How It Works
Bottom Line: There is no proof that bee pollen works.
Bee pollen is a combination of flower pollen and nectar. It may have some nutritional value, but no laboratory experiments have been done to examine its potential medicinal uses. Scientists do not know how bee pollen works.
Purported Uses
- To treat alcoholism
No scientific evidence supports this use.
- To treat allergies and asthma
No scientific evidence supports this use.
- To increase appetite
No scientific evidence supports this use.
- To treat benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)
No scientific evidence supports this use.
- To prevent cancer
No scientific evidence supports this use.
- To treat diabetes
No scientific evidence supports this use.
- To treat gastrointestinal disorders
No scientific evidence supports this use.
- For general health maintenance
No scientific evidence supports this use.
- For strength and stamina
One clinical trial has been performed, and it does not support this use.
Research Evidence
Very few clinical trials have been performed using bee pollen. Of the small studies that exist, most show no clinical effectiveness other than a nutritional value.
Athletic performance
The ability of bee pollen to enhance athletic performance was studied in eighteen male high school students. During twelve weeks of athletic training, the students took bee pollen, protein extract, or a placebo. At the end of the study, students in the three groups had approximately the same levels of strength and stamina, indicating that bee pollen does not likely enhance athletic performance.
Warnings
- This product is regulated by the F.D.A. as a dietary supplement. Unlike approved drugs, supplements are not required to be manufactured under specific standardized conditions. This product may not contain the labeled amount or may be contaminated. In addition, it may not have been tested for safety or effectiveness.
Do Not Take If
- You are allergic to bee stings and/or bee venom.
- You have an intolerance to honey.
- You are allergic to ragweed and/or chrysanthemums.
Side Effects
Some patients may have a
hypersensitivity reaction to bee pollen, causing symptoms such as pruritus (itching), headaches, inflammation, sneezing, and anaphylactic shock. High levels of certain white blood cells (eosinophils) in the blood and small intestine can occur, causing nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. One woman suffered a reaction after taking a dietary supplement containing a combination of ginseng,
goldenseal and bee pollen.
Common Name
Buckwheat pollen, pine pollen, pu huang
Clinical Summary
Produced by bees from a combination of flower pollen and nectar. The use of bee pollen is relatively benign. Aside from its nutritional value, clinical data show that benefits from its use are limited
(3) (4). Patients who are allergic to bee venom (i.e., bee stings), honey, ragweed, or chrysanthemum should not take this product. Adverse effects consist of possible hypersensitivity reactions.
Purported uses
Alcoholism
Allergies
Appetite
Asthma
Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)
Cancer prevention
Diabetes
GI disorders
Health maintenance
Strength and stamina
Constituents
Polysaccharides
Protein
Amino acids
Minerals
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Essential fatty acids (alpha-linolenic and linolenic)
(1)
Mechanism of Action
Unknown
Contraindications
Patients with an allergy to bee stings (bee venom), intolerance to honey, or allergy to ragweed / chrysanthemums should avoid bee pollen products.
Adverse Reactions
Reported: Hypersensitivity reaction causing pruritus, headache, swelling, sneezing, anaphylaxis, hypereosinophilia, and eosinophilic gastroenteritis consisting of nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea
(2) Case Report: A 32-year-old woman suffered phototoxic reaction after taking a dietary supplement containing ginseng, goldenseal and bee pollen
(5).
Herb-Drug Interactions
None known at this time.
Lab Interactions
None known at this time.
Literature Summary and Critique
Most studies on bee pollen are small, uncontrolled human studies or animal studies. No significant clinical efficacy is reported other than that of its nutritive value.
Steben RE, Boudreaux P. The effects of pollen and protein extracts on selected blood factors and performance of athletes. J Sports Med 1978;18:221-6.Small randomized study evaluating the effect of bee pollen supplement on 18 male high school students. Three treatment arms were established to compare bee pollen to protein extract to placebo. Following 12 weeks of training and supplementation, no effect of the bee pollen, protein extract, or placebo was seen on performance, hemoglobin, or serum electrolytes. This small study was probably incapable of detecting a statistically significant difference between treatment groups. No adverse events were reported with supplementation.
References
