What is it?
Bee Pollen may energize the body, regulate digestion, boost immunity, help with weight loss, and fight cancer. It is also used for multiple sclerosis (MS), stomach ulcers, and athletic performance enhancement. Most studies, however, have not reported any beneficial effect.
Other names for Bee Pollen include: Buckwheat Pollen, Maize Pollen, Pine Pollen, Pollen Pini, Puhuang, Rape Pollen, Sonfuuafen, and Typha Pollen.
Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you need more information about this medicine or if any information in this leaflet concerns you.
Tell your doctor if you
- are taking medicine or are allergic to any medicine (prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) or dietary supplement)
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine
- are breastfeeding
- have any other health problems, such as high blood pressure or heart or blood vessel disease
Talk with your caregiver about how much Bee Pollen you should take. The amount depends on the strength of the medicine and the reason you are taking Bee Pollen. If you are using this medicine without instructions from your caregiver, follow the directions on the medicine bottle. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than the directions tell you to.
To store this medicine:
Keep all medicine locked up and away from children. Store medicine away from heat and direct light. Do not store your medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down and not work the way it should work. Throw away medicine that is out of date or that you do not need. Never share your medicine with others.
- Before taking Bee Pollen, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Bee Pollen can produce allergic reactions that can be life threatening (1-3). Do not take Bee Pollen if you are allergic to bees or any type of pollen
Stop taking your medicine right away and talk to your doctor if you have any of the following side effects. Your medicine may be causing these symptoms which may mean you are allergic to it.
- Breathing problems or tightness in your throat or chest
- Chest pain
- Skin hives, rash, or itchy or swollen skin
Other Side Effects:
You may have the following side effects, but this medicine may also cause other side effects. Tell your doctor if you have side effects that you think are caused by this medicine.
- Upset stomach or throwing up (7)
1. Fetrow C & Avila J: Professional's Handbook of Complementary and Alternative Medicines. Springhouse Corporation, Springhouse, PA; 1999.
2. Cohen SH, Yunginger JW, Rosenberg N et al: Acute allergic reactions after composite pollen ingestion. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 1979; 64:270-274.
3. Mansfield LE and Goldstein GB: Anaphylactic reaction after ingestion of local bee pollen. Annals of Allergy 1981;47:154-156.
4. Chandler JV & Hawkins JD: The effect of bee pollen on physiological performance: Ann Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine, Nashville, TN, May 26-29. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1985; 17: 287.
5. Linskens HF & Jorde W: Pollen as food and medicine - a review. Econ Bot 1997; 51(1): 78-87.
6. Krivolpalov-Moscvin I: Apitherapy in the rehabilitation of patients with multiple sclerosis. J Neurol Sci 1997; 150(suppl): S264.
7. Lin FL, Vaughan TR, Vanderwalker ML et al: Hypereosinophilia, neurologic, and gastointestinal symptoms after bee pollen ingestion. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1989; 83(4): 793-796.
Last Updated: 1/4/2011