Bee Pollen
COMMON NAMES: 1-4
• Bee Pollen Nuggets • Pollen
• Bee Pollen Power Extract • Pollen pini
• Super Bee Pollen Complex • Puhuang
• Buckwheat pollen • Rape pollen
• Maize pollen • Sonfuuafen
• Pine pollen • Typha pollen
• Pollen d’Abeille
SCIENTIFIC NAMES: None
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: 2,4
• 55% carbohydrates
• 30% protein
• 1-2% lipid
• 3% minerals/vitamins/trace elements (including vitamin C)
(Note: Concentrations of each component vary depending on product.)
MECHANISM OF ACTION: 1-4
• None of the components of bee pollen have been linked to therapeutic effects.
CURRENT INDICATIONS AND EFFICACY: 1,2,5-6
Indications
• Used as a nutritional supplement, appetite stimulant, diuretic, skin care product,
and product to increase athletic stamina and ability
• Used to prevent aging, hay fever or allergic rhinitis, mouth sores, rheumatism,
painful urination, prostate conditions, diarrhea, nosebleed, cerebral hemorrhage,
and menstrual problems
• Used to treat constipation, diarrhea, enteritis, colitis, anemia, mental illness, and
obesity
• Used to detect allergies and foster immunity
Efficacy
• Bee pollen is likely ineffective when taken orally for increasing athletic stamina.
o In one study, the components of bee pollen were not associated with any
physiological effects as demonstrated in the laboratory. The details of the
study were not disclosed.
• There is insufficient reliable information available about the effectiveness of bee
pollen for its other uses.
Original Author Heather Klug
Reviewed 5/12/03 Susan Paulsen Pharm D
CONTRAINDICATIONS / ALLERGIES: 1,2,7-8
Contraindications
• Bee pollen is contraindicated in those with pollen allergies or hypersensitivity to
bee pollen.
• Children, pregnant women, nursing mothers should not ingest bee pollen due to
the lack of data for use in these populations.
Allergies
• Allergic reactions manifested by itching, swelling, shortness of breath, light-
headedness, and anaphylaxis have been associated with the ingestion of bee
pollen.
o In a case report, the ingestion of commercially processed bee pollen
caused potentially life-threatening consequences in a 19-year-old male
diagnosed with asthma and allergies. He experienced a sore throat, facial
itching and swelling, and difficulty in breathing lasting two hours after
ingestion.
• Chronic allergy symptoms include GI symptoms, neurologic symptoms, and
eosinophilia have been associated with the ingestion of bee pollen.
o A 37-year-old female ingested bee pollen with the intention of boosting
her energy level. After 3 weeks, she developed general malaise, headache,
nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, myalgia, pruitis, and a rash. She went
to the physician complaining of disorientation and decreased memory
where lab values revealed hypereosinophilia, which could not be
attributed to another cause. After discontinuing the bee pollen
supplement, her symptoms resolved.
DOSAGE FORMS / RECOMMENDED DOSES / DURATION: 2,5
• Capsule, extract, granules, liquid, tablet
• 1-3g daily, dosage varies depending on product
DRUG INTERACTIONS AND DRUG-DISEASE INTERACTIONS: 1,9-11
Drug Interactions
• No known drug interactions
Drug-Disease Interactions
• Liver disease - bee pollen has been associated with 2 cases of acute hepatitis.
o A 33-year-old female was taking 2 tsp. of pure bee pollen per day for
several months and developed sharp, right-upper quadrant pain. She was
diagnosed with acute hepatitis. After discontinuing the product, she
experienced complete resolution of symptoms within 6 weeks.
o A 69-year-old male was taking 14 tablets/day of a mixed herb preparation
containing chaparral and bee pollen for 6 weeks and developed nausea,
pruitis, anorexia, weight loss, and jaundice. After discontinuing the
Original Author Heather Klug
Reviewed 5/12/03 Susan Paulsen Pharm D
preparation, his symptoms and liver function abnormalities resolved
within 8 weeks.
• Pollen allergies - bee pollen increases the risk of allergic reactions.
o A 56-year-old female with perennial allergic rhinitis developed pruitis,
urticaria, dyspnea, fatigue, and other symptoms consistent with
anaphylaxis within 20 minutes of drinking a milk shake containing bee
pollen.
o A 46-year-old male with a past history of seasonal allergic rhinitis
ingested 1 tsp. of bee pollen to treat his hay fever and within 15 minutes,
he developed angioedema, urticaria, dyspnea, wheezing, and light-
headedness. He was given epinephrine, corticosteroids, and
diphenhydramine and his symptoms resolved.
OTHER SAFTEY ISSUES: 5
• There is little risk of toxicity since the components of bee pollen have not been
linked to therapeutic effects.
REFERENCES:
1. Jellin JM, Gregory P, Batz F, Hitchens K, et al. Pharmacist’s Letter/ Prescriber’s
Letter Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. 3rd ed. Stockton,CA.
Therapeutic Research Faculty; 2000:100-01.
2. Peirce A. Practical Guide to Natural Medicines. New York (NY):William Morrow
and Company, Inc.; 1999.
3. Abt L & Hammerly M (Eds): AltMedDex® System. MICROMEDEX, Inc.,
Greenwood Village, Colorado (Edition expires [03/2003]).
4. Hendler SS & Rorvik D, editors. PDR for Nutritional Supplements. New Jersey:
Medical Economics Company, Inc.; 2001.
5. Talbott SM. A Guide to Understanding Dietary Supplements. New York (NY):
The Hayworth Press; 2003.
6. Williams MH. Ergogenic and ergolytic substances. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1992;
24(9 Suppl):S344-8.
7. Prichard M, Turner KJ. Acute hypersensitivity to ingested processed pollen. Aust
N Z J Med. 1985; 15(3):346-7.
8. Lin FL, et al. Hypereosinophilia, neurologic, and gastrointestinal symptoms after
bee-pollen ingestion. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1989; 83(4):793.
9. Shad JA, Chinn CG, Brann OS. Acute hepatitis after ingestion of herbs. South Med
J. 1999; 108:698-700.
10. Greenberger PA, Flais MJ. Bee pollen-induced anaphylactic reaction in an
unknowingly sensitized subject. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2001; 86(2):239-42.
11. Mansfield LE, Goldstein GB. Anaphylactic reaction after ingestion of local bee
pollen. Ann Allergy 1981; 47:154.
Original Author Heather Klug
Reviewed 5/12/03 Susan Paulsen Pharm D
