As a rough guideline, propolis typically consists of:
tree and vegetable resins: 50%
beeswax: 30%
pollen: 5%
essential and aromatic oils: 10%
Propolis also contains polyphenols, such as flavonoids, which are a type of antioxidant.
Medicinal properties
One 2019 review suggests that people have used bee propolis as a medicine since the year 300 BCTrusted Source. Ancient Egyptians used propolis for embalming, and some doctors used it during World War II to help with wound healing.
The same 2019 review suggests that it may have the following properties:
antibacterial
antifungal
antiviral
antiprotozoal, which means that it works against parasitic illnesses, such as giardiasis
anti-inflammatory
antioxidant
Some of the substances present in propolis may also have anticancer properties.
However, although laboratory and animal studies into the properties of propolis and its components are promising, few high quality studies have proven its effectiveness as a treatment for specific conditions in humans.
Potential uses
Modern research suggests that propolis may be useful for:
minor wounds
oral hygiene
inflammation
cold sores
The following sections will look at some of this research in more detail.
Wound healing
One 2015 reviewTrusted Source suggests that propolis may aid wound healing. An animal study in rats with diabetes showed that propolis helped the skin grow new cells in order to repair itself.
Because people with diabetes can experience slow wound healing, this suggests that propolis could be beneficial for helping the skin heal more quickly. As propolis also kills some types of bacteria, it may also help prevent infection.
Oral health
According to the same 2015 reviewTrusted Source, propolis also appears to prevent the formation of calcium phosphate, which is the main component of dental plaque.
