Herbs & Supplements:
Bee Propolis

Supplement Forms / Alternate Names
  • Bee Glue, Bee Putty, Propolis
Principal Proposed Uses
  • · There are no well-documented uses for bee propolis
Other Proposed Uses
  • Topical Uses, Genital Herpes, Skin Wounds, Oral Surgery, Tooth Decay Preventive, Eye Infections, Vaginal Infections, Oral Uses, Treatment of Giardia, Cancer Prevention

Although honey is perhaps the most famous bee product of interest to human beings, bees also make propolis, another substance that humans have used for ages. Bees coat the hive with propolis in much the same way we use paint and caulking on our homes. People began using propolis more than 2,300 years ago for many purposes, the foremost of which was applying it to wounds to fight infection. It is a resinous compound made primarily from tree sap, and contains biologically active compounds called flavonoids, which come from its plant source. Propolis does indeed have antibiotic properties; the flavonoids in propolis may be responsible for its antimicrobial effects as well as other alleged health benefits.

Requirements/Sources

Propolis is available in a wide assortment of products found in pharmacies and health food stores, including tablets, capsules, powders, extracts, ointments, creams, lotions, and other cosmetics.

Therapeutic Dosages

Topical propolis ointments, creams, lotions, balms, and extracts are usually applied directly to the area being treated. However, we do not recommend applying bee propolis directly to the eyes (see Safety Issues below).

Propolis intended for oral use comes in a wide variety of forms, including tablets, capsules, and extracts. Products vary so much that your best bet is to follow the directions on the label.

Therapeutic Uses

Test tube studies have found propolis to be active against a variety of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and protozoans.^1–10 These findings have been the basis for most propolis research in humans and animals.

The results of a small controlled study suggests that propolis cream might cause attacks of genital herpes to heal faster.¹¹

A preliminary controlled study found that propolis mouthwash following oral surgery significantly speeded healing time as compared to placebo.¹²

Animal studies also suggest that topical propolis may be of benefit in healing wounds.^13,14

One group of researchers compared a propolis extract against the standard antiprotozoal drug tinidazole in 138 people infected with the parasite giardia.¹⁵ The extract appeared to work about as well as the drug therapy.

A number of clinical trials have tested the use of propolis for eye infections¹⁶ and vaginal infections.¹⁷ However, these were poorly designed; better trials are necessary before we can say for sure that propolis is an effective treatment for any of these conditions.

In one interesting study, rats given propolis in their drinking water got fewer cavities than rats given regular water.¹⁸ However, no human studies have been performed to see if we would also benefit.

Finally, test tube studies suggest that propolis has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties.^19–25 Again, without actual human studies, these results suggest the need for future research but do not prove propolis effective for any particular condition.

Safety Issues

Propolis is an ingredient commonly consumed in small quantities in honey. Safety studies have found it to be essentially nontoxic when taken orally; propolis also appears to be nonirritating when applied to the skin.²⁶

However, allergic reactions to topical propolis occur relatively frequently, sometimes involving painful redness, swelling, and oozing sores.^27–38

Propolis is also a known "sensitizing agent," meaning it can cause people to develop allergies to the propolis itself when it is used regularly.^39–42

Last reviewed March 2002 by Medical Review Board

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