Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPurported UsesSide EffectsPrecautionsDosageToxicityInteractionsHow to StoreFrequently Asked QuestionsSources & What to Look For
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Purported Uses
Side Effects
Precautions
Dosage
Toxicity
Interactions
How to Store
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & What to Look For
Although found in small quantities in honey, propolis is also widely available in supplement form. For example, propolis is used as an ingredient in certain products applied directly to the skin, such as ointments and creams. In addition, propolis is sometimes found in nasal sprays and throat sprays, as well as in mouthwash and toothpaste.
This article discusses the potential uses of propolis. It also covers the risk factors and side effects of taking this supplement.
However, even if supplements are independently tested, that doesn’t mean they are safe for all or effective in general. Therefore, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about any supplements you plan to take and check in about potential interactions with other supplements or medications.
Supplement Facts
Propolis Benefits and Uses
Purported propolis benefits are varied. It is said to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, and wound-healing qualities, all due to chemical compounds called flavonoids.
While studied for issues ranging from cavity control and core sores to cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and stomach ulcers, there simply is not enough research done on humans to support using propolis for these purposes.
The limited research that has been done on the use of propolis for oral, skin, and genital diseases has been inconclusive. Researchers attribute this to small sample sizes and how studies were organized and carried out.
Propolis can be applied topically (on your skin) or in supplement form.
What Are the Side Effects of Propolis?
Propolis may lead to side effects in some individuals. Due to a lack of research, little is known about propolis’s short-term or long-term side effects. Stop using propolis and contact your healthcare provider if any side effects occur.
Do not use propolis if you are allergic to bee products (including honey).Propolis may slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders or during surgery. Stop taking propolis two weeks before surgery.
Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak
Pregnant or lactating individuals and children should not take propolis as not enough research has been done in these populations.Always speak with your healthcare provider before starting any type of supplement.
Dosage: How Much Propolis Should I Take?
Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage is appropriate for your individual needs.
What Happens If I Take Too Much Propolis?
As a general guideline, never take more than the manufacturer’s recommended dosage. If you experience side effects of any kind, stop taking propolis and speak with your healthcare provider.
It is essential to carefully read the ingredient list and nutrition facts panel of a supplement to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included. Please review this supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss any potential interactions with food, other supplements, and medications.
Propolis has been noted to have interactions with certain medications and herbal supplements, which include:
Please check with your healthcare provider before using propolis if you have any questions or concerns.
How to Store Propolis
Store propolis according to the manufacturer’s directions on the package. Discard as indicated on the packaging.
Frequently Asked QuestionsA small amount of propolis may be found in certain kinds of honey.Bees make propolis from beeswax,saliva, and plant materials gathered. In the hive, propolis is used as a glue to close up small gaps, while beeswax is used to fill larger holes. While propolis is made from beeswax, they are not the same.It is not recommended to take propolis when pregnant due to the lack of research within this population.Better be safe and wait.
A small amount of propolis may be found in certain kinds of honey.
Bees make propolis from beeswax,saliva, and plant materials gathered. In the hive, propolis is used as a glue to close up small gaps, while beeswax is used to fill larger holes. While propolis is made from beeswax, they are not the same.
It is not recommended to take propolis when pregnant due to the lack of research within this population.Better be safe and wait.
Sources of Propolis & What to Look For
Propolis is available in many forms, including tablets, capsules, powder, extract, and lozenge. When used topically, it’s found in ointments, creams, lotions, and other personal-care products.Propolis can be purchased online or at health food stores.
Remember that it is illegal for any company to market a dietary supplement product as a treatment or cure for a disease.
Summary
Nutrition and Health Benefits of Royal Jelly
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Propolis.Castaldo S, Capasso F.Propolis, an old remedy used in modern medicine.Fitoterapia.2002;73(1):S1-S6. doi:10.1016/S0367-326X(02)00185-5Sung SH, Choi GH, Lee NW, Shin BC.External use of propolis for oral, skin, and genital diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017;2017:8025752. doi:10.1155/2017/8025752LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2012-.Bee products: beeswax, bee pollen, propolis.Additional ReadingDuarte S, Koo H, Bowen WH, et al.Effect of a novel type of propolis and its chemical fractions on glucosyltransferases and on growth and adherence of mutans streptococci.Biol Pharm Bull. 2003;26(4):527-531. doi:10.1248/bpb.26.527Fuliang HU, Hepburn HR, Xuan H, et al.Effects of propolis on blood glucose, blood lipid and free radicals in rats with diabetes mellitus.Pharmacol Res. 2005;51(2):147-152. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2004.06.011Gregory SR, Piccolo N, Piccolo MT, et al.Comparison of propolis skin cream to silver sulfadiazine: a naturopathic alternative to antibiotics in treatment of minor burns.J Altern Complement Med. 2002;8(1):77-83. doi:10.1089/107555302753507203Pasupuleti VR, Sammugam L, Ramesh N, Gan SH.Honey, propolis, and royal jelly: a comprehensive review of their biological actions and health benefits.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2017;2017:1259510. doi:10.1155/2017/1259510Schnitzler P, Neuner A, Nolkemper S, et al.Antiviral activity and mode of action of propolis extracts and selected compounds.Phytother Res. 2010;24 Suppl 1:S20-S28. doi:10.1002/ptr.2868Viuda-Martos M, Ruiz-Navajas Y, Fernández-López J, Pérez-Alvarez JA.Functional properties of honey, propolis, and royal jelly.J Food Sci. 2008;73(9):R117-R124. doi:10.1111/j.1750-3841.2008.00966.xVynograd N, Vynograd I, Sosnowski Z.A comparative multi-centre study of the efficacy of propolis, acyclovir and placebo in the treatment of genital herpes (HSV).Phytomedicine. 2000;7(1):1-6. doi:10.1016/S0944-7113(00)80014-8
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Propolis.Castaldo S, Capasso F.Propolis, an old remedy used in modern medicine.Fitoterapia.2002;73(1):S1-S6. doi:10.1016/S0367-326X(02)00185-5Sung SH, Choi GH, Lee NW, Shin BC.External use of propolis for oral, skin, and genital diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017;2017:8025752. doi:10.1155/2017/8025752LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2012-.Bee products: beeswax, bee pollen, propolis.Additional ReadingDuarte S, Koo H, Bowen WH, et al.Effect of a novel type of propolis and its chemical fractions on glucosyltransferases and on growth and adherence of mutans streptococci.Biol Pharm Bull. 2003;26(4):527-531. doi:10.1248/bpb.26.527Fuliang HU, Hepburn HR, Xuan H, et al.Effects of propolis on blood glucose, blood lipid and free radicals in rats with diabetes mellitus.Pharmacol Res. 2005;51(2):147-152. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2004.06.011Gregory SR, Piccolo N, Piccolo MT, et al.Comparison of propolis skin cream to silver sulfadiazine: a naturopathic alternative to antibiotics in treatment of minor burns.J Altern Complement Med. 2002;8(1):77-83. doi:10.1089/107555302753507203Pasupuleti VR, Sammugam L, Ramesh N, Gan SH.Honey, propolis, and royal jelly: a comprehensive review of their biological actions and health benefits.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2017;2017:1259510. doi:10.1155/2017/1259510Schnitzler P, Neuner A, Nolkemper S, et al.Antiviral activity and mode of action of propolis extracts and selected compounds.Phytother Res. 2010;24 Suppl 1:S20-S28. doi:10.1002/ptr.2868Viuda-Martos M, Ruiz-Navajas Y, Fernández-López J, Pérez-Alvarez JA.Functional properties of honey, propolis, and royal jelly.J Food Sci. 2008;73(9):R117-R124. doi:10.1111/j.1750-3841.2008.00966.xVynograd N, Vynograd I, Sosnowski Z.A comparative multi-centre study of the efficacy of propolis, acyclovir and placebo in the treatment of genital herpes (HSV).Phytomedicine. 2000;7(1):1-6. doi:10.1016/S0944-7113(00)80014-8
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Propolis.Castaldo S, Capasso F.Propolis, an old remedy used in modern medicine.Fitoterapia.2002;73(1):S1-S6. doi:10.1016/S0367-326X(02)00185-5Sung SH, Choi GH, Lee NW, Shin BC.External use of propolis for oral, skin, and genital diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017;2017:8025752. doi:10.1155/2017/8025752LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2012-.Bee products: beeswax, bee pollen, propolis.
MedlinePlus.Propolis.
Castaldo S, Capasso F.Propolis, an old remedy used in modern medicine.Fitoterapia.2002;73(1):S1-S6. doi:10.1016/S0367-326X(02)00185-5
Sung SH, Choi GH, Lee NW, Shin BC.External use of propolis for oral, skin, and genital diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017;2017:8025752. doi:10.1155/2017/8025752
LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2012-.Bee products: beeswax, bee pollen, propolis.
Duarte S, Koo H, Bowen WH, et al.Effect of a novel type of propolis and its chemical fractions on glucosyltransferases and on growth and adherence of mutans streptococci.Biol Pharm Bull. 2003;26(4):527-531. doi:10.1248/bpb.26.527Fuliang HU, Hepburn HR, Xuan H, et al.Effects of propolis on blood glucose, blood lipid and free radicals in rats with diabetes mellitus.Pharmacol Res. 2005;51(2):147-152. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2004.06.011Gregory SR, Piccolo N, Piccolo MT, et al.Comparison of propolis skin cream to silver sulfadiazine: a naturopathic alternative to antibiotics in treatment of minor burns.J Altern Complement Med. 2002;8(1):77-83. doi:10.1089/107555302753507203Pasupuleti VR, Sammugam L, Ramesh N, Gan SH.Honey, propolis, and royal jelly: a comprehensive review of their biological actions and health benefits.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2017;2017:1259510. doi:10.1155/2017/1259510Schnitzler P, Neuner A, Nolkemper S, et al.Antiviral activity and mode of action of propolis extracts and selected compounds.Phytother Res. 2010;24 Suppl 1:S20-S28. doi:10.1002/ptr.2868Viuda-Martos M, Ruiz-Navajas Y, Fernández-López J, Pérez-Alvarez JA.Functional properties of honey, propolis, and royal jelly.J Food Sci. 2008;73(9):R117-R124. doi:10.1111/j.1750-3841.2008.00966.xVynograd N, Vynograd I, Sosnowski Z.A comparative multi-centre study of the efficacy of propolis, acyclovir and placebo in the treatment of genital herpes (HSV).Phytomedicine. 2000;7(1):1-6. doi:10.1016/S0944-7113(00)80014-8
Duarte S, Koo H, Bowen WH, et al.Effect of a novel type of propolis and its chemical fractions on glucosyltransferases and on growth and adherence of mutans streptococci.Biol Pharm Bull. 2003;26(4):527-531. doi:10.1248/bpb.26.527
Fuliang HU, Hepburn HR, Xuan H, et al.Effects of propolis on blood glucose, blood lipid and free radicals in rats with diabetes mellitus.Pharmacol Res. 2005;51(2):147-152. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2004.06.011
Gregory SR, Piccolo N, Piccolo MT, et al.Comparison of propolis skin cream to silver sulfadiazine: a naturopathic alternative to antibiotics in treatment of minor burns.J Altern Complement Med. 2002;8(1):77-83. doi:10.1089/107555302753507203
Pasupuleti VR, Sammugam L, Ramesh N, Gan SH.Honey, propolis, and royal jelly: a comprehensive review of their biological actions and health benefits.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2017;2017:1259510. doi:10.1155/2017/1259510
Schnitzler P, Neuner A, Nolkemper S, et al.Antiviral activity and mode of action of propolis extracts and selected compounds.Phytother Res. 2010;24 Suppl 1:S20-S28. doi:10.1002/ptr.2868
Viuda-Martos M, Ruiz-Navajas Y, Fernández-López J, Pérez-Alvarez JA.Functional properties of honey, propolis, and royal jelly.J Food Sci. 2008;73(9):R117-R124. doi:10.1111/j.1750-3841.2008.00966.x
Vynograd N, Vynograd I, Sosnowski Z.A comparative multi-centre study of the efficacy of propolis, acyclovir and placebo in the treatment of genital herpes (HSV).Phytomedicine. 2000;7(1):1-6. doi:10.1016/S0944-7113(00)80014-8
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