Bee stings or apitherapy (The term comes from the Latin apis, which means “bee”) as it is known or BVT (Bee Venom Therapy) is thought by many to reduce the effects of arthritis. The bee venom is administered either by needle or actual bee sting. The theory has been banded around for years, with the main concept being the bee venom reduces inflamation. This is of course true as South Korean found that the principle peptide in bee venom (melittin) blocks the expression of inflammatory genes that can cause painful tissue swelling in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Another anti inflamatory subtance found in the venom is adolapin. Melittin stimulates the body’s production of cortisol, a natural steroid that also acts as an anti-inflammatory.

BVT is also used to treat a number of other ailments such as tendonitis, bursitis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms, and even pevent and treat cancer.

Of course with anything there is a risk involved, an allergic reaction to the stings could result in Anaphylaxis (anaphylatic shock). This can lead to death in extreme cases.

The history of apitherapy reaches back to ancient China, Egypt and Greece. Hippocrates, the Greek physician known as the “father of medicine”, used bee venom to treat arthritis and other joint problems. The Austrian physician Phillip Terc initiated the modern study of bee venom and intentional bee stings when he published his article “Report about a Peculiar Connection Between the Beestings and Rheumatism” in 1888. The late beekeeper Charles Mraz of Middlebury, Vermont is credited with popularising bee venom therapy over the past 60 years in the United States. Today, thousands of medical professionals and lay practitioners use apitherapy acroos the globe.

I realise this infoi isnt anything new but I think its very interesting and wondered if any of my readers have tried it? Or perhaps you get stung regularly while beekeeping and you notice the health benefits? Please let us know by using the comment form below: