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Ingredients

Monolaurin

Glycerol monolaurate · Glyceryl laurate · Lauricidin · 1-Monolaurin

Snapshot

IndicationsContraindications
  • Vaginal Gardnerella colonization1
  • Oral Helicobacter pylori infection2
  • Persistent Lyme disease (combination)3

    Monolaurin (glycerol monolaurate) is the monoglyceride of lauric acid, taken as a supplement for its antimicrobial activity, which is documented mainly in vitro4. That effect drives its use for vaginal Candida and Gardnerella colonization, oral Helicobacter pylori infection, and, within a multi-ingredient composition, persistent Lyme disease.

    Human research is limited to about six small trials, mostly of topical or intravaginal use in vaginal health, atopic dermatitis, oral Helicobacter pylori infection, and eyelid care. A narrative review located human antimicrobial effects only for topical intravaginal and intraoral use and found no peer-reviewed evidence for monolaurin as an oral supplement4. A randomized trial of a vaginal gel for bacterial vaginosis found no more cures than placebo5. A 2025 prospective cohort of healthcare workers found higher serum monolaurin associated with lower risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); no trial has tested supplementation for this. Roughly 97 products list monolaurin, mostly as capsules and powders; see Form comparison.

    Last updated October 15, 2026. Read how we make monographs.

    In the full monograph

    25 sources, 13 studies

    • When to useThe situations practitioners use it for, each with the reason and the study behind it.
    • SafetyWho should avoid it, who needs extra care, and the side effects reported in studies.
    • InteractionsThe medicines and supplements it interacts with, the effect of each, and what labeling says to watch.
    • Protocol notesThe doses used in studies, how and when they were taken, and how the forms on the market compare.
    • How it worksWhat it is and how it works in the body, in plain terms.
    • Published studiesThe studies behind each use, popular claims checked against them, and trials still under way.
    • Word of mouthWhat patients and practitioners report online, kept separate from the clinical evidence.
    • Clinical perspectiveA closing read of where the evidence is solid, where it is thin, and what has not been studied.
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    Sources

    1. 1Glycerol monolaurate inhibits Candida and Gardnerella vaginalis in vitro and in vivo but not Lactobacillus.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govStrandberg, Peterson, Lin et al. · Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy · 2010 · Pubmed
    2. 2Oral Helicobacter pylori, its relationship to successful eradication of gastric H. pylori and saliva culture confirmation.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govWang, Yee, Hazeki-Taylor et al. · Journal of physiology and pharmacology : an official journal of the Polish Physiological Society · 2014 · Pubmed
    3. 3Specific composition of polyphenolic compounds with fatty acids as an approach in helping to reduce spirochete burden in Lyme disease: in vivo and human observational study.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govGoc, Gehring, Baltin et al. · Therapeutic advances in chronic disease · 2020 · Pubmed
    4. 4The Clinical Use of Monolaurin as a Dietary Supplement: A Review of the Literature.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govBarker, Bakkum, Chapman · Journal of chiropractic medicine · 2019 · Pubmed
    5. 5Five Percent Monolaurin Vaginal Gel for the Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govMancuso, Widdice, Hughes et al. · Journal of lower genital tract disease · 2020 · Pubmed