Apitherapy- what is it and what does it do?
Apitherapy has been successfully used by many of its proponents for centuries. What is apitherapy, what does apitherapy do and how to use apitherapy with bee products on a daily basis? We invite you to read our blog :)
Table of contents:
- What does apitherapy do?
- Bee venom, honey, pollen, bee bread and wax in apitherapy.
- Benefits and applications of apitherapy.
- Are there any side effects or potential risks from using apitherapy?
- Summary.
Apitherapy is a type of alternative therapy using products derived directly from honeybees. It is used to treat diseases and their symptoms, as well as pain after acute and chronic injuries.
Diseases that apitherapy can treat include:
- multiple sclerosis
- arthritis
- infections
- shingles
Injuries that can be treated with apitherapy include:
- wounds
- pain
- Burns
- Tendons
During the use of apitherapy, bee products can be:
- applied topically,
- taken orally,
- injected directly into the blood.
Apitherapy has been used for thousands of years. It originates from ancient Egypt and China. Greeks and Romans also used bee products for medicinal purposes, where bee venom was used to treat joint pain caused by arthritis.
2. Bee venom, honey, pollen, bee bread and wax in apitherapy
Apitherapy can include all products produced naturally from honeybees. This includes:
- Bee venom. Worker bees produce bee venom. It can be delivered directly from a bee sting. A bee sting can be administered to the skin through a stainless steel micromesh. This allows the venom to enter the skin, but prevents the stinger from attaching to the skin, which would kill the bee.
- Honey. Bees produce this sweet substance. Proper management of bee colonies allows us to obtain real, raw honey in cooperation with the bees.
- Pollen. This is the male reproductive material that bees collect from plants. It contains a large number of vitamins and nutrients.
- Royal jelly. The queen bee feeds on this food enriched with enzymes. It contains a large number of beneficial vitamins.
- Bee bread. It is a combination of beeswax, tree resins, honey and enzymes produced by bees to protect the hive from external threats such as bacteria or viruses. Thanks to this, it has strong antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
- Wax. Honeybees produce beeswax to build the hive and store both honey and pollen. It is commonly used in cosmetic products.
Finding products that are as pure and, in some cases, fresh as possible can help achieve the best possible results from apitherapy. Taking a vitamin that contains, for example, only a small portion of royal jelly would not be as effective as taking a vitamin with a higher dose of the bee product.
It is also worth noting that local honey can be the most beneficial in fighting allergies.
3. Benefits and applications of apitherapy
Apitherapy can be used to treat many different conditions. Among the precious benefits and applications of apitherapy the following should be mentioned:
- Relieving joint pain
Bee venom therapy (BVT) has been used since ancient Greek times to relieve pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis. This is due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
Research Trusted Source found that BVT can lead to a reduction in swelling, pain and stiffness in people with rheumatoid arthritis. One study even showed that it could reduce the need for traditional medications and at the same time reduce the risk of relapse.
- Wound treatment
Honey has long been used topically to treat wounds - including both open cuts and burns - thanks to its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. This is confirmed by today's research. A scientific study conducted in 2008 (source) showed that medical dressings containing honey were effective in helping wounds heal while reducing the risk of infection.
- Help with allergies
As it turns out, local wildflower honey can help treat allergies in several ways. Honey can soothe a sore throat caused by allergies and act as a natural cough suppressant.
Local wildflower honey can also protect people against allergies. This is because local honey can also contain trace amounts of pollen - a known allergen. Consuming local honey - from a Polish apiary - can slowly introduce this allergen to the body, potentially building immunity to it.
- Treatment of immune and neurological conditions
BVT (bee venom) can be used as a complementary treatment in diseases related to both the immune system and the neurological system, including:
- Parkinson's disease,
- multiple sclerosis,
- Alzheimer's disease.
Although bee venom should not be the first or only treatment for these conditions, research has shown (Trusted Source) that bee venom was able to strengthen the immune system and reduce some symptoms of these conditions in the body - partly due to the anti-venom action of bee venom. inflammatory effects.
It should be noted that these studies also indicate that bee venom can be a double-edged sword. Bee venom can cause side effects in many people, even if they are not allergic. Treatment should be carefully planned in contact with a doctor.
- Thyroid function regulation
BVT has been found to help regulate thyroid function in women with hyperthyroidism. However, research into BVT as a thyroid treatment is currently very limited. Further intensive research is required.
- Reducing gingivitis and plaque
Propolis can offer many health benefits. Added to mouthwash, it can reduce gingivitis and plaque. A study by Research Trusted Source on mouthwashes containing propolis found that it can naturally protect against oral diseases. Propolis can even help treat and prevent ulcers.
- Serves as a natural multivitamin
Both royal jelly and propolis contain a large number of vitamins and nutrients. In fact, they can be taken as multivitamins to improve overall health, including hair appearance. Propolis can be used as an oral supplement or in the form of propolis tincture, the raw material for which can be purchased in our online shop here. Royal jelly comes in the form of soft gels and capsules.
4. Are there any side effects or potential risks of apitherapy?
Different methods of apitherapy carry different risks. For people allergic to bee products, all methods of apitherapy can be dangerous and carry undesirable side effects or potential risks of apitherapy.
In particular, BVT (bee venom) can be dangerous. Bee venom can trigger a histamine reaction. This can cause irritation, such as swollen, red skin, to severe allergic reactions that can be life-threatening. BVT can be painful. Even if you are not severely allergic to bees, it can lead to negative side effects. These include:
- headache
- cough
- uterine contractions
- discolouration of the sclera or white of the eye
- jaundice or yellowing of the skin
- severe body pain
- muscle weakness
Apitherapy uses many different bee products. Some apitherapy practices will have lower risks than others. For example, adding honey to tea to soothe a sore throat carries less risk than being stung by bees to relieve joint pain.
Talk to your doctor to see if apitherapy is right for you. Together you can ensure that it does not interfere with any other current treatment. If you are ready to look into apitherapy and your doctor is unsure where to go next, look for a naturopath who offers it as a treatment method.
For proven products necessary for the use of apitherapy, we invite you to our online shop. We encourage you to read the hundreds of positive reviews from other customers. We especially recommend:
We welcome you and wish you loooots of health!
Bibliography/ Sources:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1744388118300641
