Natural Ingredients for "Immune Support": Honey, Propolis, Elderberry and Others Checked
Honey, propolis, elderberry and echinacea are marketed for immune support. See what trials of colds found, the allergy and poisoning warnings, and why immunity cannot be boosted by a product.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Natural products can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read natural ingredient safety before you use anything on this page.
Bee products can cause severe allergic reactions. In an Italian surveillance report of 18 suspected reactions to propolis products, 16 were allergic, six people went to a hospital or emergency department, and in two a life-threatening event was reported. [1] The authors said propolis should not be used by people with an allergic predisposition, in particular an allergy to pollen. [1] Swelling of the face or throat or trouble breathing needs 911. Raw or unripe elderberries, and the leaves and stem of the elder tree, contain poisonous cyanide-producing substances that can cause nausea, vomiting and severe diarrhea. [2] For a poisoning question, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222.
The claim, as marketed
Honey, propolis, elderberry and echinacea are often sold as "immune support" or "immune boosters." The immune system is a balanced network, not a dial to turn up, and a product that "boosts" it is a marketing idea rather than a measured result; see how the immune system works. NCCIH notes that echinacea products are promoted for colds based on the idea that certain species may stimulate the immune system. [3] What can be checked is narrower: do people who use these ingredients get fewer or shorter colds in trials? Traditional use of these ingredients is described in their own pages and is not proof.What research found
| Ingredient and use | What the source found | Strength of evidence | Who and what was studied |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honey for cough and cold symptoms | Reviews found honey probably eases cough in children more than no treatment or placebo, but mostly for about a night to a few days. [4] A review of upper respiratory infections said better placebo-controlled trials are needed. [5] See natural ingredients for cough and sore throat. | Promising but limited | Children over 12 months for the cough review; never for babies under 12 months |
| Propolis oral spray for mild upper respiratory infection | In a randomized placebo-controlled trial of 122 adults, 83% of the propolis group had remission of symptoms after 3 days, while 72% of the placebo group still had at least one symptom. [6] | Promising but limited | A single-center trial of a standardized poplar-type propolis spray, not other propolis products [6] |
| Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) for colds and flu | NCCIH says some preliminary research suggests elderberry may relieve symptoms of flu, colds or other upper respiratory infections. [2] A meta-analysis of 180 participants reported reduced symptoms. [7] | Promising but limited | Elderberry supplements; very small total numbers |
| Elderberry for COVID-19 | NCCIH says there is no good evidence to support its use, and that the FDA and Federal Trade Commission took action against unsubstantiated claims. [2] | Marketing claim, no good evidence of benefit | Not applicable |
| Echinacea (Echinacea species) to prevent or treat colds | A Cochrane review of 24 double-blind trials (4,631 participants) found echinacea products had not been shown to benefit treatment of colds, with a possible weak benefit in prevention. [8] NCCIH says echinacea may slightly reduce the chance of catching a cold, and that it is unclear whether it shortens a cold. [3] | Mixed | Preparations from different species and plant parts; results do not transfer between products [8] |
| Any of these to "boost" immune function in healthy people | Proper evidence not found. The studies above measure colds and cold symptoms. We searched PubMed for echinacea, elderberry and propolis trials and did not find a trial showing that any of them improves immune function as a health outcome in healthy people. | Insufficient evidence | Not applicable |
What a reader can safely do
Mainstream habits for immune health are covered on habits for immune health. See a clinician for frequent or severe infections, as described in immune wellness safety. Plant profiles: elderberry and echinacea. Bee product profiles: propolis and honey.Frequently asked questions
Can any natural ingredient boost my immune system?
We did not find a trial showing that any of these ingredients improves immune function in healthy people; the trials measure colds and cold symptoms.
Does elderberry help colds?
NCCIH says preliminary research suggests it may relieve symptoms, and says there is no good evidence for COVID-19. [2]
Does echinacea prevent colds?
Evidence is mixed: Cochrane found a possible weak benefit in prevention, and NCCIH says it may slightly reduce the chance of catching a cold. [8][3]
Is propolis safe?
It can cause serious allergic reactions in some people, especially those allergic to pollen. [1]
Can I give elderberry or honey to a baby?
No honey under 12 months. Ask a pediatric clinician about any supplement for a child; NCCIH says rashes occurred in some children given echinacea in a trial. [3]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
How to read these results
- The elderberry meta-analysis pooled only 180 people, and the propolis result is a single trial. Treat both as early signals. [7][6]
- One author of a cited honey review discloses being a hobby beekeeper, which is worth knowing but does not change the data. [5]
- The Cochrane echinacea review notes that products sold under that name differ widely in plant material and extraction. [8]
Safety, and who should ask first
- Allergy and cross-reaction: echinacea is closely related to sunflowers, daisies and ragweed, and NCCIH says some people have allergic reactions to it, which may be severe. [3] Some children in a trial developed rashes. [3] See bee product allergy warning signs.
- Immune-suppressing medicines and immune conditions: NCCIH says there are theoretical reasons echinacea might interact with immunosuppressants. [3] If you have an immune condition or take immune-suppressing medicine, ask the prescriber or pharmacist before any "immune" product. See immunodeficiency, autoimmune conditions and immunosuppression and medication interactions.
- Elderberry products: NCCIH says little is known about safety in pregnancy or breastfeeding, and that people on any medicine should talk with a provider. [2]
- Babies: no honey under 12 months. See honey and infant botulism.
- Surgery, liver and kidney conditions: not described for these ingredients in the sources we read, so we make no claim. Tell the surgical team about any product you use.
- Quality: supplement contents vary; see quality testing and certifications.
References
- Menniti-Ippolito F, Mazzanti G, Vitalone A, Firenzuoli F, Santuccio C. Surveillance of suspected adverse reactions to natural health products: the case of propolis. Drug Saf. 2008;31(5):419-23. PubMed 18422383. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH. Elderberry. National Institutes of Health. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH. Echinacea. National Institutes of Health. Read 2026-10-23.
- Oduwole O, Udoh EE, Oyo-Ita A, Meremikwu MM. Honey for acute cough in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;(4):CD007094. PubMed 29633783. Read 2026-10-23.
- Abuelgasim H, Albury C, Lee J. Effectiveness of honey for symptomatic relief in upper respiratory tract infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Evid Based Med. 2021;26(2):57-64. PubMed 32817011. One author discloses being a hobby beekeeper. Read 2026-10-23.
- Esposito C, Garzarella EU, Bocchino B, et al. A standardized polyphenol mixture extracted from poplar-type propolis for remission of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection (URTI): A monocentric, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytomedicine. 2021;80:153368. PubMed 33091857. Read 2026-10-23.
- Hawkins J, Baker C, Cherry L, Dunne E. Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) supplementation effectively treats upper respiratory symptoms: A meta-analysis of randomized, controlled clinical trials. Complement Ther Med. 2019;42:361-365. PubMed 30670267. Read 2026-10-23.
- Karsch-Völk M, Barrett B, Kiefer D, Bauer R, Ardjomand-Woelkart K, Linde K. Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;(2):CD000530. PubMed 24554461. Read 2026-10-23.