Source: Kimberly Moore, The Wild Bee, New Zealand

Apitherapy is the use of products from the bee hive to heal a variety of medical conditions and promote health. The products that are used include raw honey, pollen, propolis, beeswax, royal jelly and bee venom.

Raw Honey contains all the essential minerals for sustaining life. The stronger and darker honeys have a richer mineral content. Nutrients in honey include Vitamins A, B-complex, C, D, E, and K, beta-carotene, minerals, and enzymes.

• Be prepared for the cold and flu season by boosting the body's natural disease-fighting ability with honey. Honey treats respiratory complaints by soothing inflamed lungs and airways; it eases sore throats, and heals chapped lips. To soothe sore muscles, mix 2 tablespoons in bath water.

• Honey calms the mind, promotes rejuvenating sleep, and strengthens those weakened by illness or stress. In fact, Blue Borage has been used in folklore to treat stress and fatigue and is called “a honey to strengthen the heart.”

• Honey is a natural antioxidant source. Researchers at the University of California, Davis, asked volunteers to consume about four tablespoons of honey daily for one month. Blood samples showed a direct link between honey consumption and levels of disease-fighting antioxidants in the bloodstream. The researchers concluded that "consuming honey on a daily basis can help protect individuals from oxidative stress caused by free radicals, which contribute to heart disease and other conditions." The antioxidants in honey reduce the risk of many diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular disease, by disarming disease-causing free radicals in the body.

• Honey is an excellent source of carbohydrate for the athlete. It provides a quick source of energy and enhances physical stamina. Honey is one of the most effective forms of carbs to ingest just prior to exercise. The fructose and glucose are absorbed directly into the blood and are completely digestible.

• Honey has been shown to have remarkably potent antibiotic properties. Researchers have discovered that it naturally produces hydrogen peroxide, a substance capable of killing infection-causing bacteria. Additional agents in honey appear to reduce inflammation and speed the repair of damaged tissue while promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria.

• Scientists recently found that psoriasis sufferers may benefit from applications of a mixture of honey, beeswax and olive oil. In a study of people suffering from psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions, 60 percent showed significant improvement when treated with the honey-based mixture

• Honey’s anti-fungal properties provide relief for many common infections. Honey is an effective topical treatment for ringworm, athlete's foot and yeast infections and appears to be comparable to many over-the-counter anti-fungal preparations.

• Honey is a wonderful natural cosmetic. Apply to a clean face for 20 minutes, and the honey will soften the skin and give it a younger, vibrant look by exfoliating the pores and renewing the skin cells. Honey is a humectant, attracting and retaining moisture, and deep conditions clean hair when left on for 20 minutes.

Bee Pollen has been called the “Ambrosia of the Gods” and is considered to be a complete food, containing 20% complete protein, all the water-soluble vitamins, a rich supply of minerals and trace elements, enzymes and coenzymes. Bee Pollen is known to increase energy and stamina, improve concentration and memory, ease arteriosclerosis, boost the immune system and accelerate convalescence after illness, ease allergy and asthma symptoms, improve digestion, improve muscular vigor, and correct skin blemishes including darkening and wrinkling.

Propolis: The most sterile place in nature is the bee hive. Propolis is the substance responsible for neutralizing any bacteria, fungi or virus which enters the hive. One of the most powerful antibiotics found in nature, it is a complex blend of waxes, resins, balsams, oils and a small amount of pollen.

Beeswax is the base of many creams, balms, salves, and lotions. Use organic beeswax to make your own truly natural cosmetics and soaps. Organic beeswax candles burn pure and clean without the carcinogenic petroleum derivatives found in paraffin candles. Organic beeswax candles act as ionizers, cleaning the house of pollution. Use in a healthy house as a wood finish, wax, leather conditioner, and water proofer.

Royal Jelly is a milky white food made by worker bees. It transforms an ordinary female bee into a Queen, increases her life span of three months to over five years and enables her to produce twice her own weight in eggs each day. Royal jelly provides a rich and natural source of the B complex vitamins. Many other nutrients, trace minerals and amino acids are found in Royal Jelly.

Bee Venom is used in various inflammatory conditions such as tendonitis, bursitis, and arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Mixed in honey, which promotes the mobility of joint tissue, bee venom can provide relief orally or applied as a cream. There are some reports that suggest that it may be useful in the treatment of infectious, auto-immune, cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, neuropathic pain and other chronic pain conditions. Bee venom therapy is used in MS and post-herpetic neuralgia treatment.

The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended for the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, or cure of any illness or disease. Some people may have allergic reaction to bee products. For medical advice, you should always consult your physician. Honey should not be fed to infants under one year old.