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BEE VENOM THERAPY
by
Glenn
Rothfeld M.D.
Apitherapy, the medicinal use of honey bee products, has been practiced since
ancient times. In the modern world honey bee venom has found wide uses in
treating arthritis and other inflammatory and degenerative diseases. The world
scientific literature contains more than 1500 articles on bee venom. The French
and Russian equivalents of the N.I.H. have been involved in clinical studies of
honey bee venom, and in the U.S. the Army has looked extensively at the chemical
compounds in bee venom.
Honey bee venom contains at least 18 active substances. Melittin, the most
prevalent substance, is one of the most potent anti-inflammatory agents known
(100 times more potent than hydrocortisol). Adolapin is another strong
anti-inflammatory substance, and inhibits cyclooxygenase; it thus has analgesic
activity as well. Apamin inhibits complement C3 activity, and blocks
calcium-dependent potassium channels, thus enhancing nerve transmission. Other
substances, such as Compound X, Hyaluronidase, Phospholipase A2, Histamine, and
Mast Cell Degranulating Protein (MSDP), are involved in the inflammatory
response of venom, with the softening of tissue and the facilitation of flow of
the other substances. Finally, there are measurable amounts of the
neurotransmitters Dopamine, Norepinephrine and Seratonin.
Bee Venom therapy can be useful in a wide variety of medical situations.
Charles Mraz, a beekeeper in Middlebury, Vermont who has popularized bee venom
therapy for the past 60 years, says that it is reasonable to try bee venom
therapy in any clinical situation where nothing else works. However, there are
four situations which are most frequent:
1. Arthritis and other systemic inflammations. Bee venom therapy can be useful
in both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, helping with both pain and swelling. In
the case of rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid nodules can lessen in size. Other
connective tissue diseases such as scleroderma have been (anecdotally) helped
by BVT. Even systemic inflammations not related to joints, such as ulcerative
colitis or even asthma, may warrant a trial of bee venom. This is presumedly
due to stimulation of endogenous cortisol through the
hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis.
2. Acute and chronic injuries. Bursitis, tendonitis and other areas of injury
respond well to bee venom therapy. In this case, the effect is probably a
local anti- inflammatory effect, involving the humoral and cellular immune
responses to a foreign protein. Chronic back and neck pain may respond, as can
other aches and pains.
3. Scar tissue. Keloids and other scar tissue are broken down and softened by
the substances in the venom, and can flatten out and fade in color.
Internalscar tissue, such as adhesions from previous surgery, may respond to
treatment over the area.
4. Multiple Sclerosis. This use of bee venom is poorly understood, and needs
to be studied further. Recently, the MS Associat ion of America awarded a
grant to an immunologist, Dr. John Santilli, to prepare the venom in extract
form to study its effect on MS patients. Hundreds of patients with MS
currently seek out bee venom therapists and beekeepers. The treatment is prol
ongued and not for the squeamish, but the common responses are increased
stability, less fatigue, and less spasm.
Bee Venom Therapy can be performed by a beekeeper, or by a patient or partner
who is taught to use the bees. A bee is removed from a jar or hive with
tweezers, held over an area of the body, which it then stings. The number,
sites, and frequency of the stings depend on the patient and the problem. A
simple tendonitis might just take a few stings, perhaps 2-3 at a session for 2-5
sessions. A more chronic problem like arthritis can take 2-3 times per week,
several stings at a time, for 1-3 months. Multiple sclerosis takes months to
respond, though sometimes patients feel more energetic after a few times. MS
patients who use bee venom insist that one must keep it up 2-3 times per week
for 6 months in order to give it a full trial.
There are physicians around who use bee venom therapy in their practices.
This is done by obtaining the venom (in sterilized vials) and injecting it under
the skin, sometimes mixed with a local anesthetic. Some say that collecting the
venom in vials loses some of its potency, but in many situations this is more
realistic than finding a beekeeper or handling bees.
Side effects of bee venom therapy are generally limited, since the
inflammation, swelling, itching, etc. are desired effects. However, the risk of
an anaphylactic allergic reaction to bee venom is real, and it is always wise to
have a bee sting allergy kit on hand. Fortunately, most "bee" sting
allergic reactions are actually to yellow jackets or wasps. Honey bee venom does
not necessarily cross-react, and some studies show honey bee stings to account
for less than 5% of all adverse stinging insect reactions. In addition, many
people who have had severe local reactions to bee stings, which an apitherapist
would consider a positive effect, are incorrectly considered to have allergy to
bees.
Finding a beekeeper who is willing to sting someone is a matter of calling
local beekeepers and organizations. There is also the American Apitherapy
Society, headquartered in Vermont. Charles Mraz of Middlebury Vermont is also a
source of wisdom and information regarding apitherapy. Books of interest include
Bees Don't Get Arthritis by Fred Malone (Academy Books) and Bee in
Balance by Amber Rose (Starpoint Ltd).
Some
related sources of information.
The American Apitherapy Society,Inc.
P.O. Box 54
Hartland Four Corners, VT.05049,
(Voice) 800-823-3460 (Fax) 802-436-2827
(International) 802-436-2708
Some
Related Links
For
more information please contact us by e-mail
mailto:beesknees@spectrum-med.com
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