Apitherapy: A valuable gift from honey bee

Abstract

Apitherapy is the use of bee products such as honey, pollen, propolis, bee wax, royal jelly and venom to prevent or to treat illness and promote healing. Apitherapy dates back to 460 BC, where Hippocrates utilized bee stings on his patients for the treatment of diseases. Its importance was highlighted with the publication of the First scientific paper by Desjardins, on the successful treatment and curative properties of bee venom for rheumatic disease. Filip Terc, who treated many of his patients with bee venom was considered as the “Father of Apitherapy”. Christopher Kim, patented the first standardized and federal regulated injectable form of honey bee venom known as Apitoxin. Bee products have been used for treatment of varieties of ailments. Honey is used for wound management, pediatric care, gastrointestinal disorder, pharyngitis, cough etc. Pollen that results from agglutination of honey is widely used for burn wounds, allergies and cosmetics. Propolis is used for gastrointestinal disorder and oncological treatment. Royal jelly is used for enhancing reproductive health and treating neurodegenerative disorders. Bee wax is effectively used as coating for slow drug release. Venom is used for treatment of Parkinson’s disease, neuralgia and cancer. “APILARNIL” and Bee hive airare also used for their beneficial effects on humans.