Apitherapy: how to improve health with the help of bees

"If nothing else helps you, turn to the bees and they will cure you." We decided to follow the advice of Hippocrates and talk about apitherapy – a method of treatment with the help of bees.

What is apitherapy?

It is a therapy using all bee products: from honey, royal jelly, wax, to the very venom. That is almost waste-free production.

Modern science is just beginning to reveal all the advantages of apitherapy, which was practiced in ancient Greece, Egypt and China. In the United States, apitherapy was glorified by the doctor Bodog Felix Beck – he treated arthritis with bee venom at the beginning of the last century. We also did not lag behind: almost simultaneously with Dr. Beck, the Soviet scientist Nikolai Mikhailovich Artemov was engaged in scientific apitherapy. He, however, followed the bee venom and investigated the poison of other animals, but this is not on our topic.

A key method in apitherapy is apitoxin therapy. Or treatment with bee venom (apitoxin). Either through the stings of live bees, or through injections at certain points on the body. Healers have been using bee sting treatment for over 5,000 years! Helps to cope with many things – including headaches, joint pain and skin rashes. But more on that.

Advantages

What is the benefit of apitherapy? Let's start with propolis. You probably bought toothpaste with the addition of this resinous substance (it is also called bee glue). Propolis is a combination of beeswax, tree resin, honey and enzymes that protect hives from external threats (bacteria or viruses). Propolis has a number of pleasant bonuses for the human body: it reduces inflammation of the gums and plaque (which is why it is often added to toothpaste and mouthwashes). It also helps in healing mouth ulcers.

Honey is not only a good natural sweetener. It has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Which help in healing wounds and reduce the risk of infection. Raw honey improves sleep (and has better antibacterial properties). And it can also soothe a sore throat – we also know this life hack from childhood.

The key to getting the benefits of apitherapy is raw and unfiltered bee products. Quality matters more than ever here, especially in the case of honey. Therefore, carefully read the composition and buy it only from trusted manufacturers.

Back to poison

Bee venom therapy can help reduce the symptoms of autoimmune diseases (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, encephalomyelitis) and generally strengthen the immune system. The most well-known reason for using apitherapy is to relieve the pain of arthritis. Here, bee venom is injected into the skin (about 40 stings at a time) and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent – the procedure should not only reduce pain, but also relieve swelling.

Another purpose of apitoxin therapy is to help with skin inflammations (for example, psoriasis). Studies show that those who were injected with bee venom in the affected areas of the skin saw noticeable improvements after 12 weeks.

Food for young larvae

This food, known as royal jelly, also has a beneficial effect on the body. It even improves brain function! Milk contains many more nutrients than honey itself: B vitamins, biotin, collagen, vitamins A, C, D and E and a wide range of minerals, amino acids and various enzymes. It has antibacterial and antifungal properties and supports neurogenesis, the growth of new brain cells. In addition, royal jelly contains a bioactive compound (10-HDA) that enhances cognition. And phospholipids improve short-term memory. Are you preparing for an exam? Eat royal jelly! By the way, it is tasty, although sour.

What other “bee therapies " can I try?

Aeroapitherapy – sleep treatment on the hives. Sounds unusual? And there is. This is a subspecies of apitherapy, in which the bees themselves are used, and the therapy occurs through vibration, sound (buzzing), temperature and essential oils in the air and pollen aromas. In a special apidomik there is a bed, inside of which there is a beehive with bees. Your task is to lie down and enjoy a light massage and the sounds of real nature.

In addition to the relaxing effect, aeroapitherapy stimulates the respiratory system, the work of the nervous and cardiac, gastrointestinal tract and improves immunity. Such procedures help to relax the muscles of the back and improve the psycho-emotional state. Something that we all really need, given the sedentary lifestyle and constant stress.

You can try aeroapitherapy in different parts of our country. But you can buy honey (and royal jelly) right now!