First Aid Bruises, Cuts & Punctures What Is Propolis? By Alena Clark, PhD Alena Clark, PhD LinkedIn Alena Clark, PhD, is a registered dietitian and experienced nutrition and health educator Learn about our editorial process Updated on October 25, 2022 Medically reviewed by Melissa Nieves, LND, RD Medically reviewed by Melissa Nieves, LND, RD Facebook LinkedIn Melissa Nieves, LND, RD, is a registered dietitian and licensed nutritionist who works as a bilingual telehealth dietitian. She founded the Fad Free Nutrition Blog and Nutricion al Grano websites and is based in Texas. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Purported Uses Side Effects Precautions Dosage Toxicity Interactions How to Store Frequently Asked Questions Sources & What to Look For 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. 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. 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 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 Active Ingredient(s): Polyphenols, flavonoidsAlternate Name(s): Bee propolis, propolis resin, propolis wax, bee glueLegal Status: Not currently regulated by the FDASuggested Dose: More research is needed on the appropriate dosage.Safety Considerations: Do not take when pregnant or lactating. Do not take if taking medications that use the cytochrome P450 enzyme to break it down or warfarin. Do not take propolis with ginger, garlic, ginkgo, ginseng, or nattokin. 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. 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 disease. 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 Precautions 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. 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, adults have used propolis in doses of 400 to 500 milligrams by mouth daily for up to 13 months. More research is needed on the appropriate dosage. 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. Interactions 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: Medications that use an enzyme called cytochrome P450 to break them down: Propolis could change the effect of these medications. Jantoven (warfarin): Propolis might decrease the effects of warfarin and increase the risk of blood clotting. Garlic, ginger, ginkgo, ginseng, and nattokinase: Propolis might slow blood clotting, so taking it with other supplements with similar effects may increase the risk of bleeding. 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 Questions Is propolis found in honey? A small amount of propolis may be found in certain kinds of honey. Is propolis the same as beeswax? 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. I am pregnant - can I take propolis? 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 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. However, if you are considering taking propolis for any reason, it is recommended to consult with your healthcare provider first. What Is Royal Jelly? 4 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to 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)00185-5 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. Additional Reading 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 By Alena Clark, PhD Alena Clark, PhD, is a registered dietitian and experienced nutrition and health educator Originally written by Cathy Wong Cathy Wong 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. Learn about our editorial process See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit