The American Apitherapy Society

APITHERAPY

FAQ

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 philosphy, 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 restablishment 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-herpectic neuralgia.  There were serveral articles written in the first half of the 1900's about using bee venom in the treatment of osteoarthritis and rhumatoid 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 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.