Bee Pollen Complex 1000 Plus [Discontinued] by Good 'N Natural

POSSIBLY INEFFECTIVE

• Athletic performance. Small clinical studies suggest that oral bee pollen may not improve athletic performance. Details: Clinical research in athletes shows that taking bee pollen supplements orally does not seem to improve athletic performance or stamina (7062,7063,33973).

INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE

• Aging. Although there has been interest in using oral bee pollen for aging, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of bee pollen for this purpose.
• Allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Although there has been interest in using oral bee pollen for allergic rhinitis (hay fever), there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of bee pollen for this purpose.
• Amenorrhea. Although there has been interest in using oral bee pollen for amenorrhea, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of bee pollen for this purpose.
• Atopic dermatitis (eczema). Although there has been interest in using topical bee pollen for atopic dermatitis (eczema), there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of bee pollen for this purpose.
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Although there has been interest in using oral bee pollen for BPH, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of bee pollen for this purpose.
• Bleeding. Although there has been interest in using oral bee pollen for bleeding, including intracranial hemorrhage, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of bee pollen for these conditions.
• Breast cancer-related hot flashes. It is unclear if oral bee pollen is beneficial for the treatment of menopause-like symptoms in breast cancer patients. Details: Preliminary clinical research in breast cancer patients suggests that taking a combination of bee pollen and honey does not reduce hot flashes or other menopause-like symptoms when compared with honey alone (91983).
• Constipation. Although there has been interest in using oral bee pollen for constipation, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of bee pollen for this purpose.
• Diarrhea. Although there has been interest in using oral bee pollen for diarrhea, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of bee pollen for this purpose.
• Diaper rash. Although there has been interest in using topical bee pollen for diaper rash, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of bee pollen for this purpose.
• Dysmenorrhea. Although there has been interest in using oral bee pollen for dysmenorrhea, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of bee pollen for this purpose.
• Obesity. Although there has been interest in using oral bee pollen for obesity, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of bee pollen for this purpose.
• Oral mucositis. Although there has been interest in using oral bee pollen for oral mucositis, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of bee pollen for this purpose.
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Oral bee pollen has only been studied in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: Preliminary clinical research shows that taking two tablets twice daily of a specific combination product (Female, Natumin Pharma) containing royal jelly 6 mg, bee pollen extract 36 mg, and bee pollen with pistil extract 120 mg per tablet over a period of 2 menstrual cycles seems to decrease some symptoms of PMS, including irritability, weight gain, and edema, when compared with placebo (12008). More evidence is needed to rate bee pollen for these uses.

(Read more about BEE POLLEN)

POSSIBLY EFFECTIVE

• Diabetes. Oral propolis seems to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes; however, some conflicting evidence exists. Details: A meta-analysis of six clinical trials including 374 patients with type 2 diabetes shows that taking propolis for 8 weeks to 6 months reduces glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) by 0.5% and fasting plasma glucose by 14 mg/dL when compared with placebo. However, significant improvements in insulin levels or measures of insulin resistance were lacking (102520). While this pooled analysis suggests that propolis is modestly effective for improving glycemic control, individual study results are mixed. Three of the trials in the analysis failed to demonstrate significant improvements in HbA1c or glucose levels; however, all of these studies were small and likely underpowered to detect meaningful improvements in glycemic control (102523,102524,102525). Other studies showed positive results, with reductions in HbA1c ranging from 0.9% to 1.1% and reductions in fasting plasma glucose ranging from 21 mg/dL to 26 mg/dL. The doses and durations of propolis therapy in these studies included 400 mg daily for 6 months (99173), 900 mg daily for 12 weeks (95883), and 500 mg three times daily for 8 weeks (102521).
• Herpes labialis (cold sores). Topical propolis ointment or cream, applied five times daily, may improve lesion healing and reduce symptoms in patients with cold sores. Details: One small clinical study in patients with cold sores shows that applying a specific propolis 3% ointment (Herstat or ColdSore-FX by Afexa), five times daily at the start of symptoms, reduces cold sore duration by about 3-4 days and may reduce cold sore-related pain when compared with placebo (17664,17665). Larger clinical studies in patients with cold sores in the papular or vesicular stages show that applying a lip cream containing a specific propolis extract (GH2002) 0.5% five times daily for 5-10 days reduces the time to complete encrustation/epithelialization by about 1 day and improves symptoms of pain, burning, itching, tension, and swelling when compared with acyclovir 5% cream (95875,102519).
• Oral mucositis. Most clinical research shows that oral propolis or propolis-containing mouthwash can reduce the risk for severe, chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis. Details: A meta-analysis of five clinical trials including 209 patients shows that using mouthwash containing propolis reduces the odds of severe chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis by 65% when compared with placebo in cancer patients (99171). Rinsing with 5-10 mL of a propolis mouth rinse for 1 minute three times daily, alone or in addition to chlorhexidine mouthwash and fluconazole for 7-14 days, improves mucositis and redness when compared to control in patients receiving chemotherapy (92793,95877). A small clinical study in patients receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer also shows that taking tablets of propolis (Natur Farma S.A.S.) 80 mg two or three times daily for 3 weeks, in addition to rinsing with sodium bicarbonate solution, decreases the development of mucositis when compared with only rinsing with sodium bicarbonate solution (95882). However, at least one high quality clinical study shows that rinsing with 7 mL of a specific product (Faringel, Cadigroup) containing propolis extract 6% and other ingredients three times daily for 6 weeks does not prevent the development of mucositis due to chemotherapy when compared with placebo in patients with head and neck cancer (95879).

INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE

• Athletic performance. It is unclear if oral propolis is beneficial for improving athletic performance. Details: A small clinical study in healthy male military cadets shows that taking propolis 450 mg twice daily for 4 weeks does not improve measures of aerobic or anaerobic performance during exercise testing when compared with placebo (108519).
• Atopic disease. It is unclear if oral propolis can prevent atopic disease in lactating adults or their infants. Details: A small clinical study in lactating adults shows that taking propolis 300 mg daily for 4-10 months does not appear to reduce the risk for developing atopic disease in either the mothers or their infants when compared with placebo (102518). However, due to the small sample size, this study may have been inadequately powered to detect a difference between groups.
• Breast cancer. It is unclear if oral propolis is beneficial in patients with breast cancer. Details: A small clinical study in patients with stage II or III breast cancer receiving chemotherapy shows that taking propolis 250 mg twice daily for 3 months improves quality of life and nutritional status when compared with placebo (108518). It is unknown if propolis can increase the likelihood of survival or remission in patients with breast cancer.
• Burns. It is unclear if topical propolis is beneficial in patients with minor burns. Details: One small clinical study in patients with minor burns shows that application of propolis cream to burn wounds every 3 days improves healing and reduces inflammation when compared with silver sulfadiazine. Propolis cream seems to be as effective for preventing infection as silver sulfadiazine in these patients (8663).
• Canker sores. It is unclear if oral propolis is beneficial in patients with canker sores. Details: A very small clinical study in patients with recurrent canker sores shows that taking propolis 500 mg daily for 6-13 months significantly reduces canker sore outbreaks and improves quality of life when compared with placebo. A 50% or greater reduction in cold sore outbreaks was reported in 60% and 11% of patients taking propolis or placebo, respectively (17629).
• Catheter-related infections. It is unclear if topical propolis is beneficial for the prevention of catheter-related infections. Details: One small clinical study in patients with peritoneal dialysis catheters shows that cleaning the exit site after dialysis with a normal saline wash and propolis 10% ointment for 6 months does not reduce the rate of catheter site infections when compared with using normal saline wash plus mupirocin 2% ointment or normal saline wash alone (109985).
• Chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is unclear if oral propolis is beneficial in patients with CKD. Details: A small clinical study in patients with CKD shows that taking Brazilian green propolis extract (EPP-AF) 250 mg twice daily for 12 months reduces proteinuria, but does not increase estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), when compared with placebo (105785).
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Oral propolis has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: Preliminary clinical research in patients with frequent exacerbations of COPD shows that taking a combination of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) 1200 mg and propolis 160 mg orally once daily for 3 months reduces the incidence of acute exacerbations during 1 year of follow-up when compared with placebo or a lower dose combination of NAC 600mg and propolis 80 mg (109984). Further research shows that using the higher dose combination for 6 months reduces acute exacerbations, cough, and overall COPD severity, and increases dyspnea-free walking distance, when compared with placebo or the lower dose combination (109986).
• Common cold. It is unclear if oral propolis is beneficial in patients with the common cold. Details: One small clinical study in patients with rhinovirus infection shows that taking propolis (dose and duration unknown) might decrease the duration of cold symptoms 2.5-fold when compared with placebo (6602).
• Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It is unclear if oral propolis is beneficial for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. Details: A small observational study in healthcare professionals working in an emergency department shows that taking a 30% Anatolian propolis solution as 20 drops twice daily for one month reduces the occurrence of COVID-19 positivity to 2 of 102 subjects, compared with 14 of 102 in an untreated control group (109983). The validity of this study is limited by the lack of blinding and randomization. A small, open-label clinical study in hospitalized adults with COVID-19 shows that taking a standardized green propolis extract (EPP-AF) 100 mg or 200 mg four times daily for 7 days, along with conventional therapy, reduces length of hospital stay by around 5-6 days, but does not affect the need for supplemental oxygen, odds of intubation, or admission to the intensive care unit, when compared with conventional therapy alone (108514).
• Dengue fever. It is unclear if oral propolis is beneficial in patients with dengue fever. Details: A small clinical study in patients with dengue hemorrhagic fever shows that taking propolis extract (Propoelix) 400 mg three times daily for 7 days reduces the length of hospital stay by about 18 hours when compared with placebo. This was based on being deemed technically fit for discharge because of a recovery of platelet counts. The effect of propolis on other symptoms of dengue fever was not investigated in this study (99168).
• Dental caries. It is unclear if topical propolis, used either as a chewing gum or mouthwash, can prevent dental caries in children. Details: One small clinical trial in children 6-8 years of age at high risk of dental caries shows that chewing propolis gum twice daily for 20 minutes or rinsing with 10 mL of propolis 2% mouthwash for 1 minute twice daily for 2 weeks reduces plaque and Streptococcus mutans count when compared to baseline. There were no differences between the two propolis formulations; however, children preferred the chewing gum over the mouthwash (105790). The validity of these findings is limited by a lack of control group.
• Denture stomatitis. Small clinical studies suggest that topical propolis may speed recovery in patients with denture stomatitis. Details: One very small clinical study in denture-bearing patients with prosthesis stomatitis candidiasis shows that applying Brazilian green propolis 20% ethanol extract topically four times daily for 7 days can cause regression of candidiasis lesions. After 7 days, 58% of patients treated with propolis and 67% of patients treated with nystatin had total lesion remission. After 15 days, all patients in both groups saw total lesion remission (70070). Also, two small clinical studies in patients with denture-induced oral mucositis show that applying propolis 2% to 3% gel (EPP-AF) to dentures three to four times daily for 7-14 days improves the cure rate and reduces erythema. In these studies, propolis appeared to be comparable to applying miconazole to dentures (95881,95884).
• Depression. It is unclear if oral propolis is beneficial as adjunct therapy in patients with depression. Details: A small clinical study in patients with moderate to severe depression inadequately managed with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) shows that taking propolis 1000 mg daily for 6 weeks, in addition to SSRI therapy, reduces symptoms of depression, as measured on the 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), when compared with placebo (108523).
• Diabetic foot ulcers. It is unclear if topical propolis is beneficial in patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Details: A small clinical study in patients with diabetic foot ulcers shows that topical application of propolis 5% ointment in addition to routine care for 4 weeks reduces ulcer size about 2.5-fold more than routine care alone (99172).
• Genital herpes. It is unclear if topical propolis is beneficial in patients with genital herpes. Details: A small clinical study in patients with recurrent genital herpes caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) shows that applying propolis 3% ointment (Herstat or ColdSore-FX by Afexa) four times daily for 10 days reduces healing time and increases the relative rate of complete healing by 1.7- and 2-fold when compared with acyclovir 5% ointment and placebo, respectively (1926).
• Gingivitis. Small clinical studies suggest that topical propolis may modestly improve symptoms in patients with gingivitis. Details: A small clinical study shows that rinsing with a propolis 2% solution 20 mL twice daily for 21 days is as effective as a rinse containing sodium fluoride 0.05% plus cetylpyridinium chloride 0.05% for the prevention of induced gingival redness and bleeding (99169). Another small clinical study in patients with gingivitis shows that rinsing with a propolis solution twice daily for 4 weeks reduces gingival bleeding, but does not improve plaque index, when compared with placebo (108513). Propolis has also been evaluated in combination with other ingredients. One small clinical study in patients with plaque-induced gingivitis shows that adjuvant therapy with a topical gel containing propolis and other ingredients (Oralsan NBF gel, IDS SpA) for 15 days following scaling and root planing is as effective as a chlorhexidine-based gel for improving bleeding, plaque, and probing depth (99170). Another small clinical study in patients with generalized or localized gingivitis or stage I periodontitis shows that taking 194 mg of a product containing propolis and mangosteen improves the modified gingival index by 31% or 40% at weeks 4 or 8, respectively, compared with 16% or 25% in those receiving placebo. No changes in probing depth, clinical attachment, plaque index, bleeding, or gingival recession were observed (106789).
• Helicobacter pylori. It is unclear if oral propolis is beneficial in patients with H. pylori infection. Details: One very small, uncontrolled clinical study in patients with H. pylori infection shows that taking 60 drops of an alcoholic preparation of Brazilian green propolis daily for 7 days does not reduce H. pylori infection when compared to baseline (70107).
• HIV/AIDS. Although there has been interest in using oral propolis as an adjunct to antiretroviral therapy for HIV/AIDS, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of propolis for this purpose.
• Intestinal parasite infection. It is unclear if oral propolis is beneficial in patients with giardiasis. Details: One small clinical study in adults with giardia infection shows that taking a specific propolis 30% extract (Propolisina, Apis Flora) for 5 days increases cure rates when compared with tinidazole. The cure rate was 60% with propolis extract, compared to only 40% with tinidazole. In children with giardiasis, taking propolis 10% extract showed a 52% cure rate; however, the rate of cure with tinidazole was not available (70121).
• Malnutrition. It is unclear if oral red propolis is beneficial in malnourished children with frequent respiratory tract infections. Details: A small clinical study in children aged 1-5 years with frequent respiratory tract infections and growth failure associated with malnutrition shows that giving 3% red propolis in 8 mL (10 grams) of honey once daily in addition to adequate nutrition does not improve weight gain or reduce the frequency of respiratory infections when compared with honey plus adequate nutrition (109987).
• Muscle fatigue. It is unclear if oral propolis is beneficial for speeding recovery from muscle fatigue. Details: One small study in young, healthy males shows that taking Brazilian green propolis 1575 mg before meals three times daily for one week, followed by exercise to induce muscle fatigue, reduces the time to regain maximal contraction torque after stopping when compared with placebo or a 100-mg dose of propolis. There was no difference in average peak power between the groups (109989).
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It is unclear if oral propolis is beneficial in patients with NAFLD. Details: One small clinical study in patients with NAFLD shows that taking propolis extract 250 mg twice daily for 4 months improves markers of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis, but does not improve liver function, when compared with placebo (105786). Another small study in adults with obesity and NAFLD shows that taking propolis 510 mg daily for 8 weeks with a calorie-restricted diet reduces liver fibrosis, fasting blood glucose levels, serum insulin levels, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) when compared with placebo. However, it does not affect the severity of fatty liver, anthropometric measurements, lipid profile, or levels of inflammatory markers (109988).
• Peptic ulcers. Although there has been interest in using oral propolis for peptic ulcers, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of propolis for this purpose.
• Periodontitis. It is unclear if oral propolis or propolis extract rinse is beneficial in patients with periodontitis. Details: One small clinical study in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic periodontitis also receiving scaling and root planing shows that taking propolis 400 mg daily for 6 months reduces probing depth and improves clinical attachment by a small amount when compared with scaling and planing alone. There was no additional benefit with propolis on measures of gingivitis, plaque, or bleeding when compared with scaling and planing alone (99173). Another very small clinical study in patients with chronic periodontitis shows that irrigation of the gums with an ethanol solution containing propolis extract 20% twice weekly for 2 weeks reduces gum bleeding when compared with irrigation with ethanol 14% solution (95876). Propolis has also been evaluated in combination with other ingredients. A small clinical study in patients with generalized or localized gingivitis or stage I periodontitis shows that taking 194 mg of a product containing propolis and mangosteen improves the modified gingival index by 31% or 40% at weeks 4 or 8, respectively, compared with 16% or 25% in those receiving placebo. No changes in probing depth, clinical attachment, plaque index, bleeding, or gingival recession were observed (106789).
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is unclear if oral propolis is beneficial in patients with RA. Details: A small clinical study in females with RA shows that taking Brazilian propolis 508.5 mg daily for 24 weeks does not improve measures of disease activity, quality of life, or activities of daily living when compared with placebo (108515).
• Sepsis. It is unclear if oral propolis is beneficial in patients with sepsis. Details: A small clinical study in patients with pneumosepsis shows that taking propolis 1000 mg daily along with conventional therapy does not improve survival rates or disease severity, as measured using APACHE II and SOFA scores, when compared with placebo. The combination of propolis 1000 mg plus melatonin 20 mg daily did improve disease severity scores but had no effect on survival (108524).
• Tinea pedis. It is unclear if topical propolis is beneficial in patients with tinea pedis. Details: A case series involving students with athlete's foot found that topical treatment with a 100 mg/mL ethanolic extract of Brazilian green propolis results in less skin itching, peeling, and redness when compared with petroleum jelly placebo, but not when compared with miconazole (95880).
• Tuberculosis. Although there has been interest in using oral propolis for tuberculosis, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of propolis for this purpose.
• Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). It is unclear if oral propolis spray is beneficial in patients with URTI. Details: One small clinical study in patients reporting mild URTI symptoms shows that use of a propolis oral spray (M.E.D. Propolis, B Natural srl), 2-4 sprays daily, providing 6 mg of polyphenols per spray, for 5 days reduces the time to complete resolution of symptoms by 2 days when compared with placebo (105787). Propolis has also been evaluated in combination with other ingredients. A large clinical study in children 1-5 years of age shows that taking 5-7.5 mL of a specific combination product (Chizukit, Hadas Corp Ltd.) containing propolis 50 mg/mL, echinacea extract 50 mg/mL, and vitamin C 10 mg/mL for 12 weeks reduces the number of children who experience one or more upper respiratory tract illnesses, as well as the number and duration of illnesses, when compared with placebo (48551). It is unclear if these findings are due to propolis, other ingredients, or the combination.
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs). Oral propolis has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: A meta-analysis of 3 small clinical studies in adults with uncomplicated UTIs shows that taking combination products containing propolis, Hibiscus sabdariffa, and gelatin or xyloglucan daily for 5-10 days, then daily for two weeks each month for two months, reduces the odds of UTI recurrence by 87% when compared with control (108520). One of these studies used a specific product (Utipro Plus, Noventure) containing propolis 100 mg, xyloglucan extract 100 mg, Hibiscus sabdariffa extract 100 mg, and gelatin 50 mg once daily for 15 consecutive days each month for 6 months (101734). A small clinical study in females with recurrent UTIs shows that taking two capsules of a specific combination product (DUAB, Nutrivercell) containing propolis, cranberry, and zinc daily for 6 months reduces the number of recurrent UTIs by around 0.8 and delays the time to first recurrent UTI by around 26 days when compared with placebo (102522).
• Vaginitis. It is unclear if topical propolis is beneficial in patients with vaginitis. Details: A small clinical study in patients with chronic vaginitis shows that applying 50 mL of a specific aqueous solution containing propolis 5% (Melprotect, Melbrosin International) to the vagina for 7 days can reduce symptoms and improve quality of life when compared to baseline (70068). The validity of these findings is limited by a lack of control group.
• Warts. It is unclear if oral propolis is beneficial in patients with warts. Details: One small clinical study in adults and children with common and plane warts shows that taking propolis (Bee Propolis, Pollen) 500 mg orally daily for up to 3 months increases wart cure rates when compared with echinacea or placebo. Common warts were cured in 73% of patients taking propolis, compared to 20% taking echinacea and 8% taking placebo. Plane warts were cured in 75% of patients taking propolis, compared with 36% taking echinacea and 21% taking placebo. Neither propolis nor echinacea were effective for treating plantar warts (92800).
• Wound healing. It is unclear if topical propolis or propolis mouth rinse improves wound healing. Details: One small clinical study shows that using an aqueous alcohol mouth rinse containing propolis 5% five times daily for 1 week following sulcoplasty improves healing and reduces pain and inflammation (799). Another small clinical study in males recovering from surgery for sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease shows that using 1 mL of propolis 15% solution on the wound dressing daily for 28 days accelerates wound healing when compared with normal saline (108516) However, another small clinical trial in patients undergoing dental surgery shows that using a propolis 20% solution in a dressing is no more effective than the dressing alone for improving wound healing and reducing pain associated with the wound (99167). More evidence is needed to rate propolis for these uses.

(Read more about PROPOLIS)

POSSIBLY EFFECTIVE

• Menopausal symptoms. Several clinical studies suggest that oral royal jelly, taken alone or in combination with other ingredients, modestly improves menopausal symptoms. It is unclear if topical royal jelly is beneficial for this use. Details: One clinical study in postmenopausal patients shows that taking royal jelly 1000 mg daily for 8 weeks reduces menopausal symptom scores by around 30% when compared with placebo (102527). Other small clinical studies show that taking one to two capsules of a specific combination product containing royal jelly and flower pollen (Melbrosia) daily for 12 weeks reduces menopausal symptoms and improves feelings of well-being when compared with baseline or placebo (18064,71956,72005). Another clinical trial in postmenopausal patients shows that taking two capsules of a specific combination product containing royal jelly, evening primrose oil, damiana, and ginseng (Lady 4) daily for 4 weeks decreases self-rated menopausal symptoms when compared with placebo (21003). Topical royal jelly has also been evaluated. A small clinical study in postmenopausal adults shows that applying vaginal cream containing royal jelly 15% daily for 12 weeks improves quality of life, sexual problems, and urinary problems similarly to vaginal estrogen cream 0.625 mg. However, estrogen cream improves vaginal atrophy better than royal jelly (92884).

POSSIBLY INEFFECTIVE

• Allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Oral royal jelly does not appear to prevent or treat symptoms of allergic rhinitis in children. Details: A clinical trial in children 5-16 years of age with allergic rhinitis shows that taking a specific royal jelly product (Bidro) 150 mg twice daily for 3-6 months before and during pollen season does not prevent or treat nasal congestion, sneezing, or eye discomfort when compared with placebo (71968).
• Diabetes. Oral royal jelly does not appear to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Details: Most clinical research in patients with type 2 diabetes, along with a meta-analysis of five small clinical trials including patients with or without type 2 diabetes, shows that taking royal jelly 0.5-6 grams daily for 4-8 weeks does not improve markers of glycemic control such as fasting plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (92879,92880,92881,102529).
• Physical performance. Oral royal jelly does not appear to improve physical performance in elderly nursing home residents. Details: A clinical trial in elderly nursing home residents shows that taking royal jelly 1.2 grams or 4.8 grams daily for one year does not improve hand grip strength, walking, or ability to stand on one leg when compared with placebo (95870).

INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE

• Androgenic alopecia. Although there has been interest in using topical royal jelly for androgenic alopecia, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of royal jelly for this purpose.
• Atherosclerosis. Although there has been interest in using oral royal jelly for atherosclerosis, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of royal jelly for this purpose.
• Athletic performance. Oral royal jelly has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: Two small clinical trials in elite male swimmers and runners show that taking royal jelly 400 mg and coenzyme Q10 60 mg daily for 10 days does not improve high-intensity interval training performance when compared with placebo (109992,109993). These studies were small and may not have been adequately powered to detect a difference between groups.
• Cancer-related fatigue. It is unclear if oral royal jelly is beneficial for improving cancer-related fatigue. Details: A small clinical study in patients with solid (nonhematologic) malignancies shows that taking 5 mL of processed honey and royal jelly twice daily for 4 weeks reduces fatigue when compared with 5 mL of honey alone (92877).
• Chemotherapy-induced acral erythema. It is unclear if oral royal jelly is beneficial for preventing acral erythema from tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Details: One small clinical trial in patients receiving TKI therapy for renal cell carcinoma shows that taking royal jelly 900 mg four times daily for 3 months does not reduce the risk of acral erythema when compared with placebo (105773). However, this study may have been inadequately powered to detect a difference between groups.
• Chemotherapy-induced hepatotoxicity. It is unclear if oral royal jelly is beneficial for preventing hepatotoxicity from tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Details: One small clinical trial in patients receiving TKI therapy for renal cell carcinoma shows that taking royal jelly 900 mg four times daily for 3 months does not reduce the risk of hepatotoxicity when compared with placebo (105773). However, this study may have been inadequately powered to detect a difference between groups.
• Chemotherapy-induced nephrotoxicity. It is unclear if oral royal jelly is beneficial for preventing chemotherapy-induced nephrotoxicity. Details: A small clinical study in patients receiving two cycles of cisplatin therapy shows that taking royal jelly capsules daily may attenuate increases in serum creatinine and urea levels when compared with placebo. However, it is unclear if this effect is clinically significant; the increased levels that occurred in the placebo group were still within normal limits (95871). The validity of these results is also limited by the short study duration and lack of statistical comparison between groups. Another small clinical trial in patients receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy for renal cell carcinoma shows that taking royal jelly 900 mg four times daily for 3 months does not reduce the risk of kidney dysfunction when compared with placebo (105773). However, this study may have been inadequately powered to detect a difference between groups.
• Chemotherapy-related fatigue. It is unclear if oral royal jelly is beneficial for preventing fatigue from tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Details: One small clinical trial in patients receiving TKI therapy for renal cell carcinoma shows that taking royal jelly 900 mg four times daily for 3 months reduces the frequency of chemotherapy-related fatigue when compared with placebo (105773,105774).
• Cognitive impairment. Oral royal jelly has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: A small clinical trial in elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment shows that taking a specific combination product (Memo, Pharco Pharmaceuticals), which contains natural lyophilized royal jelly 750 mg, ginkgo leaf extract 120 mg, and Panax ginseng root extract 150 mg, daily for 4 weeks improves cognitive ability when compared with placebo (89712).
• Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Oral royal jelly has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: A moderate-sized clinical study in adults without diabetes in Iran hospitalized with moderately severe COVID-19 receiving corticosteroids shows that taking a specific combination supplement (Tang Forte, HealthAid) containing royal jelly extract 350 mg and vitamin E 2 mg daily for 7 days does not improve markers of the clinical course of COVID-19, such as oxygen saturation or length of hospital stay, when compared with placebo (114535). However, this study may not have been adequately powered to detect a difference between groups. It is unclear if this effect is due to royal jelly, other ingredients, or the combination.
• Diabetic foot ulcers. Small clinical studies suggest that topical application of royal jelly plus panthenol may improve healing of diabetic foot ulcers. It is unclear if topical royal jelly alone is beneficial for this use. Details: One small clinical study shows that applying royal jelly 5% to a wound after conventional cleansing and debriding three times weekly for 3 months does not improve the healing of diabetic foot ulcers when compared with placebo (92882). However, other small clinical studies show that applying 1-3 grams of a specific combination ointment (Pedyphar) containing royal jelly and panthenol after conventional cleansing and debriding procedures twice weekly for up to 6 months may improve the healing of diabetic foot ulcers (71980,102526). In one of these studies, the rate of complete healing of life-threatening ulcers was 2.7-fold greater with this combination ointment when compared with panthenol alone (102526). Possible reasons for these discrepancies include the use of combination versus single ingredient ointments and the duration of treatment.
• Dry eye. It is unclear if oral royal jelly is beneficial in patients with dry eye. Details: A small clinical trial in Japanese patients with dry eye shows that taking enzyme-treated royal jelly 2.4 grams daily for 8 weeks does not improve tear stability or dry eye symptoms when compared with placebo (95869).
• Fractures. Although there has been interest in using oral royal jelly for healing of fractures, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of royal jelly for this purpose.
• Hepatitis. Although there has been interest in using oral royal jelly for hepatitis, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of royal jelly for this purpose.
• Male infertility. Intravaginal application of royal jelly has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: A small clinical study in couples experiencing infertility due to asthenozoospermia shows that applying a saline solution containing royal jelly 3 grams, Egyptian bee honey 100 grams, and bee bread 1 teaspoon intravaginally before or after intercourse, starting one day after menstruation and continuing for 2 weeks, can increase the rate of pregnancy when compared with intrauterine insemination (55131). It is unclear if this effect is due to royal jelly, other ingredients, or the combination.
• Obesity. It is unclear if oral royal jelly is beneficial for reducing body weight in patients who are overweight or obese. Details: One small clinical study in overweight patients with type 2 diabetes shows that taking fresh royal jelly 1 gram daily for 8 weeks reduces body weight by around 2 kg and body mass index (BMI) by around 0.7 kg/m², as well as carbohydrate and total energy intake, when compared with placebo. However, the improvement is modest and may not be clinically significant (92878). Another small clinical study in overweight adults shows that taking royal jelly 1000 mg daily for 8 weeks does not reduce body weight, BMI, or appetite when compared with placebo (102528). However, this study may have been inadequately powered to detect a difference in these outcomes.
• Oral mucositis. It is unclear if oral royal jelly is beneficial for preventing or treating oral mucositis in patients receiving radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Details: One small clinical trial in patients receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy shows that swishing and swallowing royal jelly 1 gram in two divided doses daily, in addition to standard rinses with benzydamine and nystatin, improves healing time of mild or moderate oral mucositis when compared with standard rinses alone (95867).
• Osteoporosis. It is unclear if oral royal jelly is beneficial in patients with osteoporosis. Details: A small clinical trial in postmenopausal adults shows that taking royal jelly powder 1000 mg, equivalent to 3000 mg of fresh royal jelly, daily for 6 months maintains bone mineral density (BMD) in the proximal femur and lumbar spine, while patients taking placebo saw significant reductions in lumbar spine BMD. Also, markers of bone turnover were significantly reduced with placebo, while significant changes in these markers were lacking in patients taking royal jelly (105775). It is unclear whether these findings can be generalized to patients with documented osteoporosis.
• Peptic ulcers. Although there has been interest in using oral royal jelly for peptic ulcers, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of royal jelly for this purpose.
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS). It is unclear if oral royal jelly, taken alone or in combination with other ingredients, is beneficial in patients with PMS. Details: A small clinical study in healthy college students shows that taking royal jelly 1 gram daily starting on the first day of menstruation and continuing for two consecutive menstrual cycles improves PMS symptoms when compared with placebo (95873). However, methodological flaws associated with the study limit the validity of these results. A small clinical study shows that taking a specific combination product (Femal, Natumin Pharma), providing royal jelly 12 mg, bee pollen extract 72 mg, and bee pollen plus pistil extract 240 mg, twice daily over 2 menstrual cycles seems to decrease some symptoms of PMS including irritability, weight increases, and edema (12008). It is unclear if these effects are due to royal jelly, other ingredients, or the combination.
• Renal cell carcinoma. It is unclear if oral royal jelly is beneficial in patients with renal cell carcinoma. Details: One small clinical trial in patients receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy for renal cell carcinoma shows that taking royal jelly 900 mg four times daily for 3 months reduces tumor size, improves chemotherapy-related fatigue and anorexia, and reduces the need for dose reduction or the discontinuation of therapy when compared with placebo (105773,105774). Royal jelly does not seem to reduce other TKI-related adverse effects, including gastrointestinal symptoms, oral mucositis, acral erythema, anemia, hepatotoxicity, or nephrotoxicity, when compared with placebo (105773). However, this study may have been inadequately powered to detect a difference in these outcomes. More evidence is needed to rate royal jelly for these uses.

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POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately, short-term. Bee pollen has been safely used in clinical trials lasting up to 30 days (7062,7063,12008,33973). There is also preliminary evidence that taking 2 tablets twice daily of a specific combination product containing royal jelly 6 mg, bee pollen extract 36 mg, and bee pollen plus pistil extract 120 mg (Femal, Natumin Pharma) per tablet for up to 2 months seems to be safe (12008).

PREGNANCY: POSSIBLY UNSAFE
when used orally. There is some concern that bee pollen might have uterine stimulant effects (5,6,11); avoid using.

LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

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POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately. Propolis has been used with apparent safety in clinical research at doses of up to 1500 mg daily (95883,99173,102520,102521). ...when used topically. Propolis as a 3% or 10% ointment, 0.5% cream, 30% mouth rinse, or 15% solution has been used with apparent safety in small clinical studies (799,1926,6602,8663,17629,17664,17665,92793,92800,95882)(99171,99173,102519,102521,105785,105786,108516,108523,109985).

PREGNANCY:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

LACTATION: POSSIBLY SAFE
when used orally and appropriately during lactation. Propolis 300 mg daily has been used for 4-10 months in one clinical study with no apparent adverse effects to nursing infants (102518).

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POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately, short-term. Royal jelly 1-4.8 grams daily for up to 1 year has been used in clinical research without reported adverse effects (95869,95870,102527,102528,105773,105774)....when used topically and appropriately for up to 6 months (71980,102526).

CHILDREN: POSSIBLY SAFE
when used orally and appropriately for up to 6 months. A specific royal jelly product (Bidro) 150 mg twice daily has been used with apparent safety for 3-6 months in children 5-16 years of age (71968).

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

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WARFARIN (Coumadin) Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = High •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D There is some concern that bee pollen might interact with warfarin and increase the risk of bleeding.  Details 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 (18063).

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ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, propolis might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs.  Details In vitro research shows that propolis water extract and the propolis constituent, caffeic acid phenethyl ester, can inhibit platelet aggregation (50794,95885). 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 (95874).

CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, high doses of propolis might increase blood levels of drugs metabolized by CYP1A2.  Details In vitro research shows that propolis extract can inhibit CYP1A2 (92797,92799). 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 (92797). This effect has not been reported in humans.

CYTOCHROME P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) SUBSTRATES Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, high doses of propolis might increase blood levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C19.  Details In vitro research shows that propolis extract can inhibit CYP2C19 (92797,92799). 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 (92797). This effect has not been reported in humans.

CYTOCHROME P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) SUBSTRATES Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, high doses of propolis might increase blood levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C9.  Details In vitro research shows that propolis extract can inhibit CYP2C9 (92797,92799). 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 (92797). This effect has not been reported in humans.

CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, high doses of propolis might increase blood levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.  Details In vitro research shows that propolis extract can inhibit CYP2D6 (92797,92799). 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 (92797). This effect has not been reported in humans.

CYTOCHROME P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) SUBSTRATES Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, propolis might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2E1.  Details In vitro research shows that propolis can inhibit CYP2E1 (92799). This effect has not been reported in humans.

CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, high doses of propolis might increase blood levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.  Details Some in vitro research shows that propolis extract can inhibit CYP3A4 (92797); however, other in vitro research shows that propolis has no effect on CYP3A4 activity (92799). 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 (92797). This effect has not been reported in humans.

WARFARIN (Coumadin) Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, propolis might decrease the effectiveness of warfarin.  Details Animal research shows that taking propolis in addition to warfarin decreases the international normalized ratio (INR) (95874). This effect has not been reported in humans.

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ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUGS Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, royal jelly might increase the risk of hypotension when taken with antihypertensive drugs.  Details Animal research suggests that royal jelly might lower blood pressure (71982,71963).

WARFARIN (Coumadin) Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = High •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Royal jelly might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with warfarin.  Details In one case, an 87-year-old male who was previously stabilized on warfarin developed hematuria and was found to have an INR of 7.29 after taking a royal jelly supplement for one week (14303).

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General ...Orally, bee pollen seems to be well tolerated in most patients.
Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):
Orally: Acute hepatitis, allergic reactions, interstitial nephritis, kidney failure.

Dermatologic ...Orally, a case of photosensitivity has been reported for a 32-year-old patient who took a dietary supplement containing ginseng, goldenseal, bee pollen, and other ingredients. Symptoms included a pruritic, erythematous rash that was localized to the sun-exposed surfaces of the neck and extremities. Following treatment with topical and subcutaneous corticosteroids and discontinuation of the supplement, the skin rash slowly resolved. It is not known if this effect was due to the bee pollen, one of the other ingredients, or their combination (33954).

Hepatic ...Orally, there have been two cases of acute hepatitis associated with bee pollen use. One case involved ingestion of two tablespoons of pure bee pollen daily for several months. Another case involved ingestion of 14 tablets per day of a combination herbal product containing bee pollen, chaparral, and 19 other herbs for 6 weeks (1351). In this case, it is not known if bee pollen or another herb might have caused the adverse event.

Immunologic ...Patients with a history of seasonal pollen allergies, particularly allergies to plants in the Asteraceae/Compositae family, including ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many other herbs, are at risk for serious allergic reactions to oral bee pollen. Allergic reactions can include itching, swelling, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and anaphylaxis (5,6,11,13480,33952,33965,91981,91984,109991). In one case, exercise may have contributed to the reaction. A 15-year-old male developed generalized urticaria, facial angioedema, and dyspnea 30 minutes into a vigorous exercise session and an hour after ingesting bee pollen granules. The patient experienced abdominal cramps within minutes of consuming bee pollen on 3 previous occasions and had a positive skin prick test for bee pollen after the anaphylactic reaction (109991). Allergy symptoms due to chronic intake of bee pollen include gastrointestinal and neurologic symptoms and eosinophilia (2627,33964).
A case of allergic eosinophilic gastropathy has been reported for a 5 year-old child who was given bee pollen daily to strengthen the immune system. Symptoms included abdominal pain, vomiting, and swelling of the eyelids and legs (91981).

Neurologic/CNS ...Orally, there is one report of dizziness in a patient who took a combination product containing royal jelly, bee pollen extract, and a bee pollen plus pistil extract (12008). It is not known if this effect was due to the bee pollen, another ingredient, or the combination.

Renal ...Orally, there is one report of a patient taking a bee pollen-containing supplement for greater than 5 months who developed breathing difficulties, edema with weight gain, and loss of appetite. The patient was diagnosed with interstitial nephritis and drug-induced acute kidney failure. The supplement was discontinued and the patient was started on hemodialysis. The patient improved after several sessions of hemodialysis (18068).

Other ...Although some research has shown a lack of mycotoxins in twenty samples of bee pollen, analysis of other ready-to-eat bee pollen products have revealed contamination with potential mycotoxin producing species, including Penicillium verrucosum, Aspergillus niger aggregate, Aspergillus carbonarius, Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus, and Alternaria spp. (33959,33961).

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General ...Orally and topically, propolis seems to be well tolerated.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Headache.
Topically: Contact cheilitis and contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):
Orally: Severe allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Dermatologic ...Propolis can cause allergic reactions and acute oral mucositis with ulceration from the use of the propolis-containing lozenges (2632).
Topically, propolis-containing products, including some cosmetics, can cause eczematous contact dermatitis, erythema multiforme-like contact dermatitis, or allergic contact cheilitis (2632,15647,92796,92798,95878,95882,102517).
Patients allergic to bees or bee products may be more likely to experience allergic reactions to propolis.

Genitourinary ...Vulvar eczema caused by propolis sensitization after topical therapy has been reported (70067).

Hepatic ...Orally, propolis may cause an increase in liver enzymes when used long-term at high doses. In one case, a 30-year-old male presented with persistent abnormal liver enzymes for six months. With other causes ruled out, the patient disclosed using more than 10 propolis lozenges per day for several months to treat a sore throat. Upon discontinuation of the propolis lozenges, liver enzymes returned to normal (105788). Despite concerns presented in this case, analyses of small clinical studies suggest that propolis may have hepatoprotective effects when used at doses of 500-1000 mg daily for up to one year (108521,108522).

Immunologic ...In one case report, a 36-year-old female developed severe erythematous papules and patches with edema of the face, neck, arms, abdomen, and thighs after consuming propolis solution for a few weeks. After symptom resolution, a patch test showed an extreme positive reaction to propolis (106443). In another case, laryngeal edema and severe anaphylactic reaction has been reported in a patient who used topical propolis for the treatment of acute pharyngitis. The patient died due to complications of hypoxia that resulted from the allergic reaction (70063).
Topically, propolis-containing products can cause allergic contact dermatitis, including cheilitis, when used on or near the lips or mouth (15647,92796,92798,102517). Propolis-containing lozenges can cause allergic reactions as well as acute oral mucositis with ulceration (2632).
Patients allergic to bees or bee products may be more likely to experience allergic reactions to propolis.

Neurologic/CNS ...Orally, propolis may cause headache in some patients. In one clinical trial, around 7% of patients taking propolis 250 mg twice daily for 4 months reported mild headache (105786).

Renal ...In one case report, a 59-year-old male with cholangiocarcinoma developed acute kidney failure requiring hemodialysis after taking a Brazilian preparation of propolis 5 mL three times daily for 2 weeks. Renal function improved when propolis was discontinued. The patient restarted taking propolis and symptoms developed again and the patient again required hemodialysis. Symptoms of renal failure improved when propolis was finally discontinued. This product was not screened for contaminants; however, family members of this patient used the same product without apparent adverse effects (14300).

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General ...Orally and topically, royal jelly seems to be well tolerated.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Dyspnea, eczema, oral allergy syndrome, pruritus, and urticaria in people with a history of asthma or atopy.
Topically: Contact dermatitis and skin irritation.
Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):
Orally: Anaphylaxis, status asthmaticus, and death in people with a history of asthma or atopy.

Gastrointestinal ...There is one case report of hemorrhagic colitis with abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea with concomitant hemorrhagic and edematous mucosa of the sigmoid colon after ingestion of royal jelly. Symptoms resolved within 2 weeks following discontinuation of royal jelly and conservative treatment (3516).

Immunologic ...In people with a history of atopy or asthma, royal jelly taken orally appears to cause a high rate of allergic symptoms including pruritus, urticaria, eczema, eyelid and facial edema, conjunctivitis, rhinorrhea, dyspnea, oral allergy syndrome, and asthma (7314,7315,7316,10623,95872). In severe cases, royal jelly can cause status asthmaticus, anaphylaxis, and death (792,7315,7316,10623,10624,108511). Allergic symptoms are associated with IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reactions (3513,10623).
Topically, skin irritation, exacerbation of dermatitis, or contact dermatitis may occur (791).
From occupational exposure, royal jelly can cause allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma (95868).

Neurologic/CNS ...There is one report of dizziness in a patient who took a combination product containing royal jelly, bee pollen extract, and a bee pollen plus pistil extract (12008).

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