Last update March 3, 2025

Propolis (bee glue)

Likely Compatibility

Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.

Resinous substance from tree buds (poplars, conifers), mixed with wax by bees for hive construction. It contains more than 200 biological components (flavonoids, terpenoids, aldehydes, aromatic acids, alcohols and aliphatic ethers, amino acids and sugars) and minerals. It has local antimicrobial and healing activity. It is used orally as a nutritional supplement and in cough preparations and topically in mouth and skin irritations and in cosmetics. (de Groot 2013)

At the date of the last update we found no published data on its excretion in breast milk.

It may cause severe allergic reactions (Walgrave 2005, Tosti 1985). Renal failure has been described in adults and children after prolonged ingestion or contamination with diethylene glycol. (Ferrari 2005, Li 2005, Drut 1994)

Do not apply on the chest.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

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Other names

Propolis (bee glue) is also known as


Propolis (bee glue) in other languages or writings:

Groups

Propolis (bee glue) belongs to these groups or families:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Propolis (bee glue) in its composition:

List of 16 tradenames

References

  1. de Groot AC. Propolis: a review of properties, applications, chemical composition, contact allergy, and other adverse effects. Dermatitis. 2013 Nov-Dec;24(6):263-82. Abstract
  2. Health Canada. Propolis: suspected association with renal failure. Can Adverse React News 2009; 19 (1): 3. 2009 Full text (in our servers)
  3. Zaffani S, Cuzzolin L, Benoni G. Herbal products: behaviors and beliefs among Italian women. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2006 Abstract
  4. Li YJ, Lin JL, Yang CW, Yu CC. Acute renal failure induced by a Brazilian variety of propolis. Am J Kidney Dis. 2005 Abstract
  5. Walgrave SE, Warshaw EM, Glesne LA. Allergic contact dermatitis from propolis. Dermatitis. 2005 Dec;16(4):209-15. Review. Abstract
  6. Ferrari LA, Giannuzzi L. Clinical parameters, postmortem analysis and estimation of lethal dose in victims of a massive intoxication with diethylene glycol. Forensic Sci Int. 2005 Abstract
  7. Drut R, Quijano G, Jones MC, Scanferla P. [Pathologic findings in diethylene glycol poisoning]. Medicina (B Aires). 1994;54(1):1-5. Spanish. Abstract
  8. Tosti A, Caponeri GM, Bardazzi F, Melino M, Veronesi S. Propolis contact dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis. 1985 Abstract

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