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Dietary supplement

Bee Pollen Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Nature's Sunshine

Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Bee Pollen is a dietary supplement by Nature's Sunshine with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for general energy and vitality, immune support, nutritional supplement.Based on those ingredients, 2 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Bee Pollen. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Bee Pollen by Nature's Sunshine

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: bee pollen, the pollen collected by honeybees mixed with nectar and enzymes. The capsule itself is made with gelatin and water as inactive ingredients.

Does it work?

Not established
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use — see Bee Pollen's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: General nutrition support and respiratory health.
  • We looked for evidence on: Athletic performance, Energy, Immune function, Vitality.
  • The closest evidence on file: Bee Pollen is rated "Possibly Ineffective" for Athletic performance (Natural Medicines).

The evidence for bee pollen is mixed and limited. It's rated possibly ineffective for athletic performance.

For other uses — hay fever, absent periods (amenorrhea), enlarged prostate, and breast cancer-related hot flashes — there isn't enough reliable evidence yet to say whether it works or doesn't.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Bee Pollen

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Bee pollen is generally well tolerated by most people, but it can trigger allergic reactions, sometimes severe — especially if you have a history of pollen allergies, particularly to ragweed or plants in the daisy family (chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies). Serious reactions are rare but can include anaphylaxis.

There have also been rare cases of liver inflammation (hepatitis) linked to bee pollen use, though it's sometimes unclear if bee pollen alone was the cause. The safety data during pregnancy advises against use.

There isn't enough information to know whether it's safe while breastfeeding, so it's best avoided until you talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Bee Pollen

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Bee Pollen.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs.
  • For scale: 2 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Check your medications if you take warfarin (Coumadin) or any other blood thinner — bee pollen may increase their effect and your bleeding risk. Use the medication checker on this page to verify your specific drugs before you start.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Bee pollen may appeal to you if you're exploring natural options for athletic performance or seasonal allergies, but the evidence for it is weak or missing. If you take blood thinners like warfarin, you must check with your pharmacist first.

If you have a pollen allergy history, be extra cautious — allergic reactions can be serious.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Oct 24, 2022.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Bee Pollen, straight from the product label.

Brand Nature's Sunshine
Barcode (UPC) 099904000704
Net contents 100 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Oct 24, 2022
DSLD ID 277985
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Bee Pollen by Nature's Sunshine, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
2 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
50
UPC/BARCODE
099904000704
IngredientAmount% DV
Bee Pollen900 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Water

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

General Statements

Bottle made from 100% post consumer recycled material. We are committed to you and our planet. Scan to learn more.

We source the world's purest ingredients, no matter where they are grown, to ensure the active nutrients are delivered just as nature intended.

New look! Same great product

Seals/Symbols

Ko Pareve (Kosher)

Formula

Ko Pareve (Kosher)

Precautions

Do not use if inner seal is missing or damaged.

Formulation

General nutrition support Traditionally used to support respiratory health

Guaranteed pure

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Brand IP Statement(s)

Natures Sunshine Herbal experts since 1972

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Recommended Use: Take 2 capsules with a meal twice daily.

See for yourself

Bee Pollen by Nature's Sunshine label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Bee Pollen by Nature's Sunshine

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size2 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container50 Amounts shown are per serving.

Bee Pollen

Interacts with
2 drugs
900 mg per serving

Bee pollen is a nutrient-rich product collected by bees and marketed as a 'superfood' for energy and immune support, but solid human evidence for most...

Bee Pollen monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Water. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Bee Pollen by Nature's Sunshine Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Bee Pollen?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
2Drugs
2 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Bee Pollen with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Bee Pollen1 drug type · 2 drugs

Warfarin (Coumadin)

There is some concern that bee pollen might interact with warfarin and increase the risk of bleeding.
In one case report, a patient on warfarin had a stable international normalized ratio (INR) of 1.9-3.3 for 9 months. The patient's INR was found to be 7.1 after starting bee pollen granules one teaspoon twice daily for approximately one month. The patient's warfarin dose was decreased by approximately 11% in order to return the INR to the therapeutic range while continuing the bee pollen supplement.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Bee Pollen, from the product label.

Nature's Sunshine

See all Nature's Sunshine products
Name
Nature's Sunshine Products, Inc.
City
Spanish Fork
State
UT
ZipCode
84660
Phone Number
1-800-223-8225
Web Address
www.naturessunshine.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Bee Pollen by Nature's Sunshine: Common Questions

Does Bee Pollen by Nature's Sunshine interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Bee Pollen has a known interaction with 2 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Bee Pollen contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take bee pollen if I have pollen allergies?
You should be careful. If you have a history of pollen allergies — especially to ragweed or plants in the daisy family — bee pollen can trigger serious allergic reactions, sometimes including anaphylaxis. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor first.
What are the side effects?
Most people tolerate it well with no problems. Serious side effects are rare but include severe allergic reactions (itching, swelling, shortness of breath, anaphylaxis) and liver inflammation. Stop and seek help if you develop signs of an allergic reaction or unexplained fatigue and yellowing of the eyes or skin.
Is bee pollen safe during pregnancy?
The safety data advises against it during pregnancy. Don't use it without talking to your doctor first.
Is it safe while breastfeeding?
There isn't enough information to know whether it's safe while breastfeeding. It's best avoided unless your doctor or pharmacist says otherwise.
Does bee pollen actually help with athletic performance?
The evidence suggests it probably doesn't help. It's rated possibly ineffective for athletic performance.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Bee Pollen is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Bee Pollen label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Bee Pollen's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 15 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Bee Pollen 15 references
  1. Foster S, Tyler VE. Tyler's Honest Herbal: A Sensible Guide to the Use of Herbs and Related Remedies. 3rd ed., Binghamton, NY: Haworth Herbal Press, 1993.
  2. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  3. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
  4. Shad JA, Chinn CG, Brann OS. Acute hepatitis after ingestion of herbs. South Med J 1999;92:1095-7. PubMed
  5. Puente S, Iniguez A, Subirats M, et al. [Eosinophilic gastroenteritis caused by bee pollen sensitization]. Med Clin (Barc) 1997;108:698-700.
  6. Winther K, Hedman C. Assessment of the Effects of the Herbal Remedy Femal on the Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Curr Ther Res Clin Exp 2002;63:344-53. DOI
  7. Cohen SH, Yunginger JW, Rosenberg N, Fink JN. Acute allergic reaction after composite pollen ingestion. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1979;64:270-4. PubMed
  8. Hurren KM, Lewis CL. Probable interaction between warfarin and bee pollen. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2010;67:2034-7. PubMed
  9. Akiyasu T, Paudyal B, Paudyal P, et al. A case report of acute renal failure associated with bee pollen contained in nutritional supplements. Ther Apher Dial 2010;14:93-7. PubMed
  10. Greenberger, P. A. and Flais, M. J. Bee pollen-induced anaphylactic reaction in an unknowingly sensitized subject. Ann.Allergy Asthma Immunol 2001;86(2):239-242. PubMed
  11. Lin FL, Vaughan TR, Vandewalker ML, et al. Hypereosinophilia, neurologic, and gastrointestinal symptoms after bee-pollen ingestion. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1989;83(4):793-796. PubMed
  12. Mansfield LE, Goldstein GB. Anaphylactic reaction after ingestion of local bee pollen. Ann Allergy 1981;47(3):154-156.
  13. Choi JH, Jang YS, Oh JW, Kim CH, Hyun IG. Bee pollen-induced anaphylaxis: a case report and literature review. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res 2015 Sep;7(5):513-7. PubMed
  14. Nonotte-Varly C. Allergenicity of Artemisia contained in bee pollen is proportional to its mass. Eur Ann Allergy Clin Immunol 2015;47(6):218-24.
  15. Leang ZX, Thalayasingam M, O'Sullivan M. A paediatric case of exercise-augmented anaphylaxis following bee pollen ingestion in Western Australia. Asia Pac Allergy. 2022 Jul 12;12(3):e23. PubMed

See these in context on the Bee Pollen monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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