Bee stings: benefits for the body
Most people have a negative attitude towards bee stings, which is not surprising when you consider the painful sensations not only during the process itself, but also within a few days after it. However, bee venom has many positive properties, so it is used more and more often in traditional and alternative medicine. What problems apitherapy helps and what contraindications this procedure has - this will be discussed in this article.
The chemical composition of bee venom
Bee venom is a thick, transparent substance with a characteristic honey aroma and a bitter, burning flavor. The chemical composition of the substance is very rich and includes dozens of constituent vitamins and minerals, but three groups of constituent components are most valued. The first of these includes proteins with enzymatic properties, in particular phospholipase, which contains as much as 14% in poison, as well as acid phosphatase and hyaluronidase, in an amount of 1-3% of the total volume of the substance.
The second group is represented by toxic polypeptides: melitin (the main component of bee venom), apamine, tertiapine, sekapin, MSD peptide. The minor components of bee venom include histamine-containing tetra- and penta peptides (for example, procamine). The third group includes biogenic amines, in particular histamine, dopamine, norepinephrine, although the latter are in small quantities.
In addition, relatively recently, α-glucosidase, p-galactosidase, phosphomonoesterase and some other enzymes were found in bee venom, but in any case, it is worth considering the direct dependence of the composition of the poison on the method of its production: by electrical stimulation or extraction from poisonous insect vesicles .
Did you know? Bees lift 30–40 times their own weight, which is very similar to ants.
When using the latter option, a slight contamination of the poison is possible, which leads to a change in its chemical composition. Bee growth can lead to the same consequences: for example, melittin is produced most on the 10th day of life, and histamine - on the 35th or 40th.
Simply put, bee venom is indeed a very complex substance, with a wide variety of enzymes, protein compounds, amines (choline and histamine), acids and volatile oils that evaporate when the toxic substances dry out.
The benefits and harms of a bee sting
Even children are sure to know what the harm from a bee sting is, because the first thing a person pays attention to is a sharp, burning pain and swelling at the site of the bite. For allergy sufferers, the consequences can be even more serious, up to the onset of anaphylactic shock. However, such a result is more often characteristic of a mass attack of insects, but the dosed effect of the poison may even be useful.
- First of all, we are talking about the following properties:
- improving fat metabolism within the body, thereby reducing the intensity of the accumulation of cholesterol in the blood;
- increase the maximum positive effect of enzymes and hormones;
- stimulation of the mutual effects of the adrenal gland and the pituitary gland;
- acceleration of regeneration processes in the bone tissue, due to which the rehabilitation period after the received fractures is reduced, and the unpleasant symptoms of the injury seem less noticeable;
- pronounced anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect;
- antispasmodic and vasodilating action (drugs based on bee venom are often given even to children to relieve abdominal pain);
- decrease in body temperature;
- a positive effect on the functioning of the central nervous system (among other things, it effectively restores the myelin sheath of the nerve fiber, thereby optimizing the transmission of the nerve impulse between separate parts of the brain);
- increase the body's immune forces;
- antiarrhythmic effects and stimulation of normal heart function;
- improving sexual function;
- improving hearing, memory and vision;
- removing excess salts from the body.
In short, with the correct use of apitherapy based on bee venom, the whole organism can be well healed, paying attention to any part of it. This fact has long been accepted by traditional and alternative medicine, so the corresponding drugs can be found both in ordinary pharmacies and on the shelves of folk healers.
Important! Before starting treatment with bee venom, it is worth taking a test for possible allergic reactions, because even in the absence of direct contraindications there is a high probability of intolerance to the described substance.
The use of bees in traditional medicine
Bee venom treatment is a relatively new area in official medicine, so it has not yet become widespread. However, such practices can already be found in the field of oncology, cardiology, rheumatology, phlebology, allergology, neurology, dermatology, ophthalmology, and even in the treatment of potency in men . Of course, in each of these cases there are specific features of the application of the bee product, and its action is aimed at different systems and organs of the human body.
Oncology
The composition of the toxic substance of bee venom contains the substance melittin, which is a molecule that can destroy individual cells of the tissues of the human body. At the same time, its toxicity is not as high as that of other, more popular medications with a similar effect, therefore, in the fight against malignant neoplasms (tumors), more and more studies are conducted with the participation of bee venom .
All the forces of scientists are focused on allowing melittin to destroy only cancer cells, without harming neighboring healthy ones. Despite the fact that a specific treatment regimen for cancer using apitoxins has not yet been developed, it is already known that they significantly slow down the growth of tumors, preventing the further development of the disease.
You will be interested to read why bees die after a bite.
Cardiology
In the field of cardiology, bee venom is highly effective in the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension), and also normalizes blood cholesterol, which is an excellent prevention of atherosclerosis. The decrease in pressure under the influence of bee venom is explained by the influence of histamine contained in apitoxin, which contributes to the expansion of blood vessels.
Phlebology
From the point of view of phlebology, bee venom will be useful in the treatment of varicose veins, since getting into the bloodstream, the peptides contained in it contribute to the expansion of capillaries and improve blood flow strength . Another useful component called “gerutin” promotes the resorption of blood clots that have already formed, dilutes the blood and improves its passage through veins and small vessels.
With regular treatment with bee stings, after just a few procedures, a decrease in leg pain, a decrease in swelling and the absence of new nodes can be noted. Ointment and other medicines based on bee venom can be purchased at pharmacies without problems today.
Read also about effective methods to eliminate swelling or swelling after a bee sting.
Rheumatology
Apitherapy in the fight against rheumatism can achieve greater results than in all previous cases, however, the mechanism of action of apitoxin is still not fully understood. The most popular version of scientists includes its effect on the human central nervous system, which subsequently plays a major role in healing.
This theory is also confirmed by a study conducted in 1912, in which 660 people suffering from rheumatism took part (2/3 of them were severe). According to the results announced by the Prague doctor Rudolf Terce, only 17 patients did not improve after being treated with bee venom, and all the rest experienced almost complete healing.
Allergology
Despite the fact that bee venom is a strong allergen, it can be successfully used in the treatment of bronchial asthma. The main requirement is the use of minimum doses of the substance that should be administered to patients daily.
Typically, a bee sting falls on the area between the shoulder blades and in the area of the clavicle, and given that suffocation attacks are more characteristic for nighttime, the apitherapy procedure should be performed 2-3 hours before bedtime. In this case, bee venom will destroy the connection between pathological reflexes and the asthmatic attack itself, at the same time exerting an antispasmodic effect, minimizing the strength of the spasm.
Neurology
Neuropathologists can prescribe apitherapy in the treatment of various kinds of neuralgia and osteochondrosis, which is largely due to the analgesic effect of the poison. After the first sessions, the patient experiences significant relief, and with regular visits to the office with bees, a remission of the disease can be achieved.
Important! In the fight against diseases of the nervous system, acupuncture treatment is often prescribed, that is, a bee sting will be useful only if it falls on a specific point on the human body. Therefore, self-medication is extremely undesirable.
Dermatology
A characteristic area of use of bee venom in the field of dermatology is the treatment of psoriasis. The high efficiency of the use of a substance can be explained by its ability to activate the body's defenses through a direct effect on different systems and individual organs .
Back in the middle of the last century, apitoxin began to be used for electrophoresis during the treatment of psoriatic manifestations, but even simple bee stings activate regenerative processes in the skin, so in some cases they are effective for cosmetic purposes to remove fresh scars and scars.
Ophthalmology
In ophthalmology, the described substance is highly effective in the treatment of inflammatory eye diseases. With proper use, the poison will help get rid of keratitis, conjunctivitis, iritis, iridocyclitis and other similar ailments, the main thing is that the entire treatment process takes place under the strict supervision of a doctor.
We advise you to read what to do with a bee sting.
Treatment of potency in men
A competent appitherapist knows exactly how to plant a bee correctly and where to get the most positive result from its bite. However, even this fact stops many men who want to get rid of problems with potency.
The fact is that in the treatment of sexual dysfunction, an insect bite should fall on the area of the skin between the anus and the scrotum, and if at the initial stages of treatment the bees are only 1 or 2, then in the absence of undesirable consequences, their number can increase to 5 or more in one procedure. In some cases, up to 18 insects are used per day, and with a regular procedure (albeit unpleasant), it is often possible to achieve a full return to a healthy state.
Contraindications
Given the toxicity of bee venom, it is not surprising that apitherapy with its use has contraindications. First of all, they concern people with individual intolerance to the substance and a tendency to allergic reactions, which may well lead to the development of anaphylactic shock and death. In addition, you should not use this method of treatment for people suffering from chronic diabetes, tuberculosis, pathologies of the liver, kidneys and pancreas .
If, after the first bite of an insect, severe redness and swelling of the skin is observed, and the body temperature begins to rise above acceptable values - treatment with this method is definitely not suitable for you and you should look for other ways to eliminate unpleasant symptoms and the cause of the disease itself.
Did you know? In search of pollen, one bee flies around 12 hectares of territory per day, but at the same time brings to the hive no more than 200 g in 10 flights.
Allergic reaction to a bite, first aid
Timely help with intoxication of the body with bee venom may well save the life of the victim, so it is so important to recognize the signs of deterioration in time and provide first aid. The main symptoms of intoxication in this case will be:
- chills (sometimes a person begins to shake);
- severe headache and dizziness;
- the appearance of discomfort in the chest area and a rapid heartbeat;
- nausea, vomiting;
- short-term loss of consciousness.
To help the victim of insect bites, you must immediately isolate him from them, being careful not to suffer: if there is a smell of alcohol or oil products (for example, gasoline), it is better not to approach the bees, otherwise they may well switch to a new object.
When reaching the victim, first of all, it is important to remove the sting, which even after separation from the bee is capable of poisoning the body with toxins for some time. You can do this either with tweezers or simply with long nails, trying not to push the bag of poison even deeper.
Read also about first aid for a wasp sting at home.
As soon as the sting is outside, the site of the bite is treated with drugs that contribute to the partial destruction of toxic substances. Such funds include ammonia, iodine and alcohol-containing tinctures (any antiseptic composition). If there was no suitable medication, then you can use the juice of onions or garlic, cut into halves of vegetables and fruits: tomato, cucumber, apple.
After this, a clean handkerchief dipped in cold water should be applied to the lesion. Cold will help reduce pain and partially remove swelling from the bite. Performing these actions, you should give the victim more to drink, so that a clean liquid removes toxins from the body faster.
Given the possible consequences of improper handling of bees, treatment with the help of their poison should be entrusted to professionals, and then there should not be any negative consequences from such a procedure. An apitherapist will not only determine your tendency to allergic reactions and the possibility of apitherapy, but also will be able to choose the most effective treatment regimen so that a natural toxic substance brings maximum benefit.
