Apitherapy is a term used to describe the use of bee venom to achieve various therapeutic effects. This practice has existed for many centuries with the first recorded use of this therapeutic agent being by ancient bee keepers. The discovery of the benefits of this venom was accidental when bee keepers who were suffering from chronic painful conditions such as arthritis realized that their symptoms were abating after being stung severally. Another use that is still applicable to date is bee venom therapy for Lyme disease.
Lyme disease is an infection that is caused by a bacterium known as Borrelia burgdoferi. It is rapidly spread from one person to another through tick bites. The signs and symptoms associated with this condition are many and affect almost all the body systems. These include, for example, insomnia, chronic fatigues, loss of short term memory, joint pains, menstrual disorders, reduced libido and dental infections among others.
There are no specific guidelines to guide the use of bee venom. Commonly, therapy is initiated at high doses and tapered over several months as the symptoms of an illness begin to resolve. Other practitioners do it in the reverse; starting at a low dose and increasing it gradually until therapeutic levels are attained. As far as the source of the therapeutic agent is concerned, two approaches can be used; exposing the client to the natural sting by a swarm of bees or injecting the commercially available product.
Although the exact mechanism of action of the agent remains largely unknown, research appears to suggest the effect may be due to the presence of potent peptides within it. One of the peptides is known as mellitin. This peptide can inhibit the reproduction ability of the Lyme bacterium even at every low doses. It also makes the bacterium vulnerable to the host immune system.
One may experience a number of side effects when the treatment is administered. The effects are similar to what would be experienced when one is subjected to the natural sting. They include itchiness, swelling and redness of the area where the injection is administered. Note that a number of people (about 5% of the population) mount an allergic response when the treatment is administered. Sensitivity testing will help determine if you fall in this category.
Conventionally, the infection is treated using antibiotics. Metronidazole, for example, is highly effective against the cystic stage when administered intravenously. The oral formulation is usually avoided due to the high risk of liver toxicity. An alternative drug that is less toxic is tinidazole. To increase the chances of eliminating the microorganism, the antibiotics are usually combined with proteolytic enzymes.
There are many brands of venom that are available commercially in different strengths. You need to consult a physician or allopathic on which of them to buy. The first dose should be administered by a registered practitioner so that they can test whether you have an allergy or not. Thereafter, you can inject yourself.
Bee venom remains an important form of treatment even though it has not been recognized as part of conventional practice. There is hope that the useful ingredients will be isolated soon and repackaged into drugs whose activities are more predictable. In the meantime, the general advice is that one should be cautious when using this product and always consult a physician when in doubt.
Lyme disease is an infection that is caused by a bacterium known as Borrelia burgdoferi. It is rapidly spread from one person to another through tick bites. The signs and symptoms associated with this condition are many and affect almost all the body systems. These include, for example, insomnia, chronic fatigues, loss of short term memory, joint pains, menstrual disorders, reduced libido and dental infections among others.
There are no specific guidelines to guide the use of bee venom. Commonly, therapy is initiated at high doses and tapered over several months as the symptoms of an illness begin to resolve. Other practitioners do it in the reverse; starting at a low dose and increasing it gradually until therapeutic levels are attained. As far as the source of the therapeutic agent is concerned, two approaches can be used; exposing the client to the natural sting by a swarm of bees or injecting the commercially available product.
Although the exact mechanism of action of the agent remains largely unknown, research appears to suggest the effect may be due to the presence of potent peptides within it. One of the peptides is known as mellitin. This peptide can inhibit the reproduction ability of the Lyme bacterium even at every low doses. It also makes the bacterium vulnerable to the host immune system.
One may experience a number of side effects when the treatment is administered. The effects are similar to what would be experienced when one is subjected to the natural sting. They include itchiness, swelling and redness of the area where the injection is administered. Note that a number of people (about 5% of the population) mount an allergic response when the treatment is administered. Sensitivity testing will help determine if you fall in this category.
Conventionally, the infection is treated using antibiotics. Metronidazole, for example, is highly effective against the cystic stage when administered intravenously. The oral formulation is usually avoided due to the high risk of liver toxicity. An alternative drug that is less toxic is tinidazole. To increase the chances of eliminating the microorganism, the antibiotics are usually combined with proteolytic enzymes.
There are many brands of venom that are available commercially in different strengths. You need to consult a physician or allopathic on which of them to buy. The first dose should be administered by a registered practitioner so that they can test whether you have an allergy or not. Thereafter, you can inject yourself.
Bee venom remains an important form of treatment even though it has not been recognized as part of conventional practice. There is hope that the useful ingredients will be isolated soon and repackaged into drugs whose activities are more predictable. In the meantime, the general advice is that one should be cautious when using this product and always consult a physician when in doubt.
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