BEE VENOM PRODUCTS

by Mih¨¢ly Simics

Excerpts from Apis Venenum Purum - Pure Honeybee Venom

Updated: January 05, 2005.

Copyright © 1999-2005 by Mih¨¢ly Simics. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author.

DISCLAIMER
The venom of the honeybee may cause in allergic reaction of some individuals. Information on the products listed herein is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be interpreted or used for self diagnosis or self medication. In any case, seek the advise of a licensed health practitioner who is qualified to make such diagnoses and recommendations for treatment.

Warning: Exposure to bee venom may cause asthma and/or a life threatening allergic reaction.

CONTRAINDICATIONS
Bee venom hypersensitivity, pregnancy, congenital heart diseases, cardiovascular conditions, hematological disorders, atherosclerosis, purulent infections, hepatitis, nephritis, tuberculosis, insulin dependent diabetes, fever, psychosis, venereal diseases, pre and post surgery, malicious tumours, liver and kidney diseases, use with Adrenocortical Steroids and/or Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), use with Beta-Blockers, depression, and use under age 12 (Simics, M. 1994).

BEE VENOM
Bee venom is synthesized in the venom glands of worker and queen bees and stored in their venom sacs. During the stinging process it is expressed through the sting apparatus. Bees use it in defence of the colony. The production of a potent bee venom requires good nectar, honey and pollen sources. Consequently, bees have more potent venom during the summer (Beck, 1935; Croft, 1988). Bees raised without pollen have little and less effective venom in their venom sacs. Most commonly, bee venom is collected by electrical shock stimulation. It is a colorless liquid that dries to a powder. The crystalized venom color ranges from white to brownish yellow. The darker coloration is the result of contamination of the venom and oxidation of its constituents (Piek, 1986). Pure Whole Dried and Whole Dried Bee Venom are most commonly used in drug preparations.

Pure Whole Dried Bee Venom

It is white in color, has a crystallized powdery appearance, is free of contaminants and is also known as Grade I. venom.

Whole Dried Bee Venom

The color of this venom is brownish yellow and may be contaminated with foreign materials. It is referred to as Grade II. venom.

PRODUCTS
Innovations of humankind make bee venom therapy more acceptable to the medical profession. As bee sting therapy is not viable in an office environment and cannot be standardized, new ways of administration were developed. The nature of the products includes creams, liniments, ointments, embrocations, liquids, tablets, capsules, honey-venom blends and drops (Simics, 1999). Therapists may choose the most suitable for the condition being treated and the characteristics of the patient.

Bee Venom Solution
Venom solution is prepared by reconstituting the dried venom into a suitable vehicle and sterilizing it. The quantity of bee venom in 1.0 ml of venom solution is expressed in the unit of Dried Venom Sac Equivalents (DVSE) which is considered to be a bee sting equivalent. The application of bee venom solution is the closest one can get to the effect of venom from live summer bees. Venom solution is packaged in amber or clear glass, rubber stoppered multi-dose vials.

Application
Bee venom solution is administered intracutaneously (between the epidermis and the dermis) by a licensed health practitioner in the dose of a DVSE or less per injection to imitate the effect of a bee sting. Depending on the concentration of the venom solution, the standard administration doses are 0.05 ml or 0.1 ml of venom solution per injection. This contains one DVSE of venom. Regular administration areas include local (in situ) pain points, nerve meridians, trigger points and acupuncture points (Steigerwaldt, et al.,1966; Forestier and Palmer, 1984; Kim, 1989; Klinghardt, 1990).

Applicable Treatment Methods

Apimesotherapy

Bee Venom Therapy, Injectable

Biopuncture

Homeoacupuncture

Homeosineatry

Neural Therapy (after Dr. Klinghardt)

Venom solutions prepared from Grade I. venom:

Venom solution prepared from Grade II. venom:

ELECTROPHORESIS AND ULTRASONOPHORESIS
Bee venom is often administered in an effective and painless way by using galvano electricity and ultrasound. These methods are known as a safe and effective means of absorption of medicinal substances. Electrophoresis also known as ionophoresis, moves particles between electrodes through a liquid or gel by the application of an electrical current. Ultrasonophoresis moves particles through a gel using vibration of an ultrasonic wave or sound with frequency ranges inaudible to humans.

Application
Tablets or liquid containing a specific amount of bee venom are dissolved in distilled water and applied directly to the affected area or mixed with a gel for similar use (Mladenov and Kazandjieva, 1965; Pochinkova, 1973; Serban, 1976; Kazior, 1987; Baltushkiavichius, et al.,1988; Potschinkova, 1992).

HOMEOPATHY AND HOMEOPUNCTURE
Homeopathy involves the administration of minute amounts of medicinal substances or remedies to stimulate the healing responses in the body. In homeopuncture, the remedy is applied by means of an acupuncture needle inserted into the acupuncture point following standard acupuncture principles and procedures in both cases only a minute amount of bee venom in a remedy like Apis mellifica, Apium Virus or Apis Venenum Purum is administered.

Application
In homeopathy, bee venom is administered orally in different potencies in the forms of drops, tablets, pellets and liquids under the direction of a homeopathic physician. In homeoacupuncture, two application methods are commonly used:the acupuncture needle is dipped into the remedy and inserted into the acupuncture point or a drop of remedy is applied to the skin at the acupuncture point and the needle is inserted through the remedy (Wijayakusuma, 1986; Giza, 1987).

BEE VENOM CREAMS AND OINTMENTS
Bee venom is mixed in a water-in-oil or oil-in-water base vehicle which may have some added ingredients to help soften the outer layer of skin, increase local blood circulation and cause mild abrasions to enhance the absorption of venom. This is a painless way to administer bee venom and can be carried out by the patient. Its efficacy is less than that of injectable venom solution.

Application
Bee venom creams are applied topically on the effected area or by electrophoresis (Mund-Hoym, 1982). Directions for use are provided by the manufacturer.

BEE VENOM IN HONEY BLENDS
This is a new product and delivery system for bee venom. Bee venom is blended into creamed honey in a homeopathic potency. Information provided on the efficacy of these products is based on the properties of individual venom constituents and/or on their combined effects. More research is needed to determine the efficacy of this product which offers relief to suffrers in a promising painless way.

Application
One possible application is to increase over a three to four week period the amount of blend from 1/4 teaspoon to one teaspoon daily. Dissolve the blend on the mouth. Do not drink liquids for 1/2 hours after taking the blend. Discontinue if adverse reactions develop. It should not be taken if the mouth or throat shows any signs of wound, bleeding gums or infection.

GLOSSARY
Apimesotherapy: The application of bee venom into local (in situ) pain points under mesotherapy principles.
Acupuncture Points: Specific sites on the body located under the skin and distributed over the Fourteen Meridians, Extraordinary Points and Ashi Points.
Acupuncture: Chinese treatment on inserting needles into specific points on the body to stimulate healing.
Apis Mellifica: Honeybee. Remedy made from the whole body of honeybee.
Apis Venenum Purum: Homeopathic remedy. New definition in homeopathy for Pure Honeybee Venom that is collected by electrical shock method and used in preparations in place of Apium Virus.
Apium Virus: Homeopathic definition of bee venom that is gathered from the venom gland (sac) of honey bees by removing their stingers.
Biopuncture: Therapy that uses low (micro) doses of complex biotherapeutics (herbs, homeopathic remedies, vitamins, and minerals) for injection administered i.c. or s.c. into local pain points, trigger points, joints or acupuncture points.
Dried Venom Sac Equivalent (DVSE): The classical and standard measurement of dried venom contents of a honeybee. It is equvalent to 0.1 mg of dried bee venom per venom sac. The latest research has indicated that an average venom sac contains about 40-50% more venom.
Embrocation: Lotion or liniment (liquid) like preparation that contains medicinal substances (herbs) for topical application.
Homeoacupuncture: The injection of a homeopathic remedy into acupuncture points.
Homeopathy: The use of small amounts of natural substance(s) to stimulate a natural healing response in the body.
Homeopuncture: A combination of homeopathy and acupuncture in which an acupuncture needle is dipped into a sterile single or combination remedy, or the remedy is being placed on the skin above a specific acupuncture point and the needle is inserted.
Homeosineatry: A therapy that uses intracutaneous or subcutaneous injections of a single homeopathic remedy on one (1) specific acupuncture point.
Neural Therapy: The intracutaneous or subcutaneous administration of 1% Procaine into local pain points, trigger points and specific acupuncture points.
Oil-in-Water: Aqueous (water soluble) cream of viscous emulsions with semi-solid consistency.
Potency: "Strength" of remedy.
Trigger Points: Tender spots.
Vehicles: A chemically neutral solid, liquid or semi-solid substance in which medicines are mixed or prepared.
Venom Sac: Its purpose is to store the venom of the bee. It is directly connected to the stinger through the channel.
Water-in-Oil: Oily cream that is made with white or yellow paraffin.

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