A new Thai study suggests that hemp extract and propolis, a resin made by bees, may work better together than alone when it comes to fighting common throat bacteria and calming inflammation.
For generations, people have reached for herbal remedies when a sore throat strikes — honey, herbal teas, plant extracts. Now scientists in Thailand believe they may have found a natural pairing that deserves serious attention: hemp and propolis.
A fresh laboratory study shows that when these two substances are combined, they not only slow the growth of harmful bacteria but also reduce inflammatory signals that make a sore throat feel swollen and painful.
And while this is still early-stage research, the results point toward a potential new type of throat spray built from ingredients that nature has been using for millions of years.
Why look for alternatives to standard sore-throat treatments?
Most sore throats are caused by bacteria such as Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. These microbes irritate the throat, trigger inflammation, and lead to that familiar burning or “razor blade” sensation when swallowing.
Doctors typically rely on antibiotics and over-the-counter painkillers to manage these symptoms.
But both approaches come with drawbacks:
- Antibiotic resistance continues to rise worldwide.
- NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) can irritate the stomach and kidneys if used repeatedly.
- Some patients simply prefer gentler, plant-based options.
That’s why researchers are revisiting traditional remedies — especially those already known to have antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory effects.
Two such candidates are hemp and propolis.
Hemp (Cannabis sativa)
Used in Thai traditional medicine for appetite, sleep, and respiratory problems. Its non-intoxicating compound CBD (cannabidiol) has gained global recognition for its ability to reduce inflammation.
Propolis
A sticky, reddish resin collected by bees from tree buds. Bees use it to disinfect their hives, and people have used it for centuries to heal wounds and soothe infections.
Both look promising on their own — but researchers wanted to know what would happen if they were strategically combined.
Inside the study: mixing hemp and propolis on purpose
Scientists from Chulalongkorn University prepared two extracts:
- a hemp extract, rich in CBD (around 57%) and very low in THC
- a Thai commercial propolis extract, high in plant-derived antioxidant compounds
Before testing them, the team verified the chemical fingerprints of each extract using thin-layer chromatography — essentially creating “ingredient maps” to ensure quality and consistency.
The main goals of the study were to test:
- How well the extracts stopped bacteria from growing
- How strongly they reduced inflammation in immune cells
- Whether combining them improved the results
- How safe the mixtures were for cells
What they found: hemp and propolis work best against classic throat bacteria
When used separately, both extracts were able to slow the growth of harmful bacteria, but hemp extract (thanks to CBD) was especially good at stopping Gram-positive bacteria, including Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus.
Gram-negative bacteria — often more difficult to treat — were much less affected.
But the real breakthrough came when the researchers mixed the two extracts.
They discovered that certain hemp–propolis mixtures produced an additive effect — meaning the two ingredients supported each other and worked better together than alone.
This effect appeared specifically against the throat-related bacteria:
- Streptococcus pyogenes
- Staphylococcus aureus
While not a full “synergy,” the improvement was clear and consistent.
For bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae, the combination didn’t make much difference — but those microbes are not usually the cause of sore throats.
Zooming in: CBD and THC show the strongest antibacterial activity
To understand which compounds were active, the team used a clever method called bioautography, which places bacteria directly onto a chemical separation plate.
Where bacteria failed to grow, the scientists could see which molecule caused the effect.
The strongest antibacterial zones matched:
- CBD (cannabidiol)
- Δ9-THC
These compounds were clearly the main antibacterial agents in the hemp extract.
Propolis, meanwhile, showed antibacterial action too — but the study suggests it comes from a complex mix of plant phenols, not a single dominant molecule.
Hemp + propolis also calm inflammation — a major source of throat pain
A sore throat is not just about bacteria. Much of the discomfort comes from the body’s own immune response, which releases inflammatory molecules such as:
- NO (nitric oxide)
- IL-6
- IL-8
- TNF-α
These substances amplify pain, swelling, heat and redness.
The researchers exposed immune cells to bacterial toxins (LPS) to simulate inflammation, then treated them with hemp, propolis, or mixtures of both.
The combinations outperformed the single extracts.
- They significantly reduced nitric oxide levels
- They sharply lowered inflammatory cytokines, particularly IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α
In fact, the mixture containing a low dose of CBD plus a moderate amount of propolis was more effective than either extract alone at the same dose.
This suggests that combining these natural substances could help not only fight bacteria but also soothe the inflammation that makes sore throats painful.
So… could this become a real throat spray?
Potentially — but not yet.
The results are encouraging, and the authors believe a cannabis–propolis throat spray is a realistic future application. But they also emphasize that this research was conducted in vitro, meaning in petri dishes and cell cultures, not in people.
Before a consumer product can be developed, scientists must:
- confirm the results in animals and humans
- ensure the mixture is safe for the liver and other organs
- determine ideal dosing
- comply with Thai medical cannabis regulations
Still, as antibiotic resistance grows and people search for gentler alternatives, this natural duo could one day offer a new kind of relief — combining the plant chemistry of hemp with the hive-built complexity of propolis.
Additional Reading
If you’d like to explore more science-backed cannabis research, check out our related reports:
- How THC may reshape the brain’s “pain filter” in people with fibromyalgia:
https://thecannex.com/thc-brain-pain-filter-fibromyalgia-study/ - A major genetics study uncovering links between cannabis use, mental health and chronic diseases:
https://thecannex.com/genetic-links-cannabis-use-mental-health-chronic-disease/ - Research examining whether cannabis dispensaries influence alcohol consumption in Oregon:
https://thecannex.com/cannabis-dispensaries-alcohol-use-oregon-study/
FAQ: Key Terms Explained
Cannabidiol (CBD)
A non-intoxicating compound from cannabis. Known for potential anti-inflammatory and calming effects. In this study, CBD played a major role in reducing bacteria and inflammation.
Propolis
A resin created by bees from tree buds. Rich in natural plant compounds with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Commonly used in oral sprays and lozenges.
MIC / MBC
- MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration): the smallest amount of a substance needed to stop bacteria from growing.
- MBC (Minimum Bactericidal Concentration): the amount needed to kill bacteria.
These help scientists measure how effective a substance is.
Cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α)
Chemical messengers released by immune cells during inflammation. High levels cause redness, swelling and pain. Reducing them can help soothe irritated tissues — like a sore throat.
