Propolis

Propolis is a resin-like material made by bees from the buds of poplar and cone-bearing trees. Bees use it to build hives, and it may contain beehive byproducts.

Propolis seems to help fight against bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It might also have anti-inflammatory effects and help skin heal. Propolis is rarely available in its pure form. It's usually obtained from beehives.

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. There is also no good evidence to support using propolis for COVID-19.

Researchers have identified more than 500Trusted Source compounds in propolis. The majority of these compounds are forms of polyphenols. Polyphenols are antioxidants that fight disease and damage in the body.

Specifically, propolis contains the polyphenols called flavonoids. Flavonoids are produced in plants as a form of protection. They’re commonly found in foods thought to have antioxidant properties, including:

• fruits
• green tea
• vegetables
• red wine

Propolis also contains other potential healing compounds, such as amino acids, vitamins A, C, and E, as well as minerals such as potassium and magnesium. Other components naturally found in propolis include pollen, wax, and resin.

Propolis has a special compound called pinocembrin, a flavonoid that acts as an antifungal. These anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties make propolis helpful in treating wounds, such as burns.

Ointments that contain 3% propolis, such as Herstat or Coldsore-FX, may help speed healing time and reduce symptoms in both cold sores and sores from genital herpes.

One studyTrusted Source found when topical propolis was applied three times a day, it helped to heal cold sores faster than no treatment. The researchers found the propolis cream not only reduced the amount of herpes virus present in a person’s body, but also protected the body against future cold sore breakouts.

Propolis has been suggested to have a role in treating certain cancers as well. According to one 2021 studyTrusted Source, propolis may:

• keep cancerous cells from multiplying
• reduce the likelihood cells will become cancerous
• block pathways that keep cancer cells from signaling to each other
• reduce side effects of certain cancer treatments, such chemotherapy and radiation therapy

Researchers also suggested that propolis could be a complementary therapy — but not a sole treatment — for cancer.

Research suggests that some of the anti-oxidative effects of propolis may have potential cardiovascular, neurological, and anti-diabetic benefits.

According to one 2019 review, polyphenol-rich foods and supplements like propolis may reduce the risk of high cholesterol, heart disease, and stroke.

The same review also noted that propolis may possibly possess neuroprotective effects against multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, and dementia. Still, as with other purported benefits of propolis, more research is needed to confirm where such supplements may help prevent neurological disorders.