What is it?
Propolis seems to help fight against bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It might also have anti-inflammatory effects and help skin heal. Propolis is rarely available in its pure form. It’s usually obtained from beehives.
People commonly use propolis for diabetes, cold sores, and swelling and sores inside the mouth. It’s also used for burns, canker sores, genital herpes, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. There is also no good evidence to support using propolis for COVID-19.
How effective is it?
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
The effectiveness ratings for PROPOLIS are as follows:
Possibly effective for…
- Diabetes. Taking propolis by mouth seems to improve blood sugar control by a small amount in people with diabetes. But it doesn’t seem to affect insulin levels or improve insulin resistance.
- Cold sores (herpes labialis). Applying an ointment or cream containing 0.5% to 3% propolis five times daily might help cold sores to heal faster and reduce pain.
- Swelling (inflammation) and sores inside the mouth (oral mucositis). Taking propolis by mouth or rinsing the mouth with a propolis mouth rinse helps heal sores caused by cancer drugs.
There is interest in using propolis for a number of other purposes, but there isn’t enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Is it safe?
When applied to the skin: Propolis is possibly safe when used appropriately. It can cause allergic reactions, especially in people who are allergic to other bee products.
Special precautions & warnings:
Pregnancy: There isn’t enough reliable information to know if propolis is safe to use when pregnant. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Breast-feeding: Propolis is possibly safe when taken by mouth while breastfeeding. Doses of 300 mg daily for up to 10 months have been used safely. Stay on the safe side and avoid higher doses when breast-feeding.
Bleeding conditions: A certain chemical in propolis might slow blood clotting. Taking propolis might increase the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.
Allergies: Some propolis products might be contaminated with bee byproducts. Use propolis with caution if you are allergic to bee byproducts.
Surgery: A certain chemical in propolis might slow blood clotting. Taking propolis might increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. Stop taking propolis 2 weeks before surgery.
Are there interactions with medications?
- Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates)
- Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Propolis might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
- Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) substrates)
- Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Propolis might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
- Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates)
- Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Propolis might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
- Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) substrates)
- Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Propolis might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
- Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) substrates)
- Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Propolis might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
- Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates)
- Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Propolis might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
- Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)
- Propolis might slow blood clotting. Taking propolis along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
- Warfarin (Coumadin)
- Warfarin is used to slow blood clotting. Propolis might decrease the effects of warfarin. This might increase the risk of clotting.
Are there interactions with herbs and supplements?
- Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting
- Propolis might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include garlic, ginger, ginkgo, nattokinase, and Panax ginseng.
Are there interactions with foods?
- There are no known interactions with foods.
How is it typically used?
Other names
Methodology
To learn more about how this article was written, please see the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database methodology.
References
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- Varzaghani V, Sharifi M, Hajiaghaee R, et al. Propolis add-on therapy alleviates depressive symptoms; a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytother Res 2022;36:1258-67. View abstract.
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- Zhao L, Pu L, Wei J, et al. Brazilian green propolis improves antioxidant function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2016;13. pii: E498. View abstract.
- Fukuda T, Fukui M, Tanaka M, et al. Effect of Brazilian green propolis in patients with type 2 diabetes: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study. Biomed Rep 2015;3:355-60. View abstract.
- Bruyère F, Azzouzi AR, Lavigne JP, et al. A multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled study evaluating the efficacy of a combination of propolis and cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) (DUAB®) in preventing low urinary tract infection recurrence in women complaining of recurrent cystitis. Urol Int 2019;103:41-8. View abstract.
- Afsharpour F, Javadi M, Hashemipour S, Koushan Y, Haghighian HK. Propolis supplementation improves glycemic and antioxidant status in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Complement Ther Med 2019;43:283-8. View abstract.
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- Jautová J, Zelenková H, Drotarová K, Nejdková A, Grünwaldová B, Hladiková M. Lip creams with propolis special extract GH 2002 0.5% versus aciclovir 5.0% for herpes labialis (vesicular stage): randomized, controlled double-blind study. Wien Med Wochenschr 2019;169(7-8):193-201. View abstract.
- Igarashi G, Segawa T, Akiyama N, et al. Efficacy of Brazilian propolis supplementation for japanese lactating women for atopic sensitization and nonspecific symptoms in their offspring: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2019;2019:8647205. View abstract.
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- Koo HJ, Lee KR, Kim HS, Lee BM. Detoxification effects of aloe polysaccharide and propolis on the urinary excretion of metabolites in smokers. Food Chem Toxicol. 2019;130:99-108. View abstract.
- Cai T, Tamanini I, Cocci A, et al. Xyloglucan, hibiscus and propolis to reduce symptoms and antibiotics use in recurrent UTIs: a prospective study. Future Microbiol. 2019;14:1013-1021. View abstract.
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- Afkhamizadeh M, Aboutorabi R, Ravari H, et al. Topical propolis improves wound healing in patients with diabetic foot ulcer: a randomized controlled trial. Nat Prod Res. 2018;32:2096-2099. View abstract.
- Kuo CC, Wang RH, Wang HH, Li CH. Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of the efficacy of propolis mouthwash in cancer therapy-induced oral mucositis. Support Care Cancer. 2018;26:4001-4009. View abstract.
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- Soroy L, Bagus S, Yongkie IP, Djoko W. The effect of a unique propolis compound (Propoelix) on clinical outcomes in patients with dengue hemorrhagic fever. Infect Drug Resist. 2014;7:323-9. View abstract.
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- Zhang YX, Yang TT, Xia L, Zhang WF, Wang JF, Wu YP. Inhibitory Effect of Propolis on Platelet Aggregation In Vitro. J Healthc Eng. 2017;2017:3050895. View abstract.
- Santos VR, Gomes RT, de Mesquita RA, et al. Efficacy of Brazilian propolis gel for the management of denture stomatitis: a pilot study. Phytother Res. 2008;22:1544-7. View abstract.
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