Evidence supporting the use of: Bee propolis
For the health condition: Colds (antiviral)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Bee propolis has a long history of traditional use for supporting immune health and treating upper respiratory tract infections, including colds. More recently, scientific studies have begun to examine its antiviral and antimicrobial properties. Laboratory (in vitro) research has shown that bee propolis exhibits activity against several viruses, including some that cause respiratory infections. Proposed mechanisms involve the inhibition of viral replication and modulation of the immune response, attributed mainly to its flavonoid and phenolic compound content.
Some small clinical studies and randomized controlled trials have suggested that propolis supplements may reduce the duration and severity of cold symptoms in children and adults. For example, certain studies report that propolis may decrease the number of upper respiratory tract infections or shorten their course when used as a preventive supplement. However, these studies often have methodological limitations such as small sample sizes, variability in propolis composition, and lack of blinding.
Overall, while the preclinical and limited clinical evidence is promising and supports the traditional use of propolis for colds, larger and better-controlled studies are needed to confirm its efficacy. The current evidence base is suggestive rather than conclusive, so propolis use for colds is best viewed as complementary, with moderate scientific support.
Other ingredients used for Colds (antiviral)
AcacetinAgastache
AHCC
Allicin
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
Allspice
Allyl isothiocyanate
Allyl sulfide
Aloe vera
alpha-terpineol
alpinia galangal
amentoflavone
anamu
Andrographis
andrographolide
anthocyanins
apigenin
arabinogalactan
Asam gelugor
ash
Asteraceae
atractylone
Aureobasidium pullulans
Autumn elaeagnus
baicalin
Baikal Skullcap
balsam
Baphicacanthus cusia
Basidiomycota
basil
Bassia scoparia
bee hive
bee products
bee propolis
berry
beta-pinene
Bidens pilosa
bilberry
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black cumin
black currant
black galingale
black garlic
black nightshade
black seed
blueberry
Bombax
borneol
Broussonetia
buckthorn
caffeic Acid
Camellia sinensis
capillary artemisia
carrageenan
carvacrol
cat's claw
catechins
Celosia
Chinese mountain ant
Chinese raisintree
Chondrus
chrysanthemum
cinnamaldehyde
cinnamon
Cistus
citron
Citrus
citrus bioflavonoids
Clerodendrum trichotomum
clove
coconut
commiphora
common madia
coriolus mushroom
costus
cowherb
curry leaf
David\'s milkberry
deoxyandrographolides
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
Elder
elderberry
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
essential oil blend
European Elder
flavones
flavonoids
flavonones
forsythia
fruit
fulvic acid
fungus
Galangal
Gallesia
gallotannin
gamma-terpinene
ganoderma
garlic
garlic bulb
ginger
glyceryl monolaurate
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Glycyrrhizin
goji berry
goldthread
green tea
Hedyotis
Himalaya berry
honey
honey loquat syrup
honeysuckle
Houttuynia
hyssop
Indian frankincense
Indian kinotree
indigo leaves
Isatis
knotweed
labrador tea
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
Laggera pterodonta
lauric acid
lemon
lemongrass
lichen
licorice root
Ligusticum
ligustilides
Ligustrum
Litsea
liverwort
Lomatium
luffa
luteolin
mangostin
Mastic gum
Melia
Mineral ascorbate
Monolaurin
Monoterpenes
Morinda
Morus
Mugwort
Mushroom
Naphthoquinones
Neem tree
Neoandrographolides
nut grass
Nymphaea nouchali
oregano
oriental arborvitae
Osha
Osmanthus
Oxystelma
papaya
Paris polyphylla
Patrinia
pau d'arco
perilla
Petiveria
Phaeophyceae
Phellodendron
phellodendron amurense
phenolic compounds
Phenylpropanoids
Phyllanthus
pineapple
Piper nigrum
Polygonum
pomegranate
Propolis
quercetin
ravinsara
resveratrol
rhizome
rosemary
Salvia
Sambucus nigra
Sandalwood
saponins
schizonepeta
Sesquiterpenes
shiitake mushroom
Shikimic Acid
Shogaol
Smartweed
Solanaceae
Solanum indicum
Sophora
soursop
spirulina
Tagetes
Tamaricaceae
Tayuya
Tea
Terpenoids
Theaflavin
Thiosulfinate
thyme
Thymus
Trametes
Triterpenes
turmeric
Verbascoside
Viola
Violet
Visnea Mocanera
vitamin C
vitamin D
Wasabi
Waterhyssop
White Tea
xanthium (cockleburs)
Xanthorrhizol
zanthoxylum
Zinc
Zingiberene
Other health conditions supported by bee propolis
Abdominal PainAbrasions
Abscesses
Acne
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Arthritis
Asthma
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (external)
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Chicken Pox
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Conjunctivitis
Cuts
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Eczema
Eye Infections
Fungal Infections
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Gonorrhea
Hair Care (general)
Herpes
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Influenza
Injuries
Laryngitis
Oral Surgery
Psoriasis
Rashes and Hives
Scars / Scar Tissue
Scratches and Abrasions
Sore Throat
Staph Infections
