1) What is Apitherapy?
As a technique, it is the medical use of the products of the honey bee Hive often used with Essential Oils.
As a philosophy, it is a form of harmony between the individual and the environment.
As a medical principle, it is primarily the cultivation of health and its re-establishment when sickness interferes.
2) What products are used in Apitherapy?
They are: honey, pollen, propolis, royal jelly, and bee venom. These products can be used individually. More frequently, several of those are used together. Essential oils, already present in honey and propolis are often used in conjunction with the products of the hive.
3) What kinds of conditions are treated with Apitherapy?
Currently the most popular and well known uses of honey bee venom in the United States are for People suffering from MS and many forms of arthritis. Now, the only condition that has actual scientific data supporting the use of Apitherapy for treatment is post-herpetic neuralgia. There were several articles written in the first half of the 1900's about using bee venom in the treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis and there is some ongoing research now looking at it's effect in Multiple Sclerosis. Anecdotal reports suggest that it might have some usefulness in the treatment of infectious, auto-immune, cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, neuropathic pain and other chronic pain conditions.
4) How are MS and Arthritis treated?
Bee Venom, in synergy with other bee products, is the major therapeutic agent. Live bee stings or a commercially available venom extract which can be injected by doctors are used in in conjunction with one or more of the products of the bee hive mentioned above.
5) Where can I find someone who can help me with Apitherapy?
The American Apitherapy Society (AAS) has information on its database of practitioners and of people ready to give information and assistance. This information is available to society members.
6) Who practices Apitherapy?
Practitioners include physicians, nurses, acupuncturists, naturopaths as well as interested laypersons including bee keepers who can provide persons who want bee venom therapy with bees and instruct them how to treat themselves.
7) Is Apitherapy covered by insurance?
No, however, many AAS members practitioners do not charge for the procedure but some do charge for their time. A donation to AAS is appreciated to support the dissemination of information about and education about Apitherapy. The amount of the donation can vary and can be discussed with the practitioner. Joining the AAS is another way to support the organization and you get an informative and entertaining newsletter quarterly as part of the membership.
8) Is Apitherapy a recognized therapy in the US ?
No official body in the US has sanctioned Apitherapy as a recognized treatment modality. Bee venom has been approved by the FDA for de-sensitization purposes only. Apitherapy is considered, from both the legal and medical view point, an experimental approach.
9) What about Bee Sting allergy? I had a bee sting me once and swelled up a lot. I was told I am allergic. Can I still get bee venom therapy?
Contrary to popular belief allergy to honey bee sting is relatively rare: about 7 in a thousand persons is allergic. Of this proportion only a small percentage risks anaphylactic shock. Never the less bee venom treatment is always to be preceded by a test of sensitivity. A sensitive person can be de-sensitized to bee venom, thus allowing Apitherapy to proceed. AAS recommends that any one that uses or administers bee venom have readily available an Epinephrine kit to be used in case of anaphylactic response and know how to use it. Erroneously, many people consider swelling after a sting to be an allergic reaction. Swelling is a normal response of the body as are localized redness, swelling and itching.
10) What can I find about Apitherapy in the literature?
AAS has numerous sources of information available: a CD on Apitherapy created by the Apitherapy Commission of Apimondia, a video cassette presentation, and several books. They can be ordered from the AAS store on our web site, which is currently undergoing a re-organization. Kindly check back on our web site to see when it will re-open.