Bee propolis and bee pollen: what they're used for, what studies show and who should avoid them

What bee propolis is

Propolis is a sticky mix of pollen, beeswax and resin that honeybees collect from the buds and sap of trees and plants. It has a long history in folk medicine, food and drinks.

Bee pollen is a different product. It’s flower pollen gathered by bees, sold as granules or capsules. Both are easy to find in UK health shops and on iHerb, in several forms:

Propolis benefits: what studies show

MSK, a leading US cancer hospital, puts it plainly in its herbs database: propolis has many properties in lab studies, but evidence that it can treat any condition is lacking. The human evidence is modest:

• Cold sores. In a 2018 trial of 379 people, a lip balm with 0.5% of the propolis extract GH 2002 was compared with 5% aciclovir cream. Crusting or healing came at a median of 4 days versus 5. The result applies to this one extract, and independent confirmation is limited.
• Mouth inflammation after chemotherapy. Small studies give mixed results.
• Gums. Small trials found fewer bacteria and milder symptoms after gum disease treatment.
• Wounds. Small trials of propolis on diabetic foot ulcers look promising.
• Ear infections in children. In one trial, a propolis and zinc liquid reduced episodes of acute ear infection.

There’s no reliable research showing that propolis prevents colds or supports immunity. Vitamin C and zinc have been studied far more for colds, and even their effects are modest.

Pick what you’re looking at propolis for:

Bee pollen: benefits and risks

Bee pollen is marketed as a superfood packed with protein, vitamins and antioxidants. We found no convincing clinical evidence of health benefits. It does have two well-documented risks:

• Allergy. Pollen is an allergen. A 2015 case report and review of earlier cases found that half of the people with whole-body reactions to bee pollen were sensitised to ragweed pollen.
• Fake products. In 2012 the US FDA found hidden sibutramine in “bee pollen” slimming capsules. Sibutramine is a weight-loss medicine withdrawn over heart risks. Read more in our guide to weight loss supplements.

Allergy, asthma and anaphylaxis

This is the main risk with all bee products. Figures from safety monitoring:

• Italy, 2002–2007: 18 reports of reactions to propolis products. Sixteen were allergic, with skin or breathing symptoms. Six people needed hospital or emergency care, and two cases were life-threatening.
• France, ANSES, 2018: three severe reactions to supplements with pollen, royal jelly or propolis, including bronchospasm and an anaphylactic reaction.
• Canada, 2012: a case of anaphylaxis from a bee pollen supplement. The authors advise warning everyone with pollen allergies about this risk.

Who is at higher risk:

• people allergic to bee stings, honey, ragweed or chrysanthemum;
• people with asthma or a tendency to allergies (atopy);
• people with pollen allergy, which ANSES calls a risk factor for reactions to hive products;
• anyone whose skin has reacted to propolis cosmetics: MSK describes propolis as a strong contact allergen.

Go through this short checklist before you buy.

Propolis tincture: why the alcohol matters

A tincture is an alcohol extract. Even a few drops a day means alcohol, which matters for:

• children;
• pregnant and breastfeeding women;
• people with alcohol dependence or in recovery;
• anyone taking medicines that don’t mix with alcohol (ask your pharmacist);
• anyone about to drive.

If you want to take propolis by mouth, an alcohol-free extract or capsules are simpler. With allergies, using it on the skin or in the mouth is risky too. ANSES describes tongue swelling and mouth ulcers after propolis chewing gums, and MSK lists lip swelling and rashes around the mouth.

Propolis for children

There are no established safe doses of propolis for children: it depends on age, weight and the product. What parents should know:

• never give children an alcohol tincture;
• children were among the people with allergic reactions to propolis in Italian reports;
• children with allergies, eczema or asthma are better off without bee products.

The decision belongs to your GP or pharmacist. For what children genuinely need, see our guide to vitamins for kids.

Interactions and who should avoid propolis

MSK flags two more risks:

• Warfarin. A probable interaction with bee pollen raised INR, and propolis may lengthen blood clotting time.
• Kidneys and liver. Single cases of acute kidney failure after two weeks of use, and of raised liver enzymes with long-term heavy use of propolis sweets, have been reported.

There’s little safety data for pregnancy and breastfeeding, so don’t take propolis or bee pollen then without your GP’s or midwife’s advice.

Avoid propolis and bee pollen if you’re allergic to bee products, if you have asthma, or if you take anticoagulants without your doctor’s agreement. Vitamin and mineral combinations can be checked in our compatibility chart.

How to choose propolis on iHerb

1. Go through the checklist above. If you’re allergic to bees, honey or pollen, or have asthma, don’t buy it.
2. Decide what it’s for. A lip balm for cold sores, or an alcohol-free extract or capsules by mouth.
3. Check the label for alcohol, honey and other allergens.
4. Look for milligrams of extract per serving, not only the word “propolis”.
5. Start with a small amount. With swollen lips or tongue, a rash or difficulty breathing, call 999 straight away.

More supplements people take in the cold season are in our immunity section. Not sure what you need? Try our vitamin check.