Bee Propolis
What’s New This Month
- Recall still open: FDA’s Class I recall of a Beekeeper’s Naturals propolis sinus rinse, classified in June 2026 for microbial contamination, is ongoing. 1
- Border detentions: FDA detains some imported propolis products at the border, including a honey-and-propolis candy, tinctures and a toothpaste sold with drug claims, and a mislabeled liquid extract. This is not a recall of shelf products. 2 3
- Overlapping trials: Three blood-sugar trials used in the reviews cite one and the same trial registration, so the same patients may be counted more than once. 4 5 6
- Cold sores: Cochrane’s 2026 update says topical propolis may help, but the evidence is limited. 7
Overview
Propolis is a sticky resin that honeybees make from tree buds and sap to seal their hives. Its makeup depends on the local trees, so Brazilian green, Brazilian red and European poplar types differ, and no common standard exists. 8
Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans used propolis, and Hippocrates is said to have put it on wounds. Lab study of it began in the early 1900s. 9
Labels claim it lowers blood sugar, supports immunity, fights germs, and helps gums, cold sores and sore throats.
How We Researched It
We rate each marketing claim with a modified version of GRADE, the system medical researchers use to say how sure we can be (i.e., high, moderate, low or very low), and check each trial with the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool, which asks whether a study’s design could skew its results. For propolis we weighed about 85 records and used 46, published from October 2022 to October 2026. We also checked 10 regulators and safety databases. No Cochrane review covers propolis alone.
Research NotesTop three benefits
Blood Sugar GRADE: Low
Four reviews found HbA1c (a 3-month blood sugar average) fell 0.32 to 0.58 points in type 2 diabetes. 10 13 11 A 2026 review of 20 trials found fasting sugar down 7.9 mg/dL and no blood pressure change. 29
Bias check: The reviews share about 10 core trials, and three trials cite one registration, so the same patients may be counted more than once.
Oral Health GRADE: Low
A 2026 review of 45 trials found less plaque than with no treatment, but chlorhexidine did as well or better. 17 Propolis lowered the odds of chemo mouth sores (odds ratio 0.35); honey beat it for radiation mouth sores in one trial. 30 31
Bias check: Certainty was very low, and 4 of 10 gum trials in an earlier review were at high risk of bias. 32
Cold Sores GRADE: Very Low
Two reviews report the same healing odds ratio (about 4.7) against acyclovir, an antiviral cream, so they likely share trials. 33 34 A trial in 60 children found less pain by day 7 with a 5% gel. 35 Cochrane calls the evidence limited. 7
Bias check: These are skin products, not capsules. One review mixes honey in, and the evidence is small.
Benefit Evaluation
| Claim | Claim Verdict | Research Confidence | Supporting Evidence | Safety Risk | Product Quality | FactStack™ Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood Sugar | Promising | Low | Promising | Within Limits | Inconsistent | Caution |
| Oral Health | Promising | Low | Promising | Within Limits | Inconsistent | Caution |
| Cold Sores | Promising | Very Low | Promising | Within Limits | Inconsistent | Caution |
| Cholesterol | TBD | Low | TBD | Within Limits | Inconsistent | Caution |
| Blood Pressure | TBD | Low | TBD | Within Limits | Inconsistent | Caution |
| Immune Support | TBD | Very Low | TBD | Within Limits | Inconsistent | Caution |
| Wound and Burn Healing | TBD | Very Low | TBD | Within Limits | Inconsistent | Caution |
| Cancer and Chemotherapy Side Effects | TBD | Very Low | TBD | Within Limits | Inconsistent | Caution |
| Disease Treatment | TBD | Low | TBD | Within Limits | Inconsistent | Caution |
| Sore Throat, Cough and Cold | TBD | Very Low | TBD | Caution | Inconsistent | Warning |
| Antiviral and Antibacterial | Doubtful | Low | Doubtful | Within Limits | Inconsistent | Warning |
| Weight | Doubtful | Low | Doubtful | Within Limits | Inconsistent | Warning |
What Sellers Say vs. What Studies Show
| “Many reviews prove it lowers blood sugar.” | They share about 10 of the same trials. The drop in HbA1c (a 3-month blood sugar average) was small, 0.3 to 0.6 points. 10 11 |
| “Propolis fights COVID and other infections.” | In the best trial, 188 hospital patients on propolis stayed about as long as those on placebo (6.5 and 7.7 days; not a significant gap). 12 |
| “It’s natural, so it’s safe.” | Six trial patients quit because of propolis allergy. In a European clinic, 9.5% of 3,134 patients tested positive on a patch test. Finished products have held lead and a fungicide. 13 14 15 |
| “Propolis helps you lose weight.” | A review of 24 trials found no change in weight, BMI or waist size. 16 |
| “It beats a standard mouth rinse.” | In gum trials, the standard rinse chlorhexidine worked as well or better. 17 |
| “More marker compounds mean a stronger product.” | Marker compounds vary 740-fold between products, and no study links them to results. 8 |
Trial ParametersIf you try it
| Who | Adults with no bee-product, pollen, poplar, balsam of Peru or fragrance allergy. No marketed health benefit is established for any group. |
| Dose | Health Canada: 0.2 to 0.6 g a day of propolis for mouth or skin use, not capsules. Glucose trials used 226 to 1,500 mg daily. 18 |
| Ceiling | None established for swallowed capsules or tinctures. |
| Duration | Ask a practitioner after 4 weeks (Health Canada). Stop at the first rash, itching, swelling, wheeze or breathing trouble. |
| Form | Choose one with a batch certificate for lead and residues; avoid raw propolis. Skip non-sterile nasal sprays or rinses if immunocompromised or with lung disease. |
| Ask First | Allergy to bee products, pollen, poplar, balsam of Peru or fragrance; asthma or eczema; pregnancy or breastfeeding; warfarin (ask a pharmacist); blood-sugar drugs. |
How to Take It
| Pick a plan | Blood-sugar trials used 226 to 1,500 mg a day for 8 to 24 weeks, and gains showed at 1,000 mg or more. Extract and raw doses are not comparable, so ask a clinician about your dose. 19 |
| Time of day | Not reported. |
| With food | Not reported. |
| What to expect | In trials, blood sugar changes took 8 to 24 weeks. 19 |
| How to take | Swallow capsules with water. Rinses and gels are for the mouth or skin, not for swallowing. Stop at the first rash, itching, lip or mouth swelling, wheeze or breathing difficulty. |
Works With / Don’t Mix With
✓ Works with
Your usual mouth care. For gum swelling, the standard rinse chlorhexidine did as well or better than propolis. 17
Not reported: no supplement is shown to add to its effect.
⚠ Ask first / don’t mix
Warfarin (a blood thinner). Animal and reference data point in opposite directions, and we found no human study; ask a pharmacist first. 20
Blood-sugar drugs. Propolis may add to their effect. Tell your prescriber and check your sugar. 10
Other bee products if you react to them, or to balsam of Peru, poplar or fragrance. 14
Manufacturer Recalls & WarningsLast 36 months, newest first
| Date | Maker / Brand | Product | Action | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2026 | Beekeeper’s Naturals USA | Saline nasal spray / sinus congestion rinse made with propolis and xylitol, lot 5950 (1,680 bottles, nationwide) | FDA Class I recall for microbial contamination of a non-sterile product. Ongoing. | 1 |
| Dec 2025 | SBS Americas (Bee & You); Trader Joe’s | Bee & You Probiotic Propolis Shot | Two California Prop 65 notices (April and December 2025) allege lead. Notices are allegations, not findings. | 22 23 |
Where to Buy
We compare products side-by-side not just on price, but on whether NSF lists the product as NSF/ANSI 173 Contents Certified (an independent lab confirms the label matches the contents), whether it is NSF Certified for Sport, whether USP lists it as USP Verified, and whether the seller says it is manufactured in the USA. We leave out a brand’s products for this supplement when, in the last 36 months, the FDA took action against that brand over this supplement (a Class I or II recall, a warning letter, an import alert or an advisory letter). We also leave out any brand with an FDA Class II recall or warning letter on any product. We also leave out any product named in a California Prop 65 notice or a non-US recall, along with that brand’s products of the same ingredient and form. Brands with other actions stay listed and are marked in the Recall Screen column. Our goal remains to provide you, the Consumer, with the information and data necessary to make an informed purchasing decision. Prices reflected below are static and subject to change.
| 3 | Amazon | NaturaNectar Green Bee Propolis Capsules - Brazilian Green | Check Price | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | View on Amazon ↗ | ||
| 5 | iHerb | NaturaNectar, Bee Propolis Trio™, 60 Vegetable Capsules | $32.98 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | View on iHerb ↗ | ||
| 6 | HerbsPro | Source Naturals, Propolis, 500 MG, 60 Caps | $14.35 | ✓ | ✓ | View on HerbsPro ↗ | |||
| 7 | HerbsPro | Now Foods, Propolis, 1500 mg, 100 Caps | $12.48 | ✓ | ✓ | View on HerbsPro ↗ | |||
| 9 | HerbsPro | Cc Pollen, High Desert Bee Propolis, 60 Veg Caps | $12.42 | ✓ | ✓ | View on HerbsPro ↗ | |||
| 10 | HerbsPro | Source Naturals, Propolis, 500 MG, 30 Caps | $7.69 | ✓ | ✓ | View on HerbsPro ↗ |
Ratings above describe the ingredient’s research, not any product listed below.
| # | Retailer | Product | Price | NSF 173 | NSF Sport | USP | Mfg. in USA (per seller) | Recall Screen | Affiliate link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amazon | NaturaNectar Brown Bee Propolis Capsules (60 ct) | Check Price | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | View on Amazon ↗ | ||
| 2 | Amazon | NaturaNectar Red Bee Propolis Capsules - Premium Brazilian Red | Check Price | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | View on Amazon ↗ | ||
| 3 | Amazon | NaturaNectar Ultimate Bee Propolis Capsules - Brazilian Red | Check Price | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | View on Amazon ↗ | ||
| 4 | iHerb | California Gold Nutrition, Bee Propolis, 1,000 mg, 90 Capsules | $8.12 | ✓ | ✓* | View on iHerb ↗ | |||
| 5 | iHerb | California Gold Nutrition, Bee Propolis 2X, Concentrated Extract, 500 mg, 90 Veggie Caps | $12.07 | ✓ | ✓* | View on iHerb ↗ | |||
| 6 | iHerb | Bio Nutrition, Bee Propolis, 60 Capsules (500 mg per Capsule) | $12.46 | ✓ | ✓ | View on iHerb ↗ | |||
| 7 | HerbsPro | Now Foods, Propolis, 1500 mg, 100 Caps | $12.48 | ✓ | ✓* | View on HerbsPro ↗ | |||
| 8 | HerbsPro | Source Naturals, Propolis, 500 MG, 60 Caps | $14.35 | ✓ | ✓ | View on HerbsPro ↗ | |||
| 9 | Green's Nutrition | Nutricost Bee Propolis Capsules 10:1 120 Count | $18.95 | ✓ | ✓* | View on Green's Nutrition ↗ | |||
| 10 | Green's Nutrition | Nutricost Bee Propolis Capsules 5% Flavonoids 120 Count | $28.95 | ✓ | ✓* | View on Green's Nutrition ↗ |
Sources
1. Drug enforcement report D-0620-2026: Beekeeper’s Naturals saline nasal spray / sinus congestion rinse with propolis, Class I. US Food and Drug Administration (openFDA), 17 Jun 2026. api.fda.gov/drug/enforcement.json?search=recall_number.exact:%22D-0620-2026%22
2. Import Alert 66-41: Detention Without Physical Examination of Unapproved New Drugs Promoted in the U.S. (propolis entries, 2025 to 2026). US Food and Drug Administration, 2025 to 2026. www.accessdata.fda.gov/cms_ia/importalert_190.html
3. Import Alert 99-39: Detention Without Physical Examination of Imported Food Products That Appear to Be Misbranded (Lovita Bee Propolis Liquid Extract, 2025). US Food and Drug Administration, 27 Mar 2025. www.accessdata.fda.gov/cms_ia/importalert_1144.html
4. Afsharpour et al. Propolis trial in 62 people with type 2 diabetes (registration IRCT2017041019669N4). PubMed record, 2019. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30935545/
5. Hesami et al. Propolis trial in 62 people with type 2 diabetes (registration IRCT2017041019669N4). PubMed Central, 2019. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6386327/
6. Yousefi et al. Propolis and inflammatory interleukins in type 2 diabetes: double-blind randomized trial (registration IRCT2017041019669N4). Clinical Diabetology, 2023. doi.org/10.5603/cd.96910
7. Lin HS et al. Interventions for treatment of herpes labialis (cold sores on the lips). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 9, 30 Sep 2026. doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD015216.pub2
8. Authentication of propolis (review). Foods 14(24):4259, 2025. doi.org/10.3390/foods14244259
9. Kuropatnicki et al. Historical aspects of propolis research in modern times. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, article 964149, 2013. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3655583/
10. Karimi et al. Meta-analysis of propolis in type 2 diabetes (13 trials, 765 people). Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders, 2025. doi.org/10.1007/s40200-025-01682-w
11. Bahari et al. Meta-analysis of propolis and cardiometabolic risk factors. British Journal of Nutrition, 2025. doi.org/10.1017/S0007114524002010
12. Silveira et al. BeeCovid2: propolis in hospitalized COVID-19 patients (188 people). Scientific Reports, 2023. doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-43764-w
13. Zhang et al. Meta-analysis of propolis in type 2 diabetes (12 trials, 731 people). Frontiers in Nutrition, 2025. doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1653730
14. Patch-test positives to propolis in 3,134 patients, Amsterdam. Contact Dermatitis (PubMed record), 2024. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39169523/
15. González-Martín et al. Pesticide residues and heavy metals in commercially processed propolis (31 products). Microchemical Journal 143:423, 2018. www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0026265X18305800
16. Aliakbarian et al. Meta-analysis of propolis and body weight (24 trials). Current Developments in Nutrition, 2024. doi.org/10.1016/j.cdnut.2024.104438
17. Berto et al. Meta-analysis of propolis for dental plaque (45 trials). Clinical Oral Investigations, 2026. doi.org/10.1007/s00784-026-07065-6
18. Natural Health Product monographs: Propolis Topical (30 May 2025) and Propolis Buccal (29 May 2026). Health Canada, 2025 to 2026. webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/
19. Fazeli Moghadam et al. Meta-analysis of propolis and glycemic and lipid markers (12 trials, 736 people). Clinical Nutrition Research, 2026. doi.org/10.7762/cnr.2025.0004
20. Zhou et al. Herb–drug interaction review of propolis. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2022. doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.876183
21. Cusinato et al. Propolis extract and five drug-metabolizing (CYP) enzymes in 16 healthy volunteers. PubMed record, 2019. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31442620/
22. Proposition 65 60-day notice 2025-04873, SBS Americas and Trader Joe’s, Bee & You Probiotic Propolis Shot (lead). California Office of the Attorney General, 5 Dec 2025. oag.ca.gov/prop65/60-Day-Notice-2025-04873
23. Proposition 65 60-day notice 2025-01340, SBS Americas and Trader Joe’s, Bee & You Probiotic Propolis Shot (lead). California Office of the Attorney General, 25 Apr 2025. oag.ca.gov/prop65/60-Day-Notice-2025-01340
24. CAERS adverse event reports 2025-CFS-007054 and 2025-CFS-016827 (propolis sprays). US Food and Drug Administration (openFDA food adverse events), May and Oct 2025. api.fda.gov/food/event.json?search=report_number:%222025-CFS-016827%22+report_number:%222025-CFS-007054%22&limit=2
25. Warning letters: search for propolis (latest found 3 May 2023). US Food and Drug Administration, 3 May 2023. www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/compliance-actions-and-activities/warning-letters
26. Propolis: Lead Concern (product update). ConsumerLab.com, 20 Apr 2026. www.consumerlab.com
27. Recalls and safety alerts, search for propolis. Health Canada, 3 Oct 2026. recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en
28. Changes to propolis and royal jelly in listed medicine applications (sponsor guidance). Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration, 10 Apr 2026. www.tga.gov.au
29. Rab et al. Meta-analysis of propolis in metabolic syndrome and diabetes (20 trials, 1,091 people). Health Science Reports, 2026. doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.71909
30. Chang et al. Meta-analysis of propolis for chemotherapy mouth sores (7 studies). PubMed record, 2025. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40197195/
31. Propolis vs honey vs usual care for radiotherapy mouth sores (75 people). Food & Function, 2025. doi.org/10.1039/d5fo00067j
32. Ballouk et al. Systematic review of propolis mouth rinses (10 trials). BDJ Open, 2025. doi.org/10.1038/s41405-025-00294-z
33. Rocha et al. Meta-analysis of propolis for herpes lesions. PubMed record, 2022. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34965458/
34. Niode et al. Meta-analysis of propolis and honey vs acyclovir for herpes lesions (7 studies). International Journal of STD & AIDS (PubMed record), 2026. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41496519/
35. Shalaby et al. 5% propolis gel vs placebo gel in 60 children. PubMed record, 2026. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42309162/
