Apitherapy

As apitherapy (Latin apis bee and Greek θεραπεία therapeia serving, and caring for the sick ) the medical use of bee products, mainly propolis, bee venom, honey and the bees air is referred to, in part, is the use of beeswax ( see below) and taking pollen and royal jelly counted for apitherapy. However, pollen and royal jelly falling on mainly by a high nutrient content, but do not have a clearly demonstrable medical benefit.

History of Apitherapy

Previously apitherapy was known rather a byproduct of beekeepers work and especially among beekeepers. Today it is, especially in recent years, more and more become the focus of research and could relevance in the control of multidrug-resistant strains of bacteria as well as slow-healing wounds have.

Apitherapy in Germany

In Germany apitherapy was still largely unknown until in 1986 the Bamberg beekeepers Wilhelm Hemme in the study of Apimodia reports ( Apimondia is the world Bee Association ) " Apitherapy " came in Bee Institute of Stuttgart -Hohenheim to the concept. On October 17, 1986, through him, the German Apitherapy Association ( DAB), an association of friends of apitherapy founded, whose first president was also Hemme.

Thanks to the Internet and the continuous, annual meetings of the DAB in Passau am Inn, which was held in Germany Apitherapy rapid spread and trailers.

Areas of application

The ability of honey, bacteria - similar to an antibiotic - kill, but at the same time by unexplained effects to prevent the development of resistance, researchers and practitioners can hope to have an agent against multi-resistant strains of bacteria caused by antibiotic use in hospitals found.

Overall, however, the current data situation allows no clear conclusions on the therapeutic effectiveness of bee products.

Propolis

Propolis has a bactericidal and anti- viral. The resin shall additionally a thin film on the treated area. It can occur any incompatibilities; during frequent large-area contact may cause contact allergies.

Bee venom

There should be multiple sclerosis and arthritis patients who were able to significantly improve their disease by its own account by bee stings. Also there is in animal studies first indications of a possible effect on cancer cells, clear results, however, are not yet available.

Honey

The apitherapeutische application of honey goes beyond taking in neck complaints; Honey is used externally for example, local ( applied to the affected area ).

Honey contains antimicrobial substances, which are referred to as the inhibins. Sterilized honey can be applied directly to open wounds and burns. He has a slightly acidic pH and produced by its high sugar content a strong osmotic pressure. In a pilot study it was also effective against multidrug-resistant bacteria. The New Zealand Manuka honey has a particularly strong antibiotic effect by the element Methylglyocal.