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Apitherapy |
What is it? Apitherapy (“Apis” from Latin “bee”) is the medicinal use of honey bee products including: bee venom, raw honey, pollen, royal jelly, wax and propolis. Bee venom (available from the live bee or in an injectable form) has a long tradition as a folk remedy for arthritis and other degenerative diseases. Of current interest, however, is recent research indicating that bee venom has pronounced anti-inflammatory, analgesic and immuno-stimulant properties. These therapeutic attributes bolster the claims of its efficacy in treating a great variety of diseases including shingles pain, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia. Raw (unheated) honey is a powerful medicine both internally and topically. Constipation, insomnia, and obesity are a few of its internal indications. More impressive though is its topical use as a sterile and painless wound dressing. Raw honey is hygroscopic (steals water from its environs) and kills germs in this way. In addition, it contains an anti-bacterial enzyme: glucose oxidase (which converts to hydrogen peroxide). Honey is the perfect sterile wound dressing. Physicians in many countries including France and Germany recommend its use in burns and superficial or deep lesions. Bee Pollen is derived from the most vital part of the plant. It is the primary protein source for “busy bees”. This food contains ALL the essential vitamins and minerals needed by humans. It is a standard fare for Olympic athletes. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-arthritis properties due to the phytochemicals it contains. It also has been used to desensitize people who have hay fever and pollen sensitivities. Propolis “Russian penicillin” is a product bees make from tree resins, which they use to keep their hive sterile. In vitro laboratory tests indicate that it is a potent anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal agent. It is commonly used to treat sore throats as well as topically for non-healing lesions of the skin. Royal Jelly is the substance fed to the queen bee larva, which allows her to develop into a genetically complete (fertile) insect. It has been said to enhance immune system function and is frequently used in skin creams. To learn more about each of these valuable substances made by the honey bee click on the links below and go to the web site of the American Apitherapy Society. Related Links The following are links to various published papers and organizations of interest:
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