Positives

• Long COVID patients on a propolis-based supplement (containing caffeic acid and CAPE) commonly report reduced inflammatory parameters after two months PMC.
• Patients on propolis supplementation commonly see CRP and IL-6 drop, and some Long COVID patients use 500-1,500 mg propolis tincture as a low-cost way to deliver caffeic acid daily ScienceDirect.

Negatives

• One patient warned against consuming caffeic acid, noting it as a “culprit” that exacerbates thiamine deficiency by burning out the vitamin, potentially worsening symptoms like shortness of breath Reddit.
  
  

Hurdles & Side Effects

• Caffeic acid was reported to contribute to thiamine (B1) depletion, which may lead to symptoms such as shortness of breath and exacerbate conditions like POTS Reddit.