Propolis

• What other names is Propolis known by?
• What is Propolis?
• How does Propolis work?
• Are there safety concerns?
• Are there any interactions with medications?
• Dosing considerations for Propolis.

What other names is Propolis known by?

Acide de Cire d'Abeille, Baume de Propolis, Bee Glue, Bee Propolis, Beeswax Acid, Cire d'Abeille Synthétique, Cire de Propolis, Colle d'Abeille, Hive Dross, Pénicilline Russe, Propóleos, Propolis Balsam, Propolis Cera, Propolis d'Abeille, Propolis Resin, Propolis Wax, Résine de Propolis, Russian Penicillin, Synthetic Beeswax.

What is Propolis?

Propolis is a resin-like material from the buds of poplar and cone-bearing trees. Propolis is rarely available in its pure form. It is usually obtained from beehives and contains bee products.

Propolis has a long history of medicinal use, dating back to 350 B.C., the time of Aristotle. Greeks have used propolis for abscesses; Assyrians have used it for healing wounds and tumors; and Egyptians have used it for mummification. It still has many medicinal uses today, although its effectiveness has only been shown for a couple of them.

Propolis is used for canker sores and infections caused by bacteria (including tuberculosis), by viruses (including flu, H1N1 "swine" flu, and the common cold), by fungus, and by single-celled organisms called protozoans. Propolis is also used for cancer of the nose and throat; for boosting the immune system; and for treating gastrointestinal (GI) problems including Helicobacter pylori infection in peptic ulcer disease. Propolis is also used as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.

People sometimes apply propolis directly to the skin for wound cleansing, genital herpes and cold sores; as a mouth rinse for speeding healing following oral surgery; and for the treatment of minor burns.

In manufacturing, propolis is used as an ingredient in cosmetics.

Possibly Effective for...

• Cold sores. Applying a specific 3% propolis ointment (Herstat or ColdSore-FX) might help improve healing time and reduce pain from cold sores.
• Genital herpes. Applying a 3% propolis ointment (Herstat or ColdSore-FX) might improve healing of recurrent genital lesions caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Some research suggests that it might heal lesions faster and more completely than the conventional treatment 5% acyclovir ointment.
• Mouth surgery. Using a propolis mouth rinse appears to improve healing and reduce pain and swelling after mouth surgery.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

• Canker sores. Early research shows that taking propolis by mouth daily reduces canker sore outbreaks.
• Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Early research suggests that taking 60 drops of a preparation containing Brazilian green propolis daily for 7 days does not reduce H. pylori infection.
• A type of intestinal infection called giardiasis. Early research suggests that taking a specific 30% propolis extract (Propolisina) can cure giardiasis in more people than the drug tinidazole.
• Minor burns. Applying propolis to the skin might help treat minor burns and prevent infections.
• Thrush (oropharyngeal candidiasis). Early research suggests that using Brazilian green propolis extract four times daily for 7 days can prevent oral thrush in people with dentures.
• Upper respiratory tract infections. There is some evidence that propolis might help prevent or reduce the duration of common colds and other upper respiratory tract infections.
• Vaginal swelling (vaginitis). Early research suggests that applying a 5% propolis solution vaginally for 7 days can reduce symptoms and improve quality of life in people with vaginal swelling.
• Cancer sores.
• Tuberculosis.
• Infections.
• Nose and throat cancer.
• Improving immune response.
• Ulcers.
• Stomach and intestinal disorders.
• Wounds.
• Inflammation.
• Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate propolis for these uses.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).