APITHERAPY - MEDICINE FROM THE HIVE

One of our many thousands of employees
at Long Lane Honey Bee Farms

Apitherapy is a growing sector and a fascinating one as well. Apitherapy is the use of the various elements of the hive products, as well as bee venom therapy to treat numerous health ailments that include a vast array of things from burns and wounds, to arthritis, allergies, MS, and rheumatic diseases.  People have always known that upset tummies, sore throats, the occasional constipation issue and insomnia can be helped greatly with the use of honey.


Specific bee products for health care have been used for centuries in different cultures. For instance, Hippocrates, in the fourth century BC, used bee venom to treat joint pain and arthritis; ancient Greek athletes used honey to boost their energy.  The Roman scholar, Pliny, wrote about the healing properties of propolis, claiming that it reduces swelling, soothes pain, and heals sores.


Bee pollen is said to aid in weight loss; cosmetic companies routinely use the revitalizing and moisturizing qualities of honey in hand creams, lotions, balms and salves. In Europe, bandages are now impregnated with honey, and royal jelly has been associated with controlling abnormal cholesterol. 


One of the most interesting of medicinal uses from the hive is bee sting therapy, or bee venom therapy (BVT).  While most mainstream doctors may equate bee sting therapy (or the use of the other products of the hives) with old wives' tales, there are many doctors and naturopaths who do use BVT in their practices. Bee venom therapy is done by actually catching a honeybee, holding it against a person's exposed skin and letting it intentionally sting the person. How long to allow the venom sack to stay in a person's skin and how many times to sting depends on various things.  Making a bee sting someone in an affected area works because it increases circulation, reduces inflammation, and stimulates the immune system. It is said that there are no old beekeepers who suffer from arthritis!


Finding someone who will sting you is hard at best.  Members only (at a cost) can access that information at www.apitherapy.org. Note: Bee venom therapy should be left up to a knowledgeable person on the subject and not undertaken yourself. There are many variables that affect a good outcome. There are some people allergic to bee stings! Conferences and classes on apitherapy can also be found at the website www.apitherapy.org.  


More informaton on apitherapy news can be found at apitherapy.blogspot.com.