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Propolis

Supplement bee product immune
Aka: bee propolis, bee glue
Brands seen in Singapore: California Gold Nutrition, Nature's Answer, Beekeeper's Naturals, NOW Foods, NaturaNectar
Not medical advice. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before you start, stop or change the timing of anything you take.
How to use
What it’s for
Limited human evidence — immune markers barely moved
When to take
No timing rule given
Studied for
The one immune trial ran 12 weeks
Pros & cons
Pros
  • 27-trial meta-analysis: CRP fell, glutathione rose
  • Not on the HSA prohibited or restricted lists
Cons
  • Immune markers unchanged in a 12-week trial in over-60s
  • SAMe meta-analysis: no change in IL-10, IL-2, IL-8, MDA
  • 6.2% of patch-tested dermatitis patients reacted
Sources
  1. Propolis supplementation on inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (Frontiers in Nutrition, 2025) — abstract via Europe PMC REST, PMC12104767 · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “27 trials with 29 treatment arms … propolis consumption led to a significant decrease in C-reactive protein (CRP) … However, there were no significant effects on IL-10, IL-2, IL-8, pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)”
  2. Propolis does not significantly modulate immune function in an older population: A preliminary study (Pu et al., Heliyon 2024) — abstract via Europe PMC REST, PMC11699101 · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “Chinese propolis group (600 mg/day, n = 32) or the control group (n = 30) … No significant difference was detected in serum antibodies, cytokines, or lymphocyte and neutrophil functions between the two groups at any time point”
  3. Prevalence of Contact Allergy to Propolis — Testing With Different Propolis Patch Test Materials (Antelmi et al., Contact Dermatitis 2025) — abstract via Europe PMC REST, PMC11965539 · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “Its chemical composition varies depending on the plant species visited by the bees. Contact dermatitis is commonly reported following exposure to cosmetics containing propolis or following the intake of food supplements … 16 (6.2%) reacted to propolis”
  4. HSA Singapore — Health Supplements Guidelines GL-CHPB-3-001 Rev. No. 020 (January 2026), clause 4.8 (Tables 4–5 list vitamins and minerals only; no propolis row) · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “HS for use by the general adult population should not contain vitamins and minerals exceeding the stipulated limits stated in Tables 4 and 5”
  5. HSA Singapore — Guidelines on Prohibited and Restricted Ingredients in HS and TM, GL-CHPB-1-012 Rev. 001 (October 2025), clause 1.3; Annexes A and B checked · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “highlight the substances of concern when used in HS and TM and is not meant to be an exhaustive list [propolis, honey, beeswax and royal jelly are not listed in Annex A or B]”
  6. iHerb Singapore — “Propolis: 2X Extract Capsules, Throat Sprays & Drops” category page, default order, 58 results · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “California Gold Nutrition, Bee Propolis 2X … Nature's Answer, Propolis Extract, Ethanol-Free … Beekeeper's Naturals, Propolis Immune Support … NOW Foods, Propolis 1500 … NaturaNectar, Green Bee Propolis”
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Updated 2026-08-29. Every line above traces to a numbered source. Kozen-X is not a medical device and does not give medical advice. It lists what published sources have written down — nothing more. A pair not listed is unrecorded, not cleared. Before you start, stop or re-time anything, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.