History

• In ancient Greece, propolis was a common remedy for skin infections or abscesses. It was also used by the Assyrians to treat broken skin from injuries, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
  
  

Function

• In alternative medicine, propolis is believed to fight bacterial and viral infections, reduce inflammation and speed up the healing process, reports RxList.
  
  

Types of Uses

• In alternative medicine, propolis is used to speed up healing after dental surgery and treat genital herpes, tuberculosis, certain types of cancer, stomach ulcers, digestive disorders, the common cold, wounds, minor burns, cervical inflammation, gingivitis, oral thrush, hip bone necrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, vaginal infections, asthma and toothaches.
  
  

Risks

• Because it is produced by bees, propolis poses a risk for severe and potentially fatal allergic reactions in some patients, cautions the Physicians Desktop Reference. Symptoms of an allergy to propolis include itching, rash, shortness of breath, chest pain, swelling or tingling in your mouth and difficulty breathing.
  
  

Considerations

• Because often propolis is mixed with alcohol in solutions used for herbal medicine, avoid taking the supplement while you are pregnant or nursing. If you have a history of anaphylactic reactions to bee stings or if you are taking the prescription antifungal medication metronidazole or the alcohol-abuse treatment disulfiram, it may not be safe for you to take propolis.