From Hive to Health: Anti‐Influenza Properties of Bee Products

Bee products have been long adapted as a natural remedy since centuries ago and studied for their bioactive properties including antimicrobial, anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. Viral infections, including influenza, remain a significant global public health complication signifying the urgency for the development of alternative and complementary therapeutic antiviral approaches. Bee products, such as honey, bee venom, propolis, and bee bread, have been investigated for their potential antiviral properties against the influenza virus. The existing research findings reported promising immunomodulatory properties including the enhancement of immune responses and inhibition of viral replication, contributing to its antiviral properties through multiple mechanisms. However, most available evidence is derived from in vitro and in vivo studies, whereby the underlying mechanisms still remain not fully grasped and require further investigation. Therefore, further studies are required to understand the underlying mechanisms while evaluating the safety and clinical relevance of bee‐derived products on humans. In this literature review, key studies of bee‐derived products are highlighted to elucidate the potential antiviral effects of bee products against the influenza virus.