | Do not give honey in any form. | Authoritative guidance 17 18 2 |
| Known allergy to bee products or honey | Avoid. People with atopy and beekeepers should take extra care. | Review 9 |
| Diabetes or blood sugar problems | Honey is a free sugar. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using it regularly. | Authoritative guidance 19 10 |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | No information on eucalyptus honey was found. Ask a doctor, midwife or pharmacist. | Insufficient |
| Open wounds or burns | Do not use jar honey in place of medical care. | Review 7 |
Overdose, product quality and regulators
Summary. Honey is a food. No source read reports toxicity from eucalyptus honey. Poisoning with a plant toxin (grayanotoxin) is described for honey in general in one safety overview; nothing links it to eucalyptus honey in the sources read.
Animal. No animal toxicity study of eucalyptus honey was read.
Human doses studied. Not given as advice here.
High dose or long term signals. A 2025 overview says long-term or high-dose honey in people with health concerns warrants caution.
Overdose response. Not described in the sources read.
Genotoxicity. Not studied in the sources read.
Two quality problems are documented for honey in general: natural plant toxins (pyrrolizidine alkaloids) and adulteration with cheaper syrups. Eucalyptus honey was among the honeys with the highest alkaloid levels in one study.
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids. In 80 honeys, 61% had at least one pyrrolizidine alkaloid. Eucalyptus and wildflower honeys had the highest levels, up to 27 micrograms per kg (sum of regulated alkaloids). Indicine and lycopsamine, linked to Echium plants, were most often found. The abstract gives no health effect. 5
Adulteration with corn syrup. A Uruguayan study of 47 pasture and 42 eucalyptus honeys used carbon isotope readings to tell the two honey types apart (90% of training samples correctly assigned) and said the same data could show adulteration with high-fructose corn syrup using a stricter local cut-off than the international limit. 3
Quality and authenticity in general. A 2020 review of eucalyptus honey says it can suffer contamination and adulteration that compromise quality, safety and authenticity. The abstract gives no rates. 4
Spores of Clostridium botulinum. Spores are heat-resistant (WHO), so raw, filtered or heated honey is not safer for babies. 17
Pesticides, antibiotics and heavy metals. No source read tests eucalyptus honey for these.
| Body | Action | Date |
|---|---|---|
| World Health Organization (International) | Botulism fact sheet: parents and caregivers are warned not to feed honey to infants before 1 year; spores are heat-resistant. source | 2023-09-25 |
| NHS (England) (United Kingdom) | Do not give honey to babies younger than 12 months. Call 999 if a child is limp or floppy. source | 2026-03-04 |
| World Health Organization (International) | Healthy diet fact sheet: free sugars include sugars naturally present in honey and should be limited. source | 2026-01-26 |
When to get medical help
- A baby under 12 months who has had honey and has constipation, a weak cry, poor feeding, is unusually sleepy, or has a limp or floppy head, neck, arms or legs: get emergency medical help now (in the UK the NHS says call 999).
- Trouble breathing, swelling of the face, lips or throat, or widespread hives after eating honey or another bee product: get emergency medical help.
Stop using the product and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.
General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is eucalyptus honey safe for babies?
What is eucalyptus honey?
Does eucalyptus honey help a cough or cold?
Does it taste of menthol or clear the chest?
The cool, menthol-like taste is a common description, but no source we read confirms it. The cough research is about honey in general, not eucalyptus honey.
Is eucalyptus honey good for people with diabetes?
Is eucalyptus honey healthier than sugar?
Can I put eucalyptus honey on a wound or burn?
Do not use jar honey instead of medical care. In trials, honey dressings healed partial-thickness burns faster than conventional dressings, but the review does not name eucalyptus honey and honey dressings are medical products. See a clinician for wounds and burns.
Is eucalyptus honey antibacterial or anti-cancer?
Only in lab dishes. A 2026 Turkish study found eucalyptus honey slowed several bacteria and harmed some cancer cell lines in dishes. That does not show any effect in people, and honey is not a treatment for infection or cancer.
Can eucalyptus honey cause an allergic reaction?
Is raw eucalyptus honey safer or better?
Not for babies: the spores that cause infant botulism are heat-resistant, so raw and heated honey carry the same risk. We found no trial comparing raw and processed eucalyptus honey.
Can honey contain natural toxins?
Sometimes. A 2025 lab survey found 61% of 80 honeys had at least one pyrrolizidine alkaloid, with eucalyptus and wildflower honeys among the highest. The abstract does not say what the levels mean for health.
Is eucalyptus honey safe in pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
No source we read describes eucalyptus honey in pregnancy or breastfeeding, and lack of information is not proof of safety. Ask a doctor, midwife or pharmacist. Never give honey to the baby.
Explore by health goal
Editorial transparency
- Written by
- AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against PubMed records.
- Medical review
- None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
- First published
- 2026-10-25
- Last substantive update
- 2026-10-25
- How we research
- We read the abstracts of 16 PubMed papers, the WHO botulism and healthy-diet fact sheets and the NHS botulism page in full, checked the plant and bee names in GBIF and six flavonoids in PubChem. Certainty ratings are the compiler's own reading unless a review gives its own. The CDC page was not opened and is not cited as checked.
- How we rate evidence
- See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
- Independence
- No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown.
Sources 20
Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.
- Abuelgasim H, Albury C, Lee J. Effectiveness of honey for symptomatic relief in upper respiratory tract infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. BMJ evidence-based medicine. 2021. PMID 32817011. DOI 10.1136/bmjebm-2020-111336. (abstract)
- Aricò MO, Caselli D, Stefanizzi P, et al. Infant Botulism and Honey Exposure: Global Epidemiology, Prevention Policies, and Communication Strategies.. Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992). 2026. PMID 41964486. DOI 10.1111/apa.70538. (abstract)
- Berriel V, Perdomo CH. Differentiating pasture honey from eucalyptus honey based on carbon isotopic data in Uruguay.. Heliyon. 2019. PMID 30899822. DOI 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e01228. (abstract)
- Bobis O, Moise AR, Ballesteros I, et al. Eucalyptus honey: Quality parameters, chemical composition and health-promoting properties.. Food chemistry. 2020. PMID 32387927. DOI 10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.126870. (abstract)
- Carbonell-Rozas L, Belmonte-Sánchez JR, Soto-Rosiña P, et al. Holistic Approach to Investigate Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids in Honeys from Diverse Botanical Origin: From Target to Suspect and Nontarget Screening Analysis.. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry. 2025. PMID 40586875. DOI 10.1021/acs.jafc.5c05585. (abstract)
- Guntari P, Junaida A, Eny P, et al. Fructose-containing sugars and metabolic risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. Food & nutrition research. 2025. PMID 41323133. DOI 10.29219/fnr.v69.11062. (abstract)
- Jull AB, Cullum N, Dumville JC, et al. Honey as a topical treatment for wounds.. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews. 2015. PMID 25742878. DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD005083.pub4. (abstract)
- Martos I, Ferreres F, Tomás-Barberán FA. Identification of flavonoid markers for the botanical origin of Eucalyptus honey.. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry. 2000. PMID 10820049. DOI 10.1021/jf991166q. (abstract)
- Matuszewska-Mach E, Borysewicz P, Królak J, et al. Ensuring the Safe Use of Bee Products: A Review of Allergic Risks and Management.. International journal of molecular sciences. 2025. PMID 41465502. DOI 10.3390/ijms262412074. (abstract)
- Norouzzadeh M, Barazandeh S, Hasan Rashedi M, et al. Dosage exploration of the effects of honey and its derivatives on cardiometabolic outcomes: an overview of systematic reviews and GRADE-assessed updated meta-analysis.. Nutrition & diabetes. 2025. PMID 41261111. DOI 10.1038/s41387-025-00403-9. (abstract)
- Oduwole O, Udoh EE, Oyo-Ita A, et al. Honey for acute cough in children.. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews. 2018. PMID 29633783. DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD007094.pub5. (abstract)
- Rivera-Pérez A, Navarro-Herrera AM, Garrido Frenich A. Identifying Key Markers for Monofloral (Eucalyptus, Rosemary, and Orange Blossom) and Multifloral Honey Differentiation in the Spanish Market by UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry Fingerprinting and Chemometrics.. Foods (Basel, Switzerland). 2024. PMID 39272519. DOI 10.3390/foods13172755. (abstract)
- Rocha Filho LKA, Silva GI, Silva MS. Pharmacovigilance and toxicological risks associated with apitherapeutic products: a systematic overview.. Archives of toxicology. 2026. PMID 41071287. DOI 10.1007/s00204-025-04218-6. (abstract)
- Sezer Kürkçü M, Babayeva A, Dibek E, et al. Cytotoxic and antibacterial potential of Eucalyptus honey: in vitro assessment on human cancer cell lines and bacterial strains.. International journal of environmental health research. 2026. PMID 42341007. DOI 10.1080/09603123.2026.2690590. (abstract)
- Silva M, Maia M, Carvalho M, et al. Portuguese Monofloral Honeys: Molecular Insights and Biochemical Characterization.. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). 2025. PMID 40333886. DOI 10.3390/molecules30081808. (abstract)
- Timm Brun M, Abreu Vianna Braga MC, Teixeira Ferraz Grunewald S. Honey vs. pharmacological treatment for acute cough in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.. European journal of pediatrics. 2026. PMID 42671586. DOI 10.1007/s00431-026-07348-w. (abstract)
- n/a. WHO: Botulism (fact sheet, 25 September 2023). n/a. 2023. (full-text)
- n/a. NHS: Botulism (page reviewed 04 March 2026). n/a. 2026. (full-text)
- n/a. WHO: Healthy diet (fact sheet, 26 January 2026). n/a. 2026. (full-text)
- n/a. GBIF species match: Eucalyptus camaldulensis Denham (key 11869920). n/a. 2026. (api)
Where to buy
Check the label first. Whatever you buy, look for these:
- Raw or pasteurized, and the single flower source if stated
- Origin and any lab testing the seller shares
- Not for infants under 12 months
- A sealed jar with a packed-on date
Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before you start any supplement, especially if you take medicines. See the Safety tab for interactions.
Support our free guides: as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure.
