Institute for Healing Arts Research : Director, Andrew Kochan, M.D.
Clinical Specialties: Apitherapy

 What is Apitherapy?

Apitherapy, or "bee therapy” (from apis which means bee in Latin) is the medicinal use of products made by bees. In the united States it is Apis mellifera, the European honey bee which is most commonly used. Products of the honey bee include bee venom, honey, pollen, royal jelly, propolis, and beeswax.

Therapies involving the honey bee have existed for thousands of years and some of them may be old as human medicine itself. The ancient rock art of early hunter-gatherers depicts the honey bee as a source of natural medicine. Bee venom therapy was practiced in ancient Egypt, Greece, and China -- three Great Civilizations known for their highly developed medical systems. Hippocrates, the Greek physician known as the "Father of Medicine", recognized the healing virtues of bee venom for treating arthritis and other joint problems. Today, growing scientific evidence suggests that various bee products promote healing by improving circulation, decreasing inflammation, and stimulating a healthy immune response.

For more information on the history of modern apitherapy, visit the American Apitherapy Society website at www.apitherapy.org

Andrew Kochan, MD - Medical Pioneer in Modern Apitherapy

Dr. Andrew Kochan is the current President of the American Apitherapy Society. He has been on the forefront of evidence-based clinical research on bee therapies for nearly 15 years. He became interested in apitherapy when he learned that it helped certain conditions, especially shingles, that did not respond well to conventional medicine. He has seen first-hand the remarkable benefits of apitherapy for health problems which could not be successfully treated with allopathic medicine. Apitherapy, in general, and bee venom therapy, in particular are one of Dr. Kochan's main areas of clinical interest. Bee products are an integral part of his approach to treating acute and chronic pain.

Cautions

Bee products are a valuable source of healing, but individuals susceptible to allergies should use apitherapy with caution. People who have a history of heart disease, hypertension, tuberculosis, or diabetes should check with an expert in apitherapy such as Dr. Kochan before using bee products.

Related Links

The following are links to various published papers and organizations of interest:


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