Apitherapy
Bee Sting Therapy
Bee stings as therapy? Apitherapy is the medical application of bee stings or other bee products to treat a variety of ailments. A variety of honey bee products including pollen, honey, bee propolis, bee venom and royal jelly, are all used medically to treat chronic pain, arthritis, shingles, burns, inflammatory problems like bursitis and tendonitis, some cancers, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Apitherapy is derived from the Latin word ‘Apis’ meaning bees. The simplest definition of Apitherapy is the use of bee stings or bee venom to get rid of a disease or the use of bee products to cure a disease.
Bee venom therapy
In apitherapy or bee sting therapy, bees are placed on trigger points associated with a particular ailment. Bee venom when injected into the body through the bee stinging the person, is believed to stimulate the adrenal glands, which produce the cortisol hormone. The bee venom in the bee sting is said to stimulate the body’s own healing power through the cortisol hormone, which has anti-inflammatory properties. Bee sting therapy for rheumatoid arthritis and bee sting therapy for mulltiple sclerosis and other conditions that involve inflammation have been found effective for many individuals. People who are allergic to bee stings should avoid apitherapy. Anyone wishing to undergo bee sting therapy should consult a trained practitioner for treatment though many have administered their own bee venom therapy by sourcing bees from local beekeepers.
Bee propolis
Bee propolis is a sticky resin produced by bees from sap that oozes out of the buds of certain trees and flowers. The worker bees collect the propolis and use it to coat the inside of their hive. This is said to make the bee hive very safe because propolis has anti-bacterial properties. Propolis is used on cuts and bruises in the form of a salve. It is also a powerful source of antioxidants that can help prevent cell damage.
Honey
Raw honey is another bee product used in apitherapy. It is a source of energy, has a natural store of vitamins and minerals, and possesses mild anti-bacterial and antibiotic properties. It is useful in fighting ailments like sore throat, cough and minor burns. Raw honey is considered the healthier and more wholesome option because it is naturally organic and has not been processed in any way.
Bee pollen
Bee pollen has trace amounts of vitamins and minerals, and has a high protein and carbohydrate content. It is found in certain nutritional supplements and Chinese herbal medicines. Bee pollen is made up of a mixture of plant nectar, pollen and bee saliva. Scientific evidence shows that pollen has anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and cancer fighting properties. Pollen is reported to have several uses in medicine; it is used as part of apitherapy to therapeutically decrease hay fever and pollen sensitivities in people, treat varicose veins, fatigue, infertility, impotence, obesity, constipation, high cholesterol and triglycerides, diarrhea, depression, hypertension, scar formation and prostatitis. Pollen is not toxic and can be used safely as a long term treatment.
Royal jelly
Royal jelly is a milky white substance that is produced by the salivary glands of the worker bees for their queen bee. The queen bee uses it to live a long and fertile life. Royal jelly as part of the apitherapy is used to fight a variety of medical conditions like infertility, fatigue, asthma, loss of appetite and to lower cholesterol.
Apitherapy is a popular form of therapy for treating a wide range of medical conditions including bee sting therapy for rheumatoid arthritis as well as bee sting therapy for multiple sclerosis. However, it should be understood that there is not currently sufficent scientific proof to back all patient claims, though many swear by it. Apitherapy has no side effects, so it is a treatment worth trying.
Yes
No
Flag
Comments
Add a new comment - No HTMLYou must be logged in and verified to post a comment. Please log in or sign up to comment.