The term Apis – meaning “ Bee” comes from the Latin. Hence the name Bee Venom Therapy (BVT).

Apitherapy, or bee therapy, is the use of products of the common honeybee for therapeutic purposes, which involves the medicinal use of bee stings, the venom to reduce inflammation and boost the body's immune system. These products are said to have medicinal effects and effective against a wide range of ailments, from arthritis and chronic pain to multiple sclerosis and cancer.

Apitherapy or bee therapy is the medicinal use of honeybee products, including honey, pollen, propolis, royal jelly and bee venom.

Bee sting venom is known to be rich source of enzymes, peptides, and biogenic amines. There are at least 18 active components in the venom, which have pharmaceutical properties including melitten, apamin, adolapin, hyaluronidase, dopamine, serotonin, and mast cell degranulating protein to mention a few. It has a strong anti-inflammatory and pain relieving effects, while other enhance nerve condition, soften scar tissue and improve one's mood and immune system. The exact mechanism of how bee venom works is not entirely known yet.

Bee pollen:
Bee Pollen is typically marketed as an energy-boosting nutritional supplement as it contains vitamins, minerals, and protein, similar to ordinary foods. IT is believed that it is beneficial in treating seasonal allergies.

Raw honey:
It is a quick source of energy like sugar and a natural storehouse of B vitamins and various minerals. It has mild antibacterial and antibiotic properties, and it can help soothe sore throats. This should be taken raw rather than processed. It helps to suppress bacterial growth in open wounds.

Jelly:
Royal jelly is a milky white substance produced in the salivary glands of worker bees as a food source for the queen bee that helps extends the queen's life and enhances her fertility.

Royal jelly is a rich source of other ingredients that include Glucids (glucose and fructose),Lipids, Minerals, Vitamins, Acetylcholine, Estrogen, Progesterone, and Testosterone.

This jelly has beneficial effects on a variety of medical problems, including fatigue, infertility, asthma, and lack of appetite. It helps lowering cholesterol levels in the blood, Prostate problems in men and reduces Blood pressure. It is also used as an ingredient in women's cosmetics especially, wrinkle creams.

Propolis:
Also called "bee glue” is a sticky resin that seeps from the buds of certain trees and oozes from the bark of others. Worker bees collect it, add their salivary secretions to it, and use it to coat the inside of the hive. Propolis has been shown to contain antibacterial compounds and can be effective as a salve for cuts and bruises. It is also a source of flavonoids, potent antioxidants that can help prevent cell damage caused by free radicals.

Bee Venom:
The bee sting venom therapy is painful but has benefits. It is administered either by needle or by actual bee sting. The bees are typically placed close to the joint, muscle, or other body part that needs treatment. Studies show that it is more powerful than natural steroids that act as an anti-inflammatory. The bee venom is used in treating conditions like the following:

Immune system problems, such as arthritis and multiple sclerosis (MS)
Cardiovascular disease, hypertension, arrhythmias, arteriosclerosis, and varicose veins
Endocrine disorders, like premenstrual syndrome, menstrual cramps, irregular periods, and decreased blood glucose levels
Infections, like herpes simplex 1 and 2, warts, mastitis, and laryngitis
Psychological disturbances, such as depression or mood swings
Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, bursitis and "tennis elbow" lupus, ankylosing spondylitis, ulcerative colitis, asthma,
Skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, corns, warts and topical ulcers scleroderma,
Acute and chronic injuries bursitis, tendonitis, sprain/strain, post MVA, lumbago, pack pain, fibromyalgia etc.
Scar tissue (scar tissue from previous surgeries, adhesions, keloids, etc.
Neurological disease, neuritis, sciatica, post herpetic neuralgia etc.

For a Bee sting venom treatment it is always essential that an allergy test is done before a course or a trained practitioner starts treatment. Do not try to treat on your own without careful supervision and practice. There may be a discomfort like inflammation, stiffness, soreness, or itching but your practitioner will place an ice pack on the affected areas to reduce symptoms.

The other type of apitherapy products like raw honey and propolis are available in health-food stores and you can use them without consulting anyone. While Bee pollen and royal jelly are available over-the-counter in capsules, powders, creams, and lotions for oral or topical use. Please consult your practitioner before you try any of these, as they may be an allergic reaction if you are sensitive. The dosage levels can be informed to one by a practitioner only.

Practitioner:

There are no licensing or credentialing organizations for apitherapists (apitherapy practitioners). It is always advised to consult some friends and relatives or someone already taking treatment and know about the best practitioner whom you can trust and visit.

There have been few controlled scientific studies proving the value of bee venom, bee pollen, raw honey, royal jelly, or propolis, but there are many anecdotal reports about their health benefits. However, Apitherapy is considered effective in the following diseases.

Skin: used extensively for treatment of warts, corns, ulcers, eczema, wounds and psoriasis.
Endocrine: menstrual cramp, premenstrual syndrome (pms), irregular periods and decreased blood sugar.
Psychological: mood swings and general depression
Orthopedic conditions: a stimulant for early bone healing.
Sensory diseases: vision problems like glaucoma, macular degeneration, iritis, diplopia (two objects seen when actually there exists only one) and hearing loss.
Rheumatic diseases: rheumatoid arthritis, osteo-arthritis, spondylitis, tennis elbow, bursitis (inflammation of bursa which is a fibrous sac lined with synovial membrane and containing a small quantity of synovial fluid) psoriatic arthritis etc.
Infections and cardio-vascular diseases

The bee pollen and other bee products health shakes, juices etc are available and these drinks can also cause dangerous reactions if one is allergic to them, so be sure what you drink before you consume something.

Children or elders can take children younger than one year old should never be given raw honey, as bacteria would harm them however processed honey. Elders with problems like, Heart disease, hypertension, tuberculosis, diabetes, problems with Immune system, should avoid apitherapy.

If a person is allergic to honey they should never try any of the bee products as in many cases allergies can also be life threatening.