Propolis: What Is It and Is It Worth Using?

The phrase “busy as a bee” is sometimes used to describe hard-working people who never seem to take a break. And it’s an apt metaphor, as honeybees are diligent, nonstop laborers whose efforts create not just honey, but also other products — including propolis, a gummy resin that they use to fill in the cracks of their beehives and keep predators at bay.

For centuries, people have collected propolis and used it in various ways, with modern-day proponents claiming that its antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties make it a worthwhile supplement. These days, propolis is sold in capsules (pills) or as a liquid extract.

But not so fast. Wellness and preventive medicine specialist Robert Saper, MD, MPH, says science doesn’t support most claims about propolis’s medicinal properties. He explains what propolis is, how it may be used and what the science says.

What is propolis?

Propolis is a mixture of beeswax, resin and oils that bees collect and use to build and repair their hives. It’s not the same thing as honey, beeswax or bee pollen, though they all fall into the category of “bee byproducts,” aka products made by bees. You may also hear propolis called:

• Bee glue.
• Bee putty.
• Beeswax acid.
• Hive dross.

Propolis has been used since ancient times for everything from varnishing Italian violins to making Greek perfume. Historically, it was thought to help heal wounds, prevent infections and even ease the symptoms of cancer treatments.

But Dr. Saper reiterates that modern science doesn’t support most claims about propolis’s medicinal properties.

It’s true that propolis is a natural substance that contains more than 500 compounds, including polyphenols, which are plant-based nutrients that help your body manage inflammation and fight oxidative stress.

But here’s the thing: Nearly all natural foods contain antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and other various good stuff — and propolis isn’t the best way to get them.

“The best way to get those benefits is to eat abundant amounts of fruits and vegetables,” Dr. Saper says, “rather than by adding on supplements.”

What is propolis used for?

There are three areas where propolis may have some uses, though Dr. Saper says more research is needed on all of them. Studies show that it may help:

• Manage diabetes.
• Heal cold sores.
• Relieve some oral side effects of chemotherapy.

Let’s delve into all three.

May help with diabetes management

Propolis could have a positive effect on people with Type 2 diabetes. In 2019, a meta-analysis examined six studies on the effects of propolis in under 400 people with diabetes. That’s a small number of study participants, in the grand scheme of things, but still, the data showed some promise. Participants’ hemoglobin A1C was reduced by about half a percent and their fasting blood sugar went down by 25 milligrams.

Still, Dr. Saper points out that there are other, more scientifically proven ways to manage diabetes.

“There are many existing treatments that are known to be very effective for this condition,” he says. “There is great scientific evidence that reducing refined carbohydrates can improve diabetes, as can exercise, better sleep and a number of different medications.”

In other words, there’s no real need for propolis when there are so many other evidence-based ways to effectively manage your diabetes.

May help heal cold sores

Propolis may be able to speed up the healing of cold sores brought on by oral herpes, aka herpes labialis or HSV-1. This infection, caused by the herpes simplex virus, causes fluid-filled blisters called cold sores to form around your mouth.

“From a symptomatic point of view, oral herpes isn’t a serious condition, but there can still be a social stigma around it,” Dr. Saper notes. “Some small, placebo-controlled studies show that using an ointment containing propolis on cold sores seems to reduce the length of time that it takes for them to heal.”

One study, for example, found that applying propolis to cold sores three times a day helped them heal faster than no treatment at all. But that doesn’t mean that propolis is your best option.

“There are stronger, more evidence-based antiviral pills and ointments that are very effective for the same purpose,” Dr. Saper states.

May relieve some side effects of chemotherapy

Propolis may be able to help lessen the effects of oral mucositis, a common and painful side effect of chemotherapy.

“This is a common condition that, in the context of a serious illness like cancer, can be incredibly disturbing,” Dr. Saper says, “and there aren’t many good treatments for it.”

Oral mucositis occurs when the mucous membranes of your mouth become inflamed, making the inside of your mouth red, shiny, swollen and raw. It can also cause sores or white patches of pus to form inside your mouth.

Though oral mucositis is a temporary condition that will eventually heal, it can be very painful to manage. In fact, studies show that people sometimes stop or scale back on their chemo treatments because the condition becomes so unbearable.

“There are certain treatments we try for oral mucositis that can be helpful,” he shares. “If you’re dealing with this condition, it may be reasonable to try propolis, but you should only do so under the guidance of your physician.”

What else can propolis do?

You might’ve heard that propolis can cure all kinds of ailments, including sore throats, acne and allergies. But Dr. Saper again says that there isn’t enough evidence to show that propolis can effectively treat any of these conditions.

And when it comes to allergies, take extra caution.

“Propolis is a bee byproduct,” he reminds us, “and using or consuming bee byproducts has been known to cause allergic reactions even in individuals who do not think they have an allergy to bees.”

Side effects and risks of propolis

Just because propolis is a natural substance doesn’t mean it’s risk-free. Dr. Saper explains who should avoid propolis and what negative effects it may have.

Not safe if you have certain health conditions

Propolis poses risks for people with certain conditions. For example, don’t be too quick to accept claims that propolis can effectively treat allergies and asthma.

“This information comes from a few small studies,” Dr. Saper says, “but much more often, propolis has been found to be a risk factor for causing allergic reactions, which can also make asthma worse.”

Propolis poses an increased risk to people with these conditions:

• Bee allergies: Because propolis is made by bees, it’s not safe for people who are allergic to bees or bee byproducts. In some cases, taking propolis has led to life-threatening allergic reactions.
• Pollen allergies: If you have allergic rhinitis (hay fever) driven by an allergy to pollen or other forms of pollen, propolis may increase your risk for allergic reactions.
• Asthma: Allergic reactions from propolis can trigger your asthma.
• Eczema: “Propolis may causeallergic reactions to the skin, especially in people with eczema,” Dr. Saper warns. One study found that in children with eczema who were patch-tested for various allergic substances, 16.5% showed “contact hypersensitivity” to propolis.
• Bleeding disorders: Propolis can slow down the blood clotting process, which can increase your risk of bleeding.
• Pregnancy: There’s not enough information to show where propolis is safe during pregnancy, so it’s best to avoid it.

Can interact with some medications

Like other vitamins and supplements, propolis can negatively interact with other medications that you take, making them less effective and even raising your risk for certain conditions.

• Blood thinners: Because propolis can slow the blood clotting process, it may interfere with anticoagulants (including warfarin) that you take to prevent and treat blood clots.
• CYP450 substrates: Propolis can affect your liver’s ability to break down certain medications, including many types of statins, immunosuppressants, antidepressants and beta-blockers.
• Other supplements: Taking propolis with other supplements that slow blood clotting, like garlic, ginger and ginkgo, can further raise your risk of bleeding.

Because propolis can make it harder for your blood to clot, it’s not safe to take before surgery. If you’ve been taking propolis and have a surgery coming up, stop taking it at least two weeks beforehand.

No guarantee of product quality

Supplements aren’t regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the way medications are, so there’s no real way to be sure what you’re getting.

“You want to be sure that anything you’re taking is safe from contamination and doesn’t contain, for example, any heavy metals,” Dr. Saper advises, “but regulations and enforcement of the supplement industry are not adequate to safeguard or ensure that to be the case.”

A study of 42 samples of raw propolis found varying levels of lead, cadmium and chromium. Another study showed that propolis extracts harvested from small farms often included insect fragments, mites and rodent hair.

What products contain propolis?

Even if you’re not taking propolis supplements, it’s important to know that it’s sometimes used as an ingredient in certain types of the following products:

• Chewing gum.
• Cosmetics, including concealer, lip liner and lipstick.
• Cough syrup.
• Lip balm and chapstick.
• Lotions and ointments.
• Throat lozenges and sprays.
• Toothpaste.

Products that include propolis are often branded as “natural” and may come in packaging that specifically advertises that they contain propolis — but not always. It’s always a good idea to get in the habit of reading ingredient labels, especially if you have allergies or a skin condition.

Should you take propolis supplements?

Influencer videos and internet trends would have you believe that you must start taking propolis supplements to improve or maintain your health. But Dr. Saper urges you not to fall for the hype.

“If someone really wants to try propolis, even against my recommendation, I encourage them to identify products made by reputable manufacturers that have been tested and verified by an independent third-party lab,” he emphasizes.

Still, he reiterates that there’s just no reason to take propolis in the first place — and plenty of reasons not to, including negative side effects and possible interactions with medications.

Unless your healthcare provider has specifically advised you to try propolis for one of the conditions we’ve discussed here, like for oral mucositis from chemotherapy, Dr. Saper urges you to skip it.

“The vast majority of supplements I don’t recommend,” he says. “When it comes to propolis, we don’t see compelling scientific evidence for its effectiveness, and in nearly all cases, there are other medications and therapies that we know to be much more effective.”