Apitherapy in a nutshell
Apitherapy is based on the traditional knowledge provided by some civilizations aiming to restore body homeostasis. It is a branch of alternative medicine and, although the value of allopathic medicine is well recognized, the approach of apitherapy on healing is integrative. It may comprise the use of hive products alone or in combination with medicinal plants and their derivatives (api-pharmacopeia), as well as clinical protocols incorporating the use of the api-pharmacopeia and/or the bees (api-medicine). Apitherapy has been applied to treat illnesses (arthritis, infections, multiple sclerosis) and their symptoms, as well as pain and injuries like wounds and burns; however, the treatment requires patience and perseverance and must be adapted to each individual, due to different individual biological reactions.
The beehive life and products
The bees themselves chemically synthesize beeswax, bee venom, and royal jelly, while honey, propolis, bee pollen, and bee bread result from the modification of plant-derived material by bees.
Honey comes from the floral nectar or secretions from living parts of plants, which are collected and transformed by bees. It is deposited, dehydrated, stored and left in the honeycomb to mature. Honey is one of the main sources of energy for bees, containing mainly carbohydrates and minor substances such organic acids, proteins, minerals and vitamins.
Within the hive, bees store their food and the queen lays hundreds of eggs daily, which become larvae, pupae and adult bees. Thus, the hive needs to be protected from predators and microorganisms. Propolis is involved in the beehive protection.
In addition to the protection afforded by propolis, bees produce bee venom and sting through their stinger. The stinger has evolved from the laying apparatus and only females are able to sting. Bee venom is a complex material produced by the poisonous gland located in the abdominal cavity.
Bee pollen is the main source of proteins for bees. This product results from the agglutination of flower pollen by worker bees using nectar and salivary substances, which is deposited inside the hive. In addition to protein, pollen is a nutritional source of lipids, vitamins, minerals and certain carbohydrates.
Worker bees produce royal jelly through their hypopharyngeal and mandibular glands. Royal jelly is a viscous substance, whitish to yellow, and with an acidic taste. Its complex composition includes proteins, fatty acids, sugars, and minerals. Royal jelly is used for a short period in the diet of larvae and for the entire life of the queen.
Furthermore, bees produce beeswax as a construction material for their combs using the ceriferous glands located in the ventral part of the abdomen. The honeycomb is intended not only for storage of honey, pollen and RJ but also for laying eggs and for young bee development.
The principle and the evolution of the apitherapy story
The beginning of the relationship between men and bees may have evolved in the early days of our ancestors, and the interaction with bees must have occurred even before Homo sapiens.
The first documentation of beekeeping started when humans began raising their own bees, engineering artificial cavities in which bees could live and make their products. Honey, pollen and bee larvae were part of the diet of the first members of the genus Homo. Primitive men learned to look for hives and were certainly the first to receive apitherapy due to bee stings. Honey has been used for thousands of years, as observed in several religious texts including the Veda (Hindu scriptures), Quran and the Bible. Apitherapy has been empirically explored in ancient China and Egypt. Romans and Greeks used bee products for medicinal purposes.
Apitherapy is a growing practice worldwide and effective in alleviating a wide spectrum of diseases. Currently, apitherapy has been proven as a scientific-based practice since bee products may provide nutrients and active substances, restoring health and vital energy.
Depending on the source, the chemical composition of bee products may vary and consequently their therapeutic actions. The quality of the products used in apitherapy is subject to factors such as soil, climate, methods of harvesting and storage, and the botanic sources. Thus, it is important to establish the conditions in which the products were obtained, to not expose the patient to risks of contamination and to improve the results.
However, important questions can be raised concerning apitherapy. The traditional knowledge is extremely important and useful, and has been the basis of scientific research. On the other hand, as research has advanced a lot in recent decades, has this scientific knowledge has been? Is it possible to standardized the use of bee products and their applications? Although people think that natural products do not pose risks, are there adverse effects or any interaction between bee products and drugs commonly used to treat diseases? Above all, the need for establishing a better communication between beekeepers, apitherapists, researchers, nutritionists, physicians, sellers and consumers of bee products.
Honey
People around the world have empirically used honey as a medicine to treat a variety of diseases. Studies have demonstrated the nutritional value of honey and its therapeutic properties, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, cardiovascular protector and mainly as a healing product. One of the most explored characteristic of honey for medicinal purposes is its antioxidant action, due to the activity of polyphenolic compounds (phenolic acids and flavonoids), vitamins C and E, and enzymes (catalase, peroxidase). Polyphenolic compounds are also involved in honey anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects.
Bee Venom
In apitherapy, the bee sting has been employed to treat numerous health conditions such as arthritis, autoimmune diseases (multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus), and post-herpetic neuralgia by exerting an anti-inflammatory action. In Nigeria, bee venom has been used to treat malaria, rheumatism, arthritis, body pain, high blood pressure, headache and stroke. In addition, bee venom beneficial role in disorders of the muscular system, skin diseases such as psoriasis and dermatitis has also been observed.
Bee Pollen
Pollen has been prescribed in apitherapy to increase muscle mass. It has been applied for treating prostate disorders (prostatitis and benign prostatic hypertrophy) and in geriatrics in general, for anorexia (to maintain a good nutritional status), autoimmune diseases (thyroiditis, multiple sclerosis, lupus and celiac disease), memory loss, and cancer. Moreover, bee pollen has beneficial effects on lipid metabolism in the liver and exerts an immunomodulatory action, increasing the body’s resistance to infection.
Royal Jelly
Given its rich composition of bioactive compounds, royal jelly displays plenty of health benefits in apitherapy, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neurotrophic, hypotensive, antidiabetic, antirheumatic, anticarcinogenic, antifatigue, antiaging and antimicrobial activities. Royal jelly efficacy for wound healing and tissue repair, osteoporosis, as an immunomodulatory agent, regulating hormones, improving cognitive function, and reducing lipid levels has been reported. It is also indicated in contribution with treating diabetes, hypertension, cancer, skin disease, hyperlipidemia and neurodegenerative disease, such as in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Propolis
Propolis has antibacterial, antiviral, anti-parasitic and anti-cancer properties. It can be used to treat external warts, otitis media and autoimmune diseases, especially psoriasis. Propolis has been used not only externally but also internally to treat a great variety of diseases due to its abundance of constituents. Propolis has been indicated for flu and cold symptoms, skin disorders (wounds, burns, and acne), psoriasis, otorhinolaryngologic, gynecologic, obstetric and proctologic diseases, preventing caries and treating gingivitis or stomatitis. Propolis is indicated simultaneously with other bee products to reduce chronic inflammation. It can be used as an inhalation mixed with honey and saline solution. Medicine containing propolis exerts a positive effect in treating infections caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Propolis has been used to heal wounds, bedsores and burns in post-traumatic and postoperative individuals.
As discussed, evidence from studies point to the benefits of bee products for maintaining the health of individuals; in addition, they may be useful in the prevention or treatment of various diseases. Although bee products contain substances that may cause allergies, people may still be able to benefit from the antiallergic action of bee products as demonstrated above. It is important to highlight the complexity of this issue. One more time the importance of personal medicine, that it’s based on the individual, must be considered.
References:
An overview about apitherapy and its clinical applications; Wilson Antonio Weis, Nicolas Ripari, Fernanda Lopes Conte, Mariana da Silva Honorio, Arthur Alves Sartori, Ramon Hage Matucci, Jos´e Maurício Sforcin – Phytomedicine Plus 2 (2022) 100239;
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phyplu.2022.100239
