A deeper dig into propolis and its health benefits

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.

Propolis Pulse

Propolis has antimicrobial properties and may protect bees from pathogens.

The substances that make up propolis can be complex. Scientists have identified more than 300 separate compounds in propolis.

Roughly propolis typically consists of:

tree and vegetable resins: 50%
beeswax: 30%
pollen: 5%
essential and aromatic oils: 10%

Propolis also contains polyphenols, such as flavonoids, which are a type of antioxidant.

Medicinal properties

A 2019 review suggests that people have used propolis as a medicine since the year 300 BC. Ancient Egyptians used propolis for embalming, and some doctors used it during World War II to help with wound healing.

The same 2019 review suggests that it may have the following properties:

antibacterial
antifungal
antiviral
antiprotozoal, which means that it works against parasitic illnesses, such as giardiasis
anti-inflammatory
antioxidant

Some of the substances present in propolis may also have anticancer properties.

Potential uses

Modern research suggests that propolis may be useful in treating:

minor wounds
oral hygiene
inflammation
cold sores

Wound healing

One 2015 review suggests that propolis may aid wound healing. An animal study in rats with diabetes showed that propolis helped the skin grow new cells in order to repair itself.

Because people with diabetes can experience slow wound healing, this suggests that propolis could be beneficial for helping the skin heal more quickly. As propolis also kills some types of bacteria, it may also help prevent infection.

Oral health

According to the same 2015 review, propolis also appears to prevent the formation of calcium phosphate, which is the main component of dental plaque.

Propolis and honey are also antibacterial, which may make them useful as ingredients in dental care products.

According to one small study in the review, propolis significantly decreased the amount of bacteria in the saliva of people with periodontitis (gum disease).

Inflammation

The antioxidants in propolis may work to reduce inflammation, such as the inflammation that arthritis causes.

Animal studies have tested propolis as an anti-inflammatory agent in rats and mice with arthritis. In both studies, the propolis inhibited swelling and appeared to have an impact on how the inflammation developed.

Scientists believe that propolis may regulate inflammatory substances in the body, such as prostaglandins.