Researchers tested whether extracts from four types of medicinal mushrooms could help honey bees stay healthier and live longer. They fed different groups of bees either mushroom extracts or regular sugar water, then measured their immune system strength over three weeks. Bees that received mushroom supplements, especially one called Inonotus obliquus, showed stronger immune systems and lived longer than bees without the supplements. This discovery could help beekeepers protect their colonies from diseases and stress.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether feeding honey bees extracts from four different medicinal mushrooms would improve their health, immune strength, and lifespan
  • Who participated: Carniolan honey bees (a specific European breed), divided into groups that received different mushroom extracts or control diets over a 21-day period
  • Key finding: Bees fed Ganoderma lucidum mushroom extract lived 16.4% longer than untreated bees, and all mushroom-fed bees showed significantly stronger immune markers after 14-21 days
  • What it means for you: If you keep bees or care about bee health, mushroom supplements may offer a natural way to strengthen bee colonies against disease and stress, though more research is needed to confirm long-term benefits and best practices

The Research Details

Scientists divided honey bees into separate groups and gave some groups different mushroom extracts mixed into their food, while other bees received only sugar water as a control. They collected samples of bee blood (called haemolymph) at three time points—after 7, 14, and 21 days—to measure immune system activity and health markers. The researchers tested four mushroom types: Ganoderma lucidum, Hericium erinaceus, Inonotus obliquus, and Trametes versicolor. These mushrooms were chosen because previous studies showed they have natural disease-fighting and antioxidant properties. The scientists measured specific proteins and enzymes in the bee blood that indicate immune strength and overall metabolic health.

This research approach is important because it directly tests whether natural substances can improve bee health in a controlled way. By measuring immune markers at multiple time points, researchers could see how the mushroom extracts worked over time rather than just looking at one moment. This helps determine whether the effects were temporary or lasting, and which mushroom type worked best.

The study was published in Scientific Reports, a reputable peer-reviewed journal, which means other scientists reviewed the work before publication. The researchers used standardized laboratory measurements to assess immune function, making results objective and reproducible. However, the abstract doesn’t specify the exact number of bees tested, which would help readers understand the study’s scope. The study focused on one bee breed (Carniolan), so results may not apply equally to all honey bee types.

What the Results Show

The most striking result was that bees fed Ganoderma lucidum lived 16.4% longer than bees that received no mushroom supplement—this difference was very statistically significant (p < 0.0001, meaning there’s less than a 0.01% chance this happened by random chance). All four mushroom extracts increased the activity of protective proteins called antioxidants in the bees’ blood. These antioxidants include SOD, CAT, GPx, and GST—enzymes that protect cells from damage. The bees showed the strongest immune responses after 14 and 21 days of eating mushroom supplements, suggesting the benefits built up over time rather than appearing immediately. Metabolic markers (proteins that show how well the body is functioning) also increased significantly in mushroom-fed bees.

Among all the mushroom types tested, Inonotus obliquus produced the highest levels of immune markers and antioxidants in the bees. This suggests it may be the most potent option, though all four mushrooms showed benefits. The timing of benefits was important: changes weren’t obvious at 7 days, but became clear by day 14 and stronger by day 21, indicating that the supplements need time to build up in the bees’ systems.

Previous research had shown that these four mushroom types have antimicrobial (germ-fighting) and antioxidant properties in laboratory studies, and that they can help fight viral infections. This study confirms that these benefits translate to living organisms—specifically honey bees—which is an important step forward. The findings align with growing interest in using natural substances to support bee health as an alternative to synthetic treatments.

The study doesn’t specify how many bees were tested, making it difficult to assess whether the sample size was large enough to draw firm conclusions. The research only tested one breed of honey bee (Carniolan), so results may differ in other bee species or breeds. The study measured immune markers in the blood but didn’t test whether the bees actually resisted real diseases better. The research was conducted in laboratory conditions, which may not reflect how bees would respond to these supplements in natural hive environments with all their complexities.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, mushroom extracts—particularly Inonotus obliquus—appear promising for supporting honey bee health and longevity. However, these findings are preliminary and should be considered suggestive rather than definitive. Beekeepers interested in trying this approach should start with small-scale trials and monitor results carefully. More research is needed to determine optimal dosages, long-term safety, cost-effectiveness, and whether benefits hold up in real-world hive conditions.

Beekeepers, bee researchers, and anyone concerned about bee health and colony survival should find this relevant. Commercial beekeeping operations facing disease pressures might be particularly interested. However, individual consumers shouldn’t expect to directly use these supplements without professional guidance, as proper dosing and application methods for bees require expertise.

Based on this study, benefits appear to develop gradually over 2-3 weeks rather than immediately. Beekeepers would likely need to provide supplements for at least two weeks before expecting to see measurable improvements in colony health markers. Long-term effects beyond 21 days remain unknown.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If using a bee health app, track weekly measurements of colony strength indicators (such as brood patterns, bee population counts, and disease observations) before and after introducing mushroom supplements, recording dates and dosages used
  • Users could set a reminder to add measured mushroom extract supplements to bee feeders on a consistent weekly schedule, logging the type of mushroom extract used and the amount administered to each hive
  • Establish a baseline of colony health metrics (population size, disease presence, winter survival rates) for 4-8 weeks before supplementation, then continue tracking the same metrics for at least 8-12 weeks after starting supplements to detect meaningful changes

This research is preliminary and published findings should not be considered medical advice for bees or a substitute for professional veterinary guidance. Mushroom extracts have not been approved by regulatory agencies for bee use. Beekeepers should consult with local agricultural extension services or bee health professionals before implementing new supplement protocols. Individual results may vary based on bee breed, environmental conditions, and hive management practices. This study measured immune markers in laboratory conditions; real-world effectiveness in preventing disease or improving colony survival remains to be demonstrated.