A recent study published in the Zoonoses journal investigates the antiviral properties of propolis against the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), responsible for chickenpox and shingles. VZV can cause severe complications, and resistance to current treatments like acyclovir is becoming more prevalent. The research demonstrated that propolis, specifically Brazilian green propolis, exhibited significant antiviral effects in various in vitro models, including human skin and dorsal root ganglia tissues. Propolis was found to inhibit VZV replication in a concentration-dependent manner with minimal cytotoxicity at concentrations up to 0.125%. RNA sequencing revealed that propolis treatment altered the expression of numerous host genes and affected critical pathways such as glycolysis and calcium signaling. Importantly, propolis was effective against an acyclovir-resistant strain of VZV, confirming its potential as an alternative antiviral agent with a unique mechanism of action. These findings support further exploration of propolis as a viable treatment option for VZV infections.