Apitherapy

The exotic substances produced by bees have been invested with assorted medicinal powers since the dawn of history. The venom from bee stings, for instance, has been recommended as a remedy for arthritis since the time of the ancient Egyptians. And modern advocates of apitherapy still hold great faith in the powers of so-called royal jelly, which they say can boost energy and ease the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Apitherapy has, in fact, been promoted for everything from chronic pain, back pain, and migraines to such disorders as hair loss, poor vision, gout, asthma, certain skin conditions, loss of memory, and poor bladder control.

Despite all these claims, modern clinical testing has failed to reveal any medicinal value in the various byproducts of bees. Indeed, the only currently accepted application of apitherapy is in desensitization treatments for people with a potentially life-threatening allergy to bee stings. For such individuals, controlled exposure to tiny amounts of bee venom can help build a protective tolerance.

Lately there has also been much speculation about a potential role for bee venom in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. The Multiple Sclerosis Society has provided a research grant to study the possibility, and The International Apiary Society reportedly is tracking 4,500 people with multiple sclerosis for the same purpose. However, the jury remains out on the treatment's real value, and few doctors recommend it--at least for now.

Five bee-generated substances fall under the rubric of apitherapy. Each is credited with various health benefits, though none has been conclusively shown to deliver them.

BEE VENOM
Advocates contend that bee venom, when injected directly into the joints, provides an effective remedy for rheumatoid arthritis. They believe that the highly inflammatory venom triggers such an outpouring of anti-inflammatory hormones that there are plenty left over to ease the pain and swelling of the disease. However, while some arthritis victims have indeed reported relief, the effectiveness of such therapy has never been confirmed by scientific tests.

ROYAL JELLY
This substance has a major impact--on bees. When fed to an ordinary female bee, it extends her life twenty-fold and enables her to produce twice her weight in eggs. Perhaps it's this life-giving effect on the queen bee that suggested the possibility of an energizing property in humans. Unfortunately, there's no scientific evidence that any such property exists.

BEE POLLEN
Promoted as an energy boosting nutritional supplement, the pollen collected by bees does in fact contain vitamins, minerals, sugar, protein, and fat. However, so does ordinary food, and the purported advantages of bee pollen over other sources of nutrition are debatable at best. Don't, for instance, rely on bee pollen as a good source of protein. Ounce for ounce, you'll get more from a sirloin steak.
Some athletes claim that bee pollen supplements improve their athletic performance. However, scientific tests have so far failed to reveal any difference. Other advocates believe that bee pollen helps fight infection. In this case, quite the opposite seems to hold true: not only does bee pollen fail to kill infection, it actually helps feed the invading germs. Another enduring myth holds that bee pollen slows the aging process. However, this claim is based on the longevity of a particular group of people who, when ultimately studied, didn't appear to consume any bee pollen whatsoever.

RAW HONEY
Advocates tout raw honey as a quick source of energy and a natural supply of several minerals and B-complex vitamins. To the extent that it contains glucose, the form of sugar most readily converted to energy, these claims are no doubt true. However, the amount of difference this makes in actual practice is subject to debate.

PROPOLIS
Bees manufacture this waxy substance from a tar-like material they collect from trees. Advocates say it has antioxidant properties that can protect the body's cells from damage by free radicals. Its beneficial effects have yet to be scientifically verified, however.

Before undertaking any type of apitherapy, be sure to get tested for an allergy to bee venom. Life-threatening allergic reactions have occurred after a single exposure to the venom--or to a single dose of royal jelly. Even if you've been stung in the past without apparent harm, you may still have developed an allergy since then. Allergies usually don't surface with the first sting, but once you've been sensitized, a second sting can send you into shock.

For some people, even the slightest risk of a reaction simply can't be justified. If you have a heart condition, for instance, you should avoid all forms of apitherapy. Those with diabetes, tuberculosis, or other types of infections should also be wary. It's wise, too, to avoid apitherapy during pregnancy.

People receiving bee venom treatments are likely to experience pain, inflammation, stiffness, soreness, and itching ... as anyone who has ever had a bee sting knows. Of more concern is the possibility of a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction in someone unaware that he's allergic. Due to the danger of such a reaction, many practitioners believe treatments should be administered only in the presence of a physician.

According to the American Apitherapy Society, which has 1,600 members, there are some 10,000 people who perform apitherapy. For more information, or for a referral, contact the society at 800-823-3460. Check with your physician as well. Doctors who believe in apitherapy can often make referrals.

It is probably wise to discontinue treatment if the discomfort becomes intolerable or the therapy isn't helping.

If your symptoms fail to improve, or any new symptoms appear, your best course is to discuss the situation with your doctor. For most problems, other, more effective remedies are available.