Monolaurin

Commonly used for
Immune Support
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What is it? / Overview
Wellness uses some people report: antiviral support. This is anecdotal, and there isn't strong clinical evidence that it works for everyone. Monolaurin disrupts the lipid envelope of enveloped viruses and the membranes of certain bacteria and fungi in vitro and in topical/mucosal models -- a real and repeatedly demonstrated laboratory effect, but it has not been shown to work the same way when taken orally as a systemic antiviral in humans.
How is it used? / Administration
Form: Glycerol monolaurate (GML) / monolaurin -- a monoglyceride of lauric acid, from coconut oil
Typical dose studied: No validated human oral dose -- commonly marketed at ~600 mg-3 g/day
Timing: Not established
Ships trigger-empty -- reasonable to add for tracking, but should not be represented as a proven oral antiviral in humans given how thin the human-relevant evidence actually is.
How well does it work? / Evidence
? Emerging / limited evidence
Who should avoid it?
Already taking it? The marketed 'oral antiviral' framing outpaces the evidence -- the supporting antimicrobial data are almost entirely in vitro or topical/mucosal, not oral systemic use in humans.
Research & references
Welch JL et al. (2020). Glycerol Monolaurate, an Analogue to a Factor Secreted by Lactobacillus, Is Virucidal Against Enveloped Viruses, Including HIV-1. mBio. Laowansiri M et al. (2025). Monolaurin Inhibits Antibiotic-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus in Patients With Atopic Dermatitis. Scientific Reports.
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