Propolis and pollen after 40: how to use them

Dr. Boris Wydoff

Propolis and bee pollen are two different products with different purposes. Propolis is associated primarily with protection, while pollen is linked to nutrition and restoring strength. I consider them natural treasures and use them in my system alongside nutrition and lifestyle. After 40, it is especially important to use such products wisely, gradually, and with consideration for individual reactions.

Why do I call bee products natural treasures?

Bees provide us with several remarkable products. These include honey, propolis, pollen, and royal jelly. Almost everyone knows about honey. But propolis and pollen have also served people for centuries as food and protection.

In naturopathy, I also place mumiyo alongside them. These natural remedies occupy a special place in my system. I do not regard them as miracle cures for every disease. Their role is broader: nutrition, protection, and support for the body's restorative powers.

At the same time, no single remedy can replace a healthy lifestyle. Natural products work best within a system where a person pays attention to nutrition and rest. Avoiding harmful habits and maintaining a calm attitude toward one's health are also important. A person's own active involvement remains essential every day.

And there is one more rule — quality. Propolis and pollen should come from a reliable source. Poor-quality raw materials may cause harm rather than help. That is why the origin of a product is just as important to me as its name.

What is propolis, and why do bees themselves need it?

Propolis is also called bee glue. It is a dark green substance with a pleasant smell reminiscent of birch. It comes from the resins of various plants. Bees collect these resins and process them.

Inside the hive, propolis performs a protective function. Bees use it to polish the honeycomb cells where brood develops. They use it to seal cracks. They also use it to isolate pests that have entered the hive.

Propolis contains volatile substances called phytoncides. They act on disease-causing microorganisms and inhibit their reproduction. Its action against streptococci and staphylococci was particularly noted. In naturopathy, this is associated with the antimicrobial action of propolis.

My book cites information that propolis preparations were approved in the Soviet Union in 1962. They were used as part of the comprehensive treatment of various diseases. Later, their use expanded into other areas of medicine. For me, the important word here is “comprehensive”: a natural remedy should not become a reason to stop prescribed treatment on your own.

How does propolis differ from pollen in its effects?

I distinguish between these products very simply. I associate propolis primarily with protection. I associate pollen with nutrition and recovery. So they do not duplicate each other but serve different purposes.

Propolis was valued for its antimicrobial properties. Older reports about its use also noted an analgesic effect. Figures were cited suggesting an effect 3.5 times stronger than cocaine and 5.2 times stronger than novocaine. This information helped explain the historical interest in propolis for pain and wounds.

I mention this only as historical information, not as treatment guidance. Such a comparison does not mean that propolis can replace modern pain-relieving medications. Nor should anyone change treatment prescribed by a doctor on their own. A natural remedy should have its proper place rather than substitute for medical care.

Pollen works differently. It is a product created by a plant and collected by a bee. Bees bring flower pollen into the hive and use it themselves. For people, it serves primarily as a nourishing and strengthening product.

What valuable substances are found in bee pollen?

Bee pollen is a valuable natural product. In naturopathy, it is appreciated for its rich composition and nutritional properties. It is used as a source of substances that nourish the body. Pollen has a special place during periods of weakness and recovery.

Pollen has been used after illness, for fatigue, and during a general loss of energy. I do not see it as something that should force the body to work beyond its limits. For me, it is primarily additional nutrition. This approach differs from constantly trying to stimulate the body.

In my practice, I have combined honey and bee pollen. Each morning, you can take a spoonful of unheated honey and add pollen as a source of nutrients. In my opinion, this combination provides trace elements and mineral salts. But it should remain simple and not turn into a large, sugary breakfast.

Pollen is also used in another form — as bee bread. Bee bread is pollen packed by bees into honeycomb cells and fermented. It is denser than fresh pollen. In my books, I discuss different ways of using it and its place in the overall nutrition system.

Why are propolis and pollen discussed after the age of 40?

Particular attention has been given to these products in connection with men's health. Professor Alain Caillas advised men after the age of 40–45 to regularly take propolis and bee pollen preparations. This approach was intended to provide long-term support for the prostate and the body. I regard this as a historical recommendation, not as a universal prescription for every man of this age.

Older naturopathic literature also mentioned the Swedish preparation “Cernilton.” It stated that the product contained propolis and flower pollen. It was associated with use for prostate diseases. I mention this example only as part of the history of bee product use, not as a modern recommendation.

It is especially important not to extend such old information to cancer prevention. Propolis and pollen should not be considered means of preventing prostate cancer. These products also do not replace medical examinations or treatment. If you have a medical condition, their use should be discussed with your doctor.

Being over forty is not a diagnosis in itself. It does not mean that a person necessarily needs a particular preparation. Overall health, the body's response, and actual needs should all be considered. For me, this individual approach is more important than a single number in your passport.

I do appreciate the principle of supporting the body in advance. Do not wait for a pronounced loss of strength before thinking about nutrition and rest. Do not look for one powerful remedy instead of daily effort. After forty, this calm, systematic approach becomes especially relevant.

How do I recommend starting?

The main rule is not to rush. Bee products require attention to individual reactions. It is therefore better to begin with a small amount. Then you should carefully observe how you feel.

You can start pollen with just a few granules. I recommend letting them dissolve in the mouth before eating. This avoids starting immediately with a large amount. If the product is well tolerated, further use can be chosen according to the person's condition.

For propolis, I recommend choosing ready-made forms from a trusted source. The reliability of the beekeeper or seller is particularly important. I do not recommend using random raw materials of unknown origin. Quality matters just as much here as the method of use.

I intentionally do not include complete courses and exact regimens in a short article. They require context and an understanding of the whole system. I discuss detailed options in my books together with nutrition and other naturopathic methods. This makes it clearer where each product fits within my approach.

Can you rely only on propolis and pollen?

I am against this approach. Even a good natural product remains only one part of a lifestyle. If a person eats poorly, does not get enough rest, and maintains harmful habits, they cannot rely on a supplement alone. Naturopathy requires the person's own participation.

The same applies to herbs. It is important not simply to buy them but to prepare them properly. I explain the basic principles separately in the article how to brew herbs. A similar principle applies here: the quality of the raw material and its proper use matter greatly.

Natural remedies should not become a competition to see how many you can take. More does not mean better. I prefer gradual use, simplicity, and attention to the body's response. This way, individual remedies become part of a system rather than a substitute for everything else.

Who needs to be especially cautious with bee products?

Propolis, pollen, and other bee products can cause an allergic reaction. A sensitive person may develop itching, a rash, or other unpleasant symptoms. If someone does not tolerate honey or other bee products well, particular caution is needed. Reactions even to the strong smell of a hive have been described in practice.

If a severe reaction, swelling, or rash occurs, stop taking the product immediately. If you develop severe itching or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention. There is no reason to continue taking a product simply to finish a course. Safety is more important than any natural remedy.

If you have chronic medical conditions, use should be discussed with your treating doctor. The same rule applies if you are already receiving treatment. I do not recommend stopping prescribed medications in favor of natural remedies. Propolis and pollen should only be considered in the context of the overall situation.

What do I consider most important when using them after forty?

First, do not look for a miracle. Propolis and pollen are valuable when a person understands their proper place. One product is more closely associated with protection, while the other is associated with nutrition. Together, they complement an overall naturopathic approach.

Second, choose quality. Third, use moderation and start gradually. An individual's reaction is always more important than an appealing product description. The fact that a product has been used for centuries does not eliminate the need for caution.

Finally, natural support does not exist separately from everyday life. Nutrition, rest, and habits remain part of the overall work. I try to combine individual remedies into a clear system. I leave detailed courses and combinations for my books, where they can be explained without dangerous oversimplification.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Boris Wydoff — naturopath and author, Ph.D. in nutrition. For over fifty years I have helped people restore health through nutrition, cleansing and the power of the mind — in Europe, America and Asia. About the author →

Read next

All articles by Dr. Boris Wydoff’s method →