Bee sting therapy

Bee sting therapy uses bee venom to relieve the symptoms associated with a wide variety of diseases, including arthritis, multiple sclerosis, tendonitis, and fibromyalgia. Bee venom therapy, which is a part of Apitherapy, is the use of beehive products, including honey, pollen, propolis, royal jelly, bee venom. A bee is held to a person's skin and allowed to sting, releasing its "venom" into the recipient. The principal active component of bee venom is melittin, a powerful anti-inflammatory substance, said to be 100 times more potent than hydrocortisone.

Why should I be aware of this?

• Just as most of the valuable pharmaceutical drugs have been derived from the myriad plant, many of the bioactive ingredients in bee venom are a treasured, but little known, part of nature’s pharmacy.
• Though bee sting therapy is mostly an unrecognized grassroots or folk medicine treatment, it has been given a huge boost recently by the easy spread of information via the internet. It has also been adopted by many alternative medicine practitioners.
• Though many people claim to have benefited from the treatment, the medical profession in general views it with suspicion and says that it is an unproven technique that could end up doing more harm than good.

All about bee sting therapy

After a sting, the bee venom stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol, a natural human hormone that has anti-inflammatory properties. The therapy prompts the immune system to produce a healing response through the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands, and spurs the production of endorphins, the body's natural pain killer. The antibacterial and antiviral properties of bee venom make it a unique weapon in fighting bacterial and viral ailments of the central nervous system and elsewhere.

Preliminary case studies suggest that bee venom may improve symptoms of:

• Rheumatoid Arthitis
• Gout
• Osteoarthritis
• Bursitis
• Tendonitis
• Post herpetic neuralgia
• Painful or keloid scars
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic fatigue syndrome

Healing process

Bee venom also contains neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. These work with the peptide apamin to facilitate nerve transmission and healing in conditions involving nerve disorders. This gives bee venom the ability to travel along neural pathways from the spine, to various trigger points, and injured areas to help repair nerve damage and restore mobility.

Traditionally, live bees were used to administer venom by stimulating them to sting in the affected area, trigger points or acupuncture points. During the late spring to early fall season bees have a good pollen source to produce potent venom. Bee venom is most effective during this period. Their venom during the winter period is less potent.

Therapy procedure

• Bee venom therapy is practiced by health practitioners and lay apitherapists.
• Bee venom is administered by properly trained therapists in the form of a direct bee sting or a variant of it, or else by injection of a venom extract.
• Normally, at the start of the therapy, a small amount of venom is administered intradermally to determine whether the patient is allergic to the venom.
• If there is no allergic reaction, the therapy is continued with the administration of one to two bee stings or injections.
• The therapy is carried out at an average of three times a week, and gradually increased.
• The length of the therapy is determined by the nature and severity of the condition.
• Administration of bee venom involves discomfort, including pain, itching, swelling, inflammation and redness.
• Symptoms like redness, swelling and itching are desired effects of the therapy and go to show that the patient is responding to the venom.
• The more severe the reaction, but not anaphylaxis, the faster the recovery.

What can I do?

• The decision to try bee sting therapy depends on your personal inclination toward a natural approach, input from your doctor and the ability to tolerate bee stings.
• To reduce these side effects, many use a light fan or a hot, wet washcloth on the site of the sting. Others, however, are convinced some reaction to the sting is essential to successful therapy.
• If you're sensitive to bee stings, you might want to consult an allergist before pursuing treatment.
• Apitherapists, beekeepers, acupuncturists, and lay practitioners are capable of performing this treatment. But be sure certain whoever it is follows the set guidelines. Inform your doctor of your decision before trying any new treatment.

90 degrees

Bee sting therapy could be life threatening for someone truly allergic to bee venom. For people with only a sensitivity, gradual use of the venom over time may help build up a tolerance.

References:

• Bee Sting Therapy
• BEE VENOM THERAPY
• Bee Sting Therapy: Healing from the Hive
• Bee Venom Therapy