Propolis is a resinous substance made by honeybees, used for centuries as a natural remedy for wounds, sore throats, and skin irritation. Today it shows up in throat sprays, tinctures, capsules, toothpastes, and topical creams. Its therapeutic value comes primarily from a dense concentration of flavonoids and phenolic acids, compounds that give propolis antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
Raw propolis is roughly 50% resin, 30% wax, 10% essential oils, 5% pollen, and 5% other substances. The exact makeup shifts depending on where the bees forage, what plants are nearby, and the season, which is why propolis from Brazil can behave differently in studies than propolis from Europe or the Middle East.
Sore Throats and Upper Respiratory Infections
One of the most popular uses for propolis is as a throat spray during colds. A randomized, double-blind clinical trial of 122 adults with mild upper respiratory infections found striking differences between a propolis spray and a placebo. After just three days, only 17% of people using propolis still had at least one symptom, compared to 72% in the placebo group. Sore throat specifically persisted in 16% of the propolis group versus 68% of the placebo group. Throat redness and swelling remained in 18% of the propolis users compared to 83% on placebo. By day five, all participants in both groups were symptom-free, but propolis appeared to cut the worst days of a cold nearly in half.
The spray used in this trial delivered polyphenols (the active plant compounds in propolis) three times daily for five days. This is the format you’ll most commonly find in health food stores: a small bottle with a nozzle you spray directly onto the back of your throat.
Wound Healing and Burns
Propolis has a long track record in wound care, and modern research is clarifying why it works. When applied to damaged skin, propolis stimulates the production of collagen types I and III, the structural proteins your body uses to rebuild tissue. It also promotes re-epithelialization, the process of new skin cells migrating across a wound to close it.
The mechanism appears to involve its flavonoid compounds reducing a process called lipid peroxidation, where unstable molecules damage and kill cells at the wound site. By neutralizing free radicals in the skin, propolis helps prevent further cell death around burns and cuts while supporting the remodeling of the tissue underneath. A review published in Burns & Trauma describes propolis as “well tolerated with rare incidents of allergy and no toxicity” and calls it an excellent candidate for burn management because it enhances skin cell proliferation and growth capacity.
Antimicrobial Activity
Propolis fights a surprisingly broad range of microorganisms. Lab studies have tested it against several well-known bacterial species and one common fungus, with consistent results. It is most potent against gram-positive bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus, the bacterium behind many skin infections, required the lowest concentration of propolis extract to be inhibited. Bacillus cereus and Streptococcus agalactiae also showed strong susceptibility.
Gram-negative bacteria like E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were harder to suppress, requiring concentrations 10 to 20 times higher. Candida albicans, a fungus responsible for yeast infections and oral thrush, also responded to propolis extracts in laboratory settings. These findings help explain why propolis has traditionally been used for so many different types of infections, though it’s worth noting that lab susceptibility doesn’t always translate directly to what happens in the human body.
Oral Health
Propolis is increasingly found in dental products. A 2% propolis mouth rinse used twice daily for 21 days proved as effective at preventing gingivitis as a standard fluoride-based rinse in a randomized, double-blind trial. Dental gels and mouthwashes containing propolis are now commercially available, and some dentists recommend propolis-based rinses as an alternative for patients who prefer a more natural option.
Blood Sugar and Metabolic Health
Some clinical evidence supports propolis for metabolic conditions. In patients with type 2 diabetes, taking 300 mg propolis capsules three times daily for 12 weeks improved blood sugar control and some cholesterol markers. Research in this area is still limited, and propolis is not a replacement for diabetes medication, but it may offer a complementary benefit for people already managing their condition.
Skin Conditions
Propolis appears in a growing number of skincare products marketed for eczema, acne, and general inflammation. Its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties can calm mild skin irritation in otherwise healthy skin. However, the evidence for moderate to severe eczema or psoriasis remains limited. There’s also an important caveat: propolis is a fairly common cause of contact dermatitis in people who already have inflamed or sensitive skin. Applying it to active eczema patches can sometimes trigger an itchy rash rather than help.
How Propolis Is Taken
There is no single standardized dose for propolis because its composition varies so widely. That said, clinical trials offer some reference points for what researchers have used safely:
- Throat spray: Two to four sprays, three times daily for up to five days, delivering 12 to 24 mg/mL of polyphenols per dose.
- Capsules: 300 mg taken three times daily (900 mg total) for up to 12 weeks in diabetes studies.
- Tincture (liquid drops): 20 drops of an ethanolic preparation three times daily has been used in pilot studies.
- Mouth rinse: A 2% solution swished for 30 seconds, twice daily.
- Topical: Creams and ointments typically use 2% to 5% propolis concentration.
Most propolis supplements come as capsules, liquid tinctures dissolved in alcohol, or spray bottles. Topical forms include creams, balms, and ointments. Quality varies considerably between products, so look for brands that specify the polyphenol or flavonoid content on the label.
Allergy Risks and Who Should Be Careful
Propolis allergy is more common than many people expect. European patch test studies report positive allergy rates between 1.2% and 6.6% of people tested. In children with chronic eczema, rates can be much higher: one Polish study found 16.5% of children aged 7 to 8 tested positive for propolis allergy. Propolis was the second most common contact allergen in children after nickel.
The main allergens in propolis are caffeates, chemical compounds derived from the poplar buds that bees collect resin from. These cross-react with balsam of Peru, a fragrance ingredient, so if you’ve had reactions to perfumes or scented products containing balsam of Peru, you may also react to propolis. Other cross-reactions can occur with rosin (colophonium) and certain fragrance mixes.
Beekeepers are an obvious risk group, though allergy can take years to develop. The average exposure time before developing propolis sensitivity is about 9.5 years. Less obvious groups include violin makers and players (propolis is used in traditional Italian varnish), some shoemakers who work with beeswax, and forestry workers who cut poplar trees. If you’re trying propolis for the first time, testing a small amount on your inner forearm before using it on your face or an open wound is a reasonable precaution.