Herb & supplement monograph

Propolis Drug Interactions, Uses, Effectiveness, Safety & More

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS ·Updated July 2026

What is this page for?

First and foremost: how Propolis interacts with medications. The heart of this page is the interaction list — every drug Propolis is known to interact with, and how serious each one is.

But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Propolis is, what people use it for and how strong the evidence is, its safety and side effects, and answers to the questions we’re asked most — written and reviewed by the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases, not medical advice, and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

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On this page

Propolis Drug Interactions: The Bottom Line

From the HelloPharmacist Editorial Team · Updated July 2026

Based on the available evidence, the overall risk of a clinically significant Propolis drug interaction appears low for most people, since none of the reported interactions have been confirmed in humans. No interactions are rated major, and every listed concern rests on lab or animal research rather than human studies.

Interactions deserving the most attention

The pairing that stands out most is warfarin. Animal research suggests propolis could weaken warfarin's effect, lowering the INR, which matters for a medicine dosed within a narrow margin. On a related note, lab studies show propolis may reduce platelet clumping, so combining it with other anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs could in theory shift bleeding or clotting risk. Neither effect has been reported in people, but because these medicines are so closely monitored, they deserve the most caution.

What the rest of the list means

The long list of interacting medications looks daunting, but nearly all of it comes from lab findings that propolis might inhibit enzymes the body uses to clear many drugs. When tested in animals, most of those predicted effects did not actually appear, so the practical impact for most medications is likely small.

Check your medications against Propolis

Based on HelloPharmacist’s Propolis interaction data and reviewed under our editorial standards.

Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Propolis

923 medications have a known interaction with Propolis, graded by severity. Select any drug for the full evidence-based detail.

Don’t want to scroll the list? Just ask.

Tell us the medications you take and we’ll check each one against Propolis using our pharmacist-reviewed interaction data.

AI summaries are generated from our Propolis interaction data for education only — always confirm with your pharmacist. How we use AI

2,830 drugs

Read The List Like a Pharmacist

What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean

Severity — How Serious It Can Be

Major. Clinically significant; generally best avoided, or used only under direct professional supervision.
Moderate. May need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one.
Minor. Generally not clinically significant, but still worth noting and mentioning to your pharmacist.
No known interaction. Checked against our sources with nothing documented — not the same as proven safety.

Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented

Likely. Well-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction
Probable. Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
Possible. Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists
Unlikely. Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.

Where This Data Comes From

Interaction records are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database (TRC Healthcare), the same reference used by pharmacists and hospitals.
Each drug listed above links to the full report for that exact Propolis combination — clinical detail, likelihood, evidence level, and citations.
Content is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

The big picture

The kinds of drugs Propolis affects

Every type of medication (drug category) Propolis is known to interact with. Open any category for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

All 8 drug categories Propolis interacts with

Anticoagulant/antiplatelet DrugsCytochrome P450 1a2 (cyp1a2) SubstratesCytochrome P450 2c19 (cyp2c19) SubstratesCytochrome P450 2c9 (cyp2c9) SubstratesCytochrome P450 2d6 (cyp2d6) SubstratesCytochrome P450 2e1 (cyp2e1) SubstratesCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) SubstratesWarfarin (coumadin)

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, propolis might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs.
In vitro research shows that propolis water extract and the propolis constituent, caffeic acid phenethyl ester, can inhibit platelet aggregation. Additionally, evidence from an animal model shows that taking propolis in addition to warfarin decreases INR, suggesting that propolis can decrease the effectiveness of warfarin.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Cytochrome P450 1A2 (Cyp1A2) Substrates

Theoretically, high doses of propolis might increase blood levels of drugs metabolized by CYP1A2.
In vitro research shows that propolis extract can inhibit CYP1A2. However, animal research shows that propolis extract does not significantly affect CYP1A2 activity when administered to rats at doses up to 250 mg/kg. It is postulated that the constituents of propolis that inhibit CYP1A2 in vitro do not have significant effects in vivo due to low bioavailability and hepatic first-pass effect. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Cytochrome P450 2C19 (Cyp2C19) Substrates

Theoretically, high doses of propolis might increase blood levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C19.
In vitro research shows that propolis extract can inhibit CYP2C19. However, animal research shows that propolis extract does not significantly affect CYP2C19 activity when administered to rats at doses up to 250 mg/kg. It is postulated that the constituents of propolis that inhibit CYP2C19 in vitro do not have significant effects in vivo due to low bioavailability and hepatic first-pass effect. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Cytochrome P450 2C9 (Cyp2C9) Substrates

Theoretically, high doses of propolis might increase blood levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C9.
In vitro research shows that propolis extract can inhibit CYP2C9. However, animal research shows that propolis extract does not significantly affect CYP2C9 activity when administered to rats at doses up to 250 mg/kg. It is postulated that the constituents of propolis that inhibit CYP2C9 in vitro do not have significant effects in vivo due to low bioavailability and hepatic first-pass effect. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Cytochrome P450 2D6 (Cyp2D6) Substrates

Theoretically, high doses of propolis might increase blood levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.
In vitro research shows that propolis extract can inhibit CYP2D6. However, animal research shows that propolis extract does not significantly affect CYP2D6 activity when administered to rats at doses up to 250 mg/kg. It is postulated that the constituents of propolis that inhibit CYP2D6 in vitro do not have significant effects in vivo due to low bioavailability and hepatic first-pass effect. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Cytochrome P450 2E1 (Cyp2E1) Substrates

Theoretically, propolis might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2E1.
In vitro research shows that propolis can inhibit CYP2E1. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Theoretically, high doses of propolis might increase blood levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
Some in vitro research shows that propolis extract can inhibit CYP3A4; however, other in vitro research shows that propolis has no effect on CYP3A4 activity. Furthermore, animal research shows that propolis extract does not significantly affect CYP3A4 activity when administered to rats at doses up to 250 mg/kg. It is postulated that the constituents of propolis that might in inhibit CYP3A4 in vitro do not have significant effects in vivo due to low bioavailability and hepatic first-pass effect. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Warfarin (Coumadin)

Theoretically, propolis might decrease the effectiveness of warfarin.
Animal research shows that taking propolis in addition to warfarin decreases the international normalized ratio (INR). This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Monograph

Propolis: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS · Reviewed July 2026 ·

The bottom line

Propolis is a natural, resin-like substance made by bees that has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties in lab studies. Early research suggests it may help with cold sores, mouth sores, and minor wounds, but high-quality evidence is limited for most uses. It is generally well tolerated, but allergic reactions can occur, especially in people allergic to bee products.

Part used: Resinous hive material collected by bees from tree buds and bark
Common forms: Capsules, tablets, lozenges, throat sprays, tinctures, liquid extracts, mouthwash, creams, ointments, and toothpaste

People commonly use it for

Cold sores and herpes lesions (topical)
Sore throat and mouth sores
Wound and skin healing
Immune support
Oral and gum health

Popular and traditional uses — not proof it works. See “Uses & effectiveness” below for the evidence.

Safety at a glance

OverallUse caution

Generally well tolerated short term, but allergic reactions are possible, especially in people sensitive to bee products.

PregnancyInsufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

Read the full pregnancy detail

BreastfeedingPossibly Safe

When used orally and appropriately during lactation. Propolis 300 mg daily has been used for 4-10 months in one clinical study with no apparent advers...

Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center). Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Jump to a section

Overview

Propolis is a sticky, resin-like material that honeybees make by mixing their saliva and wax with substances they gather from tree buds, sap, and bark. Bees use it as a kind of "glue" to seal small gaps in the hive and to help protect the hive against bacteria, fungi, and other germs.

People have used propolis in traditional medicine for thousands of years. Its exact makeup varies a lot depending on the plants, trees, and region where the bees collected it. For example, Brazilian green propolis and brown propolis can have different active compounds. This natural variation is one reason it is hard to compare results between studies.

Today, propolis is sold as capsules, lozenges, throat sprays, tinctures, mouthwashes, and skin creams. It is also added to some cosmetics, toothpastes, and chewing gums.

How it works

Propolis contains hundreds of natural compounds, including flavonoids, phenolic acids (such as caffeic acid phenethyl ester, or CAPE), and other plant-based substances. The exact mix depends on where the bees gathered their materials.

In laboratory studies, these compounds appear to have antimicrobial (germ-fighting), antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. Researchers think these actions may explain why propolis is traditionally used for infections, wounds, and inflammation.

It is important to remember that much of this evidence comes from test-tube and animal research. Effects seen in a lab do not always translate into clear benefits in people.

Effectiveness

Does Propolis work?

Here’s what the research actually shows for each use — graded by Natural Medicines and reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD.

Evidence overview · 41 uses evaluated

3 Possibly effective 38 Insufficient evidence

How to read these evidence grades

Natural Medicines’ 7-point scale. We show each rating’s label word-for-word.

1EffectiveStrong, consistent evidence it works.

2Likely EffectiveGood evidence, though not yet conclusive.

3Possibly EffectiveSome evidence suggests a benefit.

4Possibly IneffectiveSome evidence it may not help.

5Likely IneffectiveFairly strong evidence it doesn’t help.

6IneffectiveStrong evidence it doesn’t work.

7Insufficient Reliable Evidence to RateToo little research to say either way.

Possibly Effective Diabetes