Alena Clark, PhD, is a registered dietitian and experienced nutrition and health educator

Melissa Nieves, LND, RD, is a registered dietitian working for a private practice.

Propolis is a mixture of pollen and beeswax collected by bees from certain plants and trees. Rich in flavonoids, a class of antioxidants, propolis has a long history of use as a natural treatment for many health problems, but more research is needed in humans to support its use.

Although found in small quantities in honey, propolis is also widely available in supplement form. Propolis is also 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.

Dietary supplements are not regulated like drugs in the United States, meaning the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve them for safety and effectiveness before products are marketed. When possible, choose a supplement that has been tested by a trusted third party, such as USP, ConsumerLabs, or NSF. However, even if supplements are third-party tested, that doesn’t mean they are necessarily 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 to check in about any potential interactions with other supplements or medications.

Supplement use should be individualized and vetted by a healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian nutritionist, pharmacist, or healthcare provider No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent a disease.

Research on the potential health benefits of propolis is limited. While propolis has been studied in lab and animal studies for health conditions (e.g., cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stomach ulcers, cavity control, cold sore treatment), there is NOT enough evidence to support its use for any of these conditions due to lack of human research.

The limited research that has been done on the use of propolis for oral, skin, and genital diseases has been inconclusive per researchers due to "small sample sizes and low methodological quality (i.e., how the studies were organized and carried out) of the studies". More clinical-based studies with humans are needed to support propolis' use.

Propolis may lead to side effects in some individuals. Due to a lack of research, little is known about the short-term or long-term side effects when using propolis. If any side effects were to occur, please stop using propolis and contact your healthcare provider.

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.

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.

Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage is appropriate for your individual needs.

There is no recommended daily dose of propolis and there are not enough human studies to determine how much propolis should be taken to support health conditions. However, propolis has been used by adults in doses of 400 to 500 milligrams by mouth daily for up to 13 months. More research is needed on the appropriate dosage.

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:

Please check with your healthcare provider before using propolis if you have any questions or concerns.

Store propolis according to the manufacturer's directions on the package. Discard as indicated on the packaging.

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.

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.

Propolis is a mixture of pollen and beeswax collected by bees from certain plants and trees. It is available in many forms and can be taken by mouth and applied to the skin. More research is needed on the health benefits of propolis, as many of its uses are not backed up by human research. Therefore, it is unlikely that you will need to take propolis in supplement form for any health reasons. If you are considering taking propolis for any reason, it is recommended to consult with your healthcare provider first.

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.

da Silva LM, de Souza P, Jaouni SKA, et al. Propolis and Its Potential to Treat Gastrointestinal Disorders. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2018;2018:2035820. doi: 10.1155/2018/2035820.

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):527-31.

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):147-52. 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:S20-8. 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):R117-24. 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

Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health.

Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.

There was an error. Please try again.