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Apitherapy is the medical use of honeybee products. Most claims of apitherapy have not been proved to the scientific standards. In spite of that many conditions and diseases have been suggested as candidates for apitherapy, the most well-known being bee venom therapy for autoimmune diseases and multiple sclerosis. |
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While 'Apitherapy' encompasses use or consumption of bee products, the most commonly associated is Bee venom therapy and not consumption of honey or other bee products.
Bee venom therapy is claimed to be of use in arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, dissolving scar tissue (e.g. keloids), Herpes zoster (shingles), etc.
The most abundant active component of the venom is melittin, which has a powerful anti-inflammatory action. However, bee venom is a complex mix of a variety of peptides and proteins, some of which have strong neurotoxic and immunogenic effects.
There is no standardized practice as some proport the location of the sting is important and is likely a combination of acupuncture. Others report the location is not important. Number of stings also varies wildly from a few to hundreds and some are administered by live bees and others by injection. Extreme caution should be used before considering this, as anaphylactic shock can be fatal. |
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