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Dietary supplement

Organic Bee Propolis Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Dr. Mercola

Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Organic Bee Propolis is a dietary supplement by Dr. Mercola with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for cold sores and herpes lesions (topical), sore throat and mouth sores, wound and skin healing.Based on those ingredients, 921 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Bee Propolis Extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

Computed from our clinical databases

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Organic Bee Propolis by Dr. Mercola

Four independent checks of what is known — a summary of the available information, not a grade of the product itself.

Evidence for Intended Use
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 assessable

None of the active ingredients could be matched to our evidence database, so intended use can't be graded.

Why this rating?
  • None of the active ingredients could be matched to a HelloPharmacist monograph, so intended use can't be graded against our evidence data.
Ingredient Transparency
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.
  • “Bee Propolis Extract” is listed as a grouped ingredient — the label gives one combined amount (125 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.
Known Interaction Concern
Not assessable

None of the active ingredients could be matched to our interaction database.

Why this rating?
  • We couldn't match any ingredient to a HelloPharmacist monograph, so there was nothing to check interactions against.
Safety Information
Unable to assess

None of the active ingredients could be matched to our safety data.

Why this rating?
  • We couldn't match any ingredient to a HelloPharmacist monograph, so there was no safety data to measure.

HelloPharmacist summaryFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Medication interactions could not be assessed, and safety information could not be assessed.

Assessment coverage: 0 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Dec 21, 2024.

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 Organic Bee Propolis, straight from the product label.

Brand Dr. Mercola
Barcode (UPC) 810094212643
Net contents 30 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Dec 21, 2024
DSLD ID 327188
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Organic
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 Organic Bee Propolis by Dr. Mercola, 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:
1 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
30
UPC/BARCODE
810094212643
IngredientAmount% DV
Polyphenols30 mg--
Bee Propolis Extract125 mg--

Other ingredients: Gum Acacia, Pullulan, Brown Sugar, Silicon Dioxide

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.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: Adults, as a dietary supplement, take one (1) capsule daily.

Precautions

Keep out of reach of children.

Do not use if safety seal is broken.

If you are nursing, pregnant, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult your physician before taking this product.

Formulation

USDA Organic

Certified organic by: Oregon Tilth

Seals/Symbols

USDA Organic

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

General Statements

Providing quality products since 2001.

See for yourself

Organic Bee Propolis by Dr. Mercola label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Organic Bee Propolis by Dr. Mercola

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

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container30 Amounts shown are per serving.

Bee Propolis Extract

Interacts with
921 drugs
125 mg per serving

Propolis is a natural, resin-like substance made by bees that has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties in lab studies. Early research sugges...

Bee Propolis Extract monograph & interactions
  • › Polyphenols

Other (inactive) ingredients: Gum Acacia, Pullulan, Brown Sugar, Silicon Dioxide. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Organic Bee Propolis by Dr. Mercola Drug Interactions

Organic Bee Propolis contains a single active ingredient, and it has known interactions with 921 medications. Here’s the picture, then you can look up your own drug.

Want to check YOUR meds against Organic Bee Propolis?

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
921Drugs
921 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Organic Bee Propolis 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 Propolis Extract8 drug types · 921 drugs

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
The maker

Brand information

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

Dr. Mercola

See all Dr. Mercola products
Name
NHP
Street Address
125 SW 3rd Place
City
Cape Coral
State
FL
ZipCode
33991
Phone Number
(877) 985-2696
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Organic Bee Propolis by Dr. Mercola: Common Questions

Does Organic Bee Propolis by Dr. Mercola interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Organic Bee Propolis has a known interaction with 921 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Organic Bee Propolis 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.

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

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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.

Organic Bee Propolis label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Organic Bee Propolis’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Organic Bee Propolis'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 21 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.

Propolis 21 references
  1. Hay KD, Greig DE. Propolis allergy: a cause of oral mucositis with ulceration. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 1990;70:584-6. PubMed
  2. Li YJ, Lin JL, Yang CW, Yu CC. Acute renal failure induced by a Brazilian variety of propolis. Am J Kidney Dis 2005;46:e125-9. PubMed
  3. Jensen CD, Andersen KE. Allergic contact dermatitis from cera alba (purified propolis) in a lip balm and candy. Contact Dermatitis 2006;55:312-3. PubMed
  4. Chen, T. G., Lee, J. J., Lin, K. H., Shen, C. H., Chou, D. S., and Sheu, J. R. Antiplatelet activity of caffeic acid phenethyl ester is mediated through a cyclic GMP-dependent pathway in human platelets. Chin J Physiol 6-30-2007;50(3):121-126.
  5. Hsu, C. Y., Chiang, W. C., Weng, T. I., Chen, W. J., and Yuan, A. Laryngeal edema and anaphalactic shock after topical propolis use for acute pharyngitis. Am J Emerg.Med 2004;22(5):432-433. PubMed
  6. Black, R. J. Vulval eczema associated with propolis sensitization from topical therapies treated successfully with pimecrolimus cream. Clin Exp.Dermatol. 2005;30(1):91-92. PubMed
  7. Matos D, Serrano P, Brandao FM. A case of allergic contact dermatitis caused by propolis-enriched honey. Contact Dermatitis 2015;72(1):59-60. PubMed
  8. Naramoto K, Kato M, Ichihara K. Effects of an ethanol extract of Brazilian green propolis on human cytochrome P450 enzyme activities in vitro. J Agric Food Chem 2014;62(46):11296-302. PubMed
  9. Nyman G, Hagvall L. A case of allergic contact cheilitis caused by propolis and honey. Contact Dermatitis 2016;74(3):186-7. PubMed
  10. Ryu CS, Oh SJ, Oh JM, et al. Inhibition of cytochrome P450 by propolis in human liver microsomes. Toxicol Res 2016;32(3):207-13. PubMed
  11. Akbay E, Özenirler Ç, Çelemli ÖG, Durukan AB, Onur MA, Sorkun K. Effects of propolis on warfarin efficacy. Kardiochir Torakochirurgia Pol. 2017;14(1):43-46. PubMed
  12. Lamoureux A, Meharon M, Durand AL, Darrigade AS, Doutre MS, Milpied B. A first case of erythema multiforme-like contact dermatitis caused by propolis. Contact Dermatitis. 2017;77(4):263-264. PubMed
  13. Piredda M, Facchinetti G, Biagioli V, et al. Propolis in the prevention of oral mucositis in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy: A pilot randomised controlled trial. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl). 2017;26(6). PubMed
  14. Zhang YX, Yang TT, Xia L, Zhang WF, Wang JF, Wu YP. Inhibitory Effect of Propolis on Platelet Aggregation In Vitro. J Healthc Eng. 2017;2017:3050895. PubMed
  15. Nyman GSA, Tang M, Inerot A, Osmancevic A, Malmberg P, Hagvall L. Contact allergy to beeswax and propolis among patients with cheilitis or facial dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis 2019;81(2):110-6. PubMed
  16. Igarashi G, Segawa T, Akiyama N, et al. Efficacy of Brazilian propolis supplementation for japanese lactating women for atopic sensitization and nonspecific symptoms in their offspring: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Evid Based Comp PubMed
  17. Soleimani D, Rezaie M, Rajabzadeh F, et al. Protective effects of propolis on hepatic steatosis and fibrosis among patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) evaluated by real-time two-dimensional shear wave elastography: a randomized clinical
  18. D'Ercole MC. Prolonged use of propolis can increase liver enzymes. J Gastrointestin Liver Dis 2020;29(3):468-9. PubMed
  19. Cho E, Lee JD, Cho SH. Systemic contact dermatitis from propolis ingestion. Ann Dermatol. 2011;23(1):85-88. PubMed
  20. Hallajzadeh J, Milajerdi A, Amirani E, Attari VE, Maghsoudi H, Mirhashemi SM. Effects of propolis supplementation on glycemic status, lipid profiles, inflammation and oxidative stress, liver enzymes, and body weight: a systematic review and meta-analysis
  21. Gheflati A, Dehnavi Z, Ghannadzadeh Yazdi A, Khorasanchi Z, Raeisi-Dehkordi H, Ranjbar G. The effects of propolis supplementation on metabolic parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials. Avicenna J Phytomed

See these in context on the Propolis 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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