Apitherapy is the use of honeybee products such as honey, pollen, propolis,
royal jelly and bee venom, for medicinal purposes.
Many flying insects have a venomous sting, but the honeybee's venom possesses
unique medicinal qualities the others lack. Though bees are domesticated and
easy to raise, it is actually the hive products that are used most often.
Apitherapy began as a folk medicine, its medicinal effectiveness noted by
Hippocrates and mentioned in Chinese text that are 2000 years old. Many licensed
health professionals are beginning to use apitherapy, either with live bees or
in an injection form, but most people administer bee sting therapy to themselves
or seek the assistance of a lay practitioner.
Components of Bee Venom
Mellitin:
- provides the itch in bee venom
- has powerful antibacterial and cytoxic properties
- produces signs of inflammation via the release of histamines
- stimulates the release of ACTH which stimulates the adrenal glands to
produce cortisol, part of the body's own healing mechanism
- is 100% more potent than hydrocortisol as an anti-inflammatory agent when
tested in rats (Nature, November, 1974)
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Mast Cell Degranulating Peptide:
- is the most powerful seizure producing agent known to man
- increases short term memory in rats (maze test)
Apamin:
- enhances long term synaptic transmission
- shortens duration of nerve's action potential
Hyaluronidase:
- loosens the glue (hyaluronic acid) which connects cells making tissues
more permeable, thus allowing the delivery of healing substances to reach
damaged areas and toxic substances to be eliminated
Dopamine (neurotransmitter):
- a neurotransmitter that increases motor activity: it is deficient in
Parkinson's patients, excessive in psychotic patients
Adolapin:
Treatment
Direct Treatment With Bee Stings
- Patient must always be tested for sensitivity to bee venom. An
antihistamine, like Benydryl, and a sting kit with a syringe to inject
adrenaline must be kept available to deal with an allergic reaction
- Do a test sting on the most painful trigger points near the site of the
arthritic condition. The reaction to the test sting lets the patient know if
the treatment for their particular form of arthritis will be effective.
- Firm pressure is applied with the thumb to find the trigger point closest
to the affected area. Trigger points are located all over the body, more
specifically along nerve pathways.
- The pain of the sting can be greatly reduced by numbing the area with an
ice cube or can of frozen juice.
- Bee stings provide the same mechanical effects of the needles in
acupuncture in addition to the pharmacological effects of the bee venom.
- Bee Venom Therapy is a classic example of the homeopathic principle of
"like cures like." Rheumatic disease causes swelling, pain and
inflammation; bee stings cause the same symptoms.
- The pain accompanying bee stings may stimulate the body's pain-relieving
endorphins, which in turn relieve the discomfort of rheumatic disease.
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Applications
Application of Non-Direct Treatments:
- Topical Products: Creams, liniments, ointments, salves. Used for the
treament of arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, joint inflammation, skin
diseases and eczema.
- Oral Products: Tablets, capsules and drops. Homeopathic products such as
Apis mellifica and Apis Virus-venom sac extract.
- Bee Venom Solutions: For the injection preparation, venom is dissolved in
a hot, isotonic saline solution than passed through a micro pore filter.
This may partially destroy the active components of the venom. Do not use
alcohol or iodine to disinfect the injection sight. Clean the injection site
with ether or benzene. Xyulocaine or lidocaine can be added to desensitize
the area. Freeze-dried venom solution may also be used.
Effectiveness of Applications:
Topical Applications:
- Burns: antibacterial properties promote faster healing and less scaring.
Provides a barrier to prevent fluid loss and wound invasion.
- Scar Tissue: Fading, softening and breaking down of external and internal
scar tissue and adhesions from previous surgeries.
- Provides a sterile solution in which to hold skin grafts for future use.
Bee Venom Therapy for Acute and Chronic Injuries:
- Multiple Sclerosis: reduces number of flare-ups, hospitalizations, lessens
symptoms of numbness, spasticity, and incontinence.
- Rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, reduction in pain, swelling and nodule
size.
- Bursitis and tendonitis
- Connective tissue disease such as scleroderma
- Gastroenteritis and ulcerative colitis
- Asthma
- Chronic back and neck pain
- Stomach and skin ulcers
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Effectiveness
Effectiveness of Applications:
Topical Application:
- Burns: antibacterial properties promote faster healing and less scarring.
Provides a barrier to prevent fluid loss and wound invasion.
- Scar Tissue: Fading, softening and breaking down of external and internal
scar tissue and adhesions form previous surgeries.
- Provides a sterile solution in which to hold skin grafts for future use.
Bee Venom Therapy for Acute and Chronic Injuries
- Multiple Sclerosis: reduces number of flare-ups, hospitalizations, lessens
symptoms of numbness, spasticity and incontinence.
- Rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, reduction in pain, swelling and nodule
size.
- Bursitis and tendonitis
- Connective tissue disease such as scleroderma
- Gastroenteritis and ulcerative colitis
- Asthma
- Chronic back and neck pain
- Stomach and skin ulcers