Apitherapy Helps Woman with Rare Genetic Disorder

The Butterfly Girl
Brenda Duran, North County Times (USA), 7/30/06

Rays of late-morning sunshine filter through the white miniblinds of Cristina Perez's window and illuminate the vivid patchwork of purple and red sores that cover her pale, 4-foot, 10-inch body.

Bending slowly forward on a padded table, Cristina, 23, flinches in pain as she unwinds the rolls of white gauze that keep her fragile skin from falling off…

She knows this hour of agony soon will be over, this constant reminder of the deadly disease that has haunted her since birth -- Epidermolysis Bullosa…

The rare, incurable genetic skin disorder known as EB affects 12,000 people in the United States and causes severe blistering inside and outside the body, making the epidermis fragile enough to fall off with a simple rub…

After years of trying all kinds of antibiotic creams, her back, the most affected part of her body, has become the latest guinea pig for healing potions, the one place she spends the most time trying to heal, she said.

She uses such natural remedies as "Egyptian Magic," a cream of olive oil and bee pollen, and Manuka honey, a speciality from Switzerland that resembles caramel.

The two are slathered on Cristina's back when she changes her bandages every other day. It is the first time in her life she said she has seen positive results.

To prove it, she has featured a "wound photo diary" on her Web site.

Bee Venom Toxicity Limited by Mast Cells

Stanford Snake Venom Study Shows That Certain Cells May Eliminate Poison
Stanford School of Medicine, 7/27/2006

Death by snakebite is horrible. The immediate pain of the bite is followed by swelling, bruising and weakness, then sweating or chills, with numbness, nausea, blurred vision and possibly convulsions before it's all over. Such misery is produced by a veritable witches' brew of toxins in snake venom.

It's long been thought that the body's own immune system, rather than reducing the symptoms, may make things worse. But now researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have shown that the immune system really does side with the victim, at least in four kinds of venom that were used in their experiments. Their findings will be published in the July 28 issue of Science.

Venom from three species of poisonous snakes and one species of honeybee were studied by a group led by Stephen Galli, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Pathology. Using mice, they analyzed how mast cells, a vital part of the immune system in mammals, reacted to the various venoms. The net effect of the mast cell response to the four venoms "is to enhance resistance to the toxicity and reduce mortality induced by the venom," said Galli, the paper's senior author…

Testing the mast cell response even further, they also experimented with the venom from honeybees, with the same positive result. "The mast cells significantly limit not only the toxicity, but also the mortality associated with the venom," said Galli…

Medical-Grade Honey Now a Reality

Researchers Taste Success With Honey Cure
By Jennifer Harper, The Washington Times (USA), 7/29/2006

"In hospitals today we are faced with germs which are resistant to almost all the current antibiotics," said Dr. Arne Simon, an oncologist with the Children's Hospital at the University of Bonn. "As a result, the medical use of honey is becoming attractive again for the treatment of wounds."…

With cooperation from specialists in a dozen German hospitals, Dr. Simon is planning a large-scale study on honey's curative effects. He has already charted the success of traditional honey poultices on troublesome surgical wounds and skin conditions…

None of this has escaped the commercial sector. "Medical-grade honey" is now a reality.

MediHoney -- sterile, prepackaged applications of honey -- is now manufactured by Australia's Capilano Honey to treat stubborn surgical wounds, oral infections and skin conditions. New Zealand's Comvita annually sells $30 million worth of wound dressings that combine "medical-grade active manuka honey" -- made from a local plant -- and seaweed fibers.

British-based Medlock Medical and Advancis Medical also offer sterile honey dressings and creams, noting the only potential caution for patients is "known allergy to bee venom."

Will Americans have access? Perhaps. According to a recent report from CNN, MediHoney has applied for approval from the Food and Drug Administration and expects an answer late this year -- and a potential gateway into our annual $2.8 billion "wound care market."

German Hospital Uses Honey to Treat Wounds

Honey Often More Effective Than Antibiotics
Scientist Live, 7/28/06

For several years now Bonn pediatricians have been pioneering the use in Germany of medihoney in treating wounds. Medihoney bears the CE seal for medical products; its quality is regularly tested. The success is astonishing: “Dead tissue is rejected faster, and the wounds heals more rapidly,” Kai Sofka, wound specialist at the University Children’s Clinic, emphasises.

“What is more, changing dressings is less painful, since the poultices are easier to remove without damaging the newly formed layers of skin.”

Some wounds often smell unpleasant – an enormous strain on the patient. Yet honey helps here too by reducing the smell. “Even wounds which consistently refused to heal for years can, in our experience, be brought under control with medihoney – and this frequently happens within a few weeks,” Kai Sofka says...

New Antioxidant Features Propolis, Pomegranate Seed Flour

Beehive Botanicals Introduces New Antioxidant Supplement Propolpom(TM)

Hayward, WI — Beehive Botanicals is pleased to introduce PropolPom™, a new super-antioxidant formula like no other. PROPOL2000™ combined with pomegranate seed flour results in a supplement that yields 44 times the antioxidant value of fresh blueberries. (PropolPom™ tested at 107,700 ORAC units per 100 grams compared with blueberries at 2,400.)

PropolPom™ is available in capsules or bulk powder for manufacturing. Beehive Botanicals offers custom-blending in its cGMP (Certified Good Manufacturing Practices) environment.

Through research and the long road of experience, the “Propolis Experts” at Beehive Botanicals have developed a proprietary process that retains the freshness of propolis without sacrificing purity.

PROPOL2000™ is lab-tested and certified to contain a minimum of 8% bioflavonoids.

To learn more, contact a Beehive Botanicals Sales Associate at 1-800-BEEHIVE or 715-634-4274.

Venom Claimed to Cure Arthritis

Pete Lemley’s Cure for Arthritis
South Dakota Magazine (USA)

Katie wrote a post yesterday about Pete Lemley, the old Badlands rancher who built the dinosaur that stands between Scenic and Rapid City.

When Pete was himself a dinosaur, he suffered greatly from arthritis. One day, while shutting a gate, a bumblebee stung his arthritic knuckles. They swelled for a day, but in the morning the swelling was down and the arthritis was gone. Convinced that the bee venom had cured him, Pete scraped the flesh on his arm and applied bee’s venom over a two-month period. He never complained about arthritis again, according to his daughter, Maggie Warren, in her book titled “The Badlands Fox.”

Antioxidative Capacity of Bee-Collected Pollen ‘Very High’

Antioxidative Properties of Bee Pollen in Selected Plant Species
Food Chemistry, Volume 100, Issue 1 , 2007, Pages 237-240

Abstract: Phenolic constituents (total phenols, phenylpropanoids, flavonols and anthocyanins) and antioxidant ability were determined in bee pollen of 12 plant species. Antioxidant ability was measured as total antioxidant activity, radical-scavenging activity and activity against free hydroxyl radical. Great variability of phenolic contents was observed in the pollen of investigated species. Total antioxidant activity differed considerably (0.8–86.4% inhibition of lipid peroxidation), however, in most of the examined pollens, it was high and corresponded with the phenylpropanoid level…

In most of the investigated plant species, antioxidative capacity of bee pollen was very high.

Honey Has Strong Antioxidative, Antibacterial Activities

Characterization of Honey from Different Floral Sources. Its Functional Properties and Effects of Honey Species on Storage of Meat
Food Chemistry, Volume 97, Issue 2 , July 2006, Pages 256-262

Abstract: The antioxidative effects of honey species and their related products were evaluated using a lipid peroxidation model system. The antioxidant activities of honey species gradually decreased with passage of time…

From the results of the bacterial test on storage of meat and muscle, each honey exhibited the inhibition of bacterial growth. In particular, propolis and royal jelly exhibited the strongest inhibitory effects against bacterial growth. This suggests that honey species from different floral sources possess strong antioxidative and antibacterial activities and are scavengers of active oxygen species.

Propolis Extract May Alter Labeling of Plasma Proteins

A Propolis Extract and the Labeling of Blood Constituents with Technetium-99m
Acta Biol Hung, 2006 Jun;57(2):191-200

Since ancient times propolis has been employed for many human purposes because to their favourable properties. Blood constituents labeled with technetium-99m (99mTc) have been used in nuclear medicine procedures. Some authors have reported that synthetic or natural drugs can interfere with the labeling of blood constituents with 99mTc. The aim of this work was to evaluate the action of a propolis extract on the labeling of blood elements with 99mTc…

Results suggest that at high concentration the constituents of this extract could alter the labeling of plasma proteins competing with same binding sites of the 99mTc on the plasma proteins or acting as antioxidant compounds.

China: 3 Arrested in Scam Selling Fake Bee Venom

Xu Zhongyan and Dong Zhen, Shanghai Daily (China), 7/22/2006

HONGKOU District Police arrested three suspects on charges they earned 410,000 yuan (US$51,360) in a fake bee venom scam.

The three were arrested in Guangzhou early this month, said police, who detailed one of three cases.

A man, surnamed Wang, a 60-year-old experienced doctor, told police he was cheated by three men who pretended to be bee venom dealers.

Wang allegedly told the police that he paid 230,000 yuan for a bottle of fake bee venom.

Bee venom is a precious natural material used in some Chinese herbal medicines…

Bee Venom Enzyme Helps Fight Malaria

Transgenic Mosquitoes Enlisted in Fight Against Malaria
Mario Osava, Inter Press Service, 7/20/2006

RIO DE JANEIRO, Jul 20 (Tierramérica) - Brazil's René Rachou Research Centre has genetically modified a mosquito to eliminate its ability to transmit the parasite that causes malaria.

If this mosquito can reproduce in nature, and replace the original disease-carrying mosquito, it would help control a disease that affects 300 to 500 million people each year -- 90 percent in Africa -- and claiming one million lives annually.

But it is still a long way off, "at least 10 years," scientist Luciano Andrade Moreira told Tierramérica. He coordinates the research that began in 2003 at the Rachou Center, of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, in Belo Horizonte, capital of the eastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais.

The genetic modification of the mosquito involves introducing into its genes a protein that produces an enzyme to block the malaria parasite. Five years ago, U.S. researchers discovered the enzyme in bee venom. Its function is to prevent the parasite from leaving the insect's intestine…

Hawaiian Entrepreneurs Market Skin Cream Containing Honey, Beeswax, Propolis, Bee Pollen

Honey Girl Relies on Busy Bees
By Nadine Kam, Star-Bulletin, 7/20/2006

She started recommending the Maxwells' cream to her patients, and eventually partnered with the Maxwells to market it more widely. The result is Honey Girl Organics, with products sold through the company's Web site and a handful of outlets.

Head-to-toe care is available in six products, from a foot balm to face and eye cream, and a jar of "Super Skin Food" featuring royal jelly and vitamin E to nourish body parts prone to cracking and roughness.

The creams utilize extra-virgin olive oil, purified waters and essential oils, with just a touch of honey, so you won't have to worry about attracting those other six-legged busybodies, ants. Because the creams also contain organic beeswax infused with propolis and bee pollen, they might have a few dark specks, which Sirlin says is nothing to worry about. The specks are remnants of the propolis, which she describes as a resinlike paste gathered by bees.

"It has antiseptic properties to ensure a germ-free environment for the bees. They bring it back and mix it with beeswax to seal the hive entrance," she said…

Honey Prevents Bacterial Growth, Promotes Healing

Honey's Health Buzz
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (USA), 7/19/06

Honey is more than a sweetener. The natural carbohydrate contains antioxidants, such as vitamin E, vitamin C and cancer-preventing compounds. The darker the honey, the more antioxidant content, so dark buckwheat honey contains the most value. And it has benefits beyond its value as a food. You can use it to treat wounds. It reduces swelling, prevents bacterial growth and promotes healing. Organic raw honey that has not been pasteurized, clarified or filtered is best. Children under age 1 should not eat honey because of the risk of food poisoning. One tablespoon equals 64 calories.

Honey is a Natural Sedative

Learn to Beat Stress
Alan Hayes, Central Coast Express, 7/19/2006

A teaspoon of honey at bedtime is also a natural sedative it is very nutritious and contains vitamins B and C, iron, magnesium, calcium, sodium, silica and potassium and the sugars in honey stimulate serotonin production which induces natural relaxation.

World’s Most Expensive Honey High in Antioxidants

Sidr Honey
By Nicole Weston, Luxist, 7/17/06

Sidr Honey is said to be the single most expensive honey in the world. It comes from the Hadramaut Mountains in the Southwestern Arabian Peninsula, where it is harvested only twice per year. The honey is from bees who feast only on the pollen of the Sidr tree, considered by many to be a holy tree and is one of the most resilient, ancient tree varieties in the area. Sidr honey is reputed to have many medicinal benefits and has an unusually high level of antioxidants, not to mention a rich, unforgettable taste. It can be found online and sells for $200/kg.

Propolis and Cancer Prevention

Brazilian Natural Dietary Components (Annatto, Propolis and Mushrooms) Protecting Against Mutation and Cancer
Hum Exp Toxicol, 2006 May;25(5):267-72

This review summarizes some of our studies conducted to verify the anti-mutagenic and anti-carcinogenic potential of some Brazilian natural dietary constituents (annatto, mushrooms, and propolis). Overall data have shown a clear role for these compounds in preventing mutation and specific preneoplastic lesions. Taken together, these agents indicate a favorable side-effect profile and may prove to be a promising alternative for cancer prevention strategies, although more investigation is needed to fully explore this issue.

Propolis Shows Anti-Tumor Activity Against Solid Carcinoma

Antioxidant Activity and Anti-Tumor Immunity by Agaricus, Propolis and Paffia in Mice
Suzuka University of Medical Science (Japan)

In South America, natural products with unknown drug effects are used as folk remedies and for preventive medicine. Among South American natural products, we directed our attention to Agaricus, Propolis and Paffia, which have been known as medicinal plants, and examined the mechanisms by which these substances affect antioxidant activity, anti-tumor activity and immunoresponse.

When the antioxidant activities of Agaricus, Propolis and Paffia were examined by the DPPH and Rhoudan iron methods, since Propolis contains high levels of fravonoids, it is thought that fravonoids may be responsible for the antioxidant activity in this study…

Propolis showed strong anti-tumor activity against two kinds of solid carcinoma. Taken altogether, this strongly suggests that Agaricus, Propolis and Paffia enhances original functions of macrophages and NK cells, and as a result, secondarily enhances the immune reaction and suppresses tumor growth.

Ultra-Rush Venom Immunotherapy ‘Safe and Convienient’

Safety of Specific Immunotherapy Using a Four-Hour Ultra-Rush Induction Scheme in Bee and Wasp Allergy
J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol, 2006;16(2):79-85

BACKGROUND: Ultra-rush induction of immunotherapy with Hymenoptera venom is a reliable and efficacious alternative to the rush induction protocol, though not widely used in European countries yet. Its safety, however, has been intensively discussed over the last few years. The aim of this retrospective case study was to examine the rate of allergic side-effects during our four-hour ultra-rush hymenoptera venom induction regimen…

CONCLUSION: Our ultra-rush immunotherapy induction regimen shows a low incidence of systemic reactions. It proved to be safe and convenient for the patient, as it could be applied in a four-hour outpatient regimen.

Canadian Propolis Promising Source of Biologically Active Substances

Chemical Composition of Propolis from Canada, Its Antiradical Activity and Plant Origin
Natural Product Research, 2006 May 20;20(6):531-6

The chemical composition of propolis from two regions in Canada was studied: Boreal forest and Pacific coastal forest that lay outside the area of distribution of Aigeiros poplars, the usual propolis source plants…

Both samples showed good radical scavenging activity against DPPH. Obviously, Northern type propolis is a promising potential source of biologically active substances and deserves further investigation.

Honey Used as Emergency Wound Treatment

Vanilla Guerrilla
Lulu Sturdy, The Independent (UK), 7/13/2006

Then there was an attack with a panga (machete) on my new farm manager, Monday, when he disturbed a thief in his house. It left a chunk out the back of his head like a quarter-slice of apple. We learnt to dress the wound every other day with wild honey and gauze. The effect was phenomenal: it protected the wound from bacteria at the same time as it promoted growth of new flesh over the bone…

Propolis Extract Inhibits Fungal Growth

Propolis from the Northwest of Argentina as a Source of Antifungal Principles
Journal of Applied Microbiology, 2006 Jul;101(1):103-10

Aims: To determine the antimycotic and cytotoxic activities of partially purified propolis extract on yeasts, xylophagous and phytopathogenic fungi. To compare these activities with pinocembrin and galangin isolated from this propolis and with the synthetic drugs ketoconazole and clortrimazole…

The results showed that the antifungal potency of ketoconazole and clortrimazole is higher than pinocembrin, galangin and the partially purified propolis extract in this order. Otherwise, the cytotoxicity of the synthetic drugs is also the highest.

Conclusions: Partially purified propolis extract inhibits fungal growth…

Honey is the Latest ‘Wonder Treatment’ for a Variety of Ills

The Treatment That's the Bee's Knees
By Peta Bee, Daily Mail (UK), 7/11/2006

Medicine may be increasingly high-tech, but the latest wonder treatment which is being offered to patients is — honey.

Last week, it was announced that bandages soaked in manuka honey are to be given to mouth cancer patients at the Christie Hospital in Manchester to reduce their chances of contracting the MRSA superbug and to lessen wound inflammation following surgery.

This is just the latest study investigating this particular type of honey's healing powers.

It is used routinely at the Manchester Royal Infirmary for dressing wounds, and other research has found it can fight gum disease, ease digestive problems and soothe sore throats.

All honey contains hydrogen peroxide, a substance once used as a wound disinfectant in hospitals — it comes from an enzyme that bees add to nectar…

In separate studies, researchers at Aintree Hospital in Liverpool and the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, found manuka honey could help to combat MRSA, which kills 5,000 British patients a year…

Another study published in the European Journal of Medical Research found manuka had an 85 per cent success rate — compared with 50 per cent with routine treatments — when used to treat infected caesarean and hysterectomy wounds.

Despite its sweetness, manuka honey has been found to disrupt three types of bacteria in the mouth which cause tooth decay.

In laboratory tests, it sharply reduced the acid levels produced by Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus sobrinus and Lactobacillus caseii.

Research by Professor Molan has shown that reducing the amount of acid stops the bacteria from producing dextran, which sticks dental plaque to the surface of teeth. He recommends rubbing manuka into the gums after brushing or, since it retains its anti-microbial properties even when diluted up to 50 times, it can be used as a mouthwash...

Trials at the University of Waikato are looking into the effects of manuka honey on acne and eczema.

It is suggested it is applied neat to the skin as a face pack and left for 15 to 20 minutes before washing off…

Using honey, including manuka of various UMFs, during exercise was found to be as successful at improving performance and power among athletes as specialist energy drinks…

Propolis Ointment Recommended for Cold Sores

The Sunday Mail (UK), 7/9/2006

Q HOW can I heal cold sores?

A BIO-PROPOLIS quickly reduces the misery - the lesions heal more rapidly and there is a general reduction in pain. This is effective at every stage of the cold sore while many treatments only work at the tingling stage before the blister. Apply the ointment up to five times a day.

New Zealand Sets Health Standards for Imported Bee Products

Honey Import Health Standard Issued
Scoop, 7/11/2006

Biosecurity New Zealand (BNZ), part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), today issued a new import health standard for honey and related bee products from Australia.

The new import health standard allows for:

- Heat treatment as a risk management measure for European Foulbrood and Nosema ceranae for all products from areas where these diseases are likely to be present

- Inspection or heat treatment or specified testing for all bee products as risk management measures for American Foulbrood

- Alternatively, irradiation can be used as a risk management measure for American Foulbrood, European Foulbrood and Nosema ceranae for bee products other than honey

- Extra heating during packaging for bulk honey from states with small hive beetle…

Propolis May Enhance Antibacterial Therapy

Antibacterial Activity of Propolis and Its Active Principles Alone and in Combination with Macrolides, Beta-Lactams and Fluoroquinolones Against Microorganisms Responsible For Respiratory Infections

Speciale A, Costanzo R, Puglisi S, Musumeci R, Catania MR, Caccamo F, Iauk L.
Department of Microbiological and Gynecological Sciences, University of Catania, Italy. special@unict.it

Propolis is produced by bees and is reported to have several pharmaceutical properties. Its antibacterial activity against strains causing upper respiratory tract infections is particularly important: propolis might be used as a therapeutic agent to prevent the bacterial infections that sometimes overlap viral infections. In this study the in vitro activity of both an alcoholic solution and a hydroglyceric extract of propolis, as well as its active principles, was tested against bacteria responsible for respiratory infections (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Streptococcus pyogenes). We also evaluated the in vitro activity of a combination of propolis and its active principles and some beta-lactams, macrolides and fluoroquinolones.

Our results, though not demonstrating a clearly synergistic activity between antibiotics and propolis and its constituents, show the possibility of using natural preparations, due to their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, to enhance antibacterial therapy.

Japanese ‘Propo Egg’ High in Antioxidants

Propo Egg: The Ultimate Japanese Antioxidant Product Made by Pharma Nectar's Original Super Blended Propolis

By feeding the layin hen with Pharma Nectar's special blended propolis, glutatione production drastically increase, thus increasing the hen's immue system. Glutatione is a powerful essential endogenous antioxidant. It is metabolized into three decompesed derivatives: glutamine acid, cistein and glycin that go to the eggs. Propo Egg has 5% more glutamine acid, which increase Propo Egg functional antioxidant activity and ameliorates the taste. (Google translation service)

Source: Apinews
Apinews is an Apitherapy updating service of Pharma Nectar.

Surgeons Use Beeswax to Stop Bones from Bleeding

New FDA-Approved Treatment for Bone Bleeding Offers Alternative to Civil War-Era Remedy
PRWeb, 7/7/2006

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) July 7, 2006 -- Almost 150 years after the battle of Gettysburg, surgeons still stop bones from bleeding the same way Civil War field doctors did in 1863 – using beeswax. That’s about to change.

A study just published in The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery shows a new synthetic copolymer called OsteneTM stops bone bleeding instantaneously, but unlike beeswax, it does so without interfering with bone healing or causing inflammation of the surrounding soft tissue.

Chemists from the University of Southern California have developed water-soluble OsteneTM as a long-overdue alternative to the old battlefield remedy. They teamed up with Dr. Tad Wellisz, a USC clinical professor of surgery with experience in developing and marketing medical products, and gained approval for OsteneTM from the Food and Drug Administration in 2005. Now OsteneTM, manufactured by Los Angeles-based Ceremed, Inc., can be used in U.S. operating rooms.

It’s high time. Beeswax, better known as bone wax, increases the risk of infection and causes allergic reactions, chronic inflammation, swelling and debilitating pain…

Heart Mitochondrial Respiration Rate Decreased With Propolis Water Solution

Heart Disease Weekly, 7/16/2006

Researchers in Lithuania report, "The effect of propolis water solution (PWS) on the respiration of rat heart mitochondria with NAD-linked (pyruvate + malate), FAD-linked (succinate) substrates and fatty acids (palmitoyl-L-carnitine) was investigated in this study."…

"PWS at concentrations of 63 and 125 mcg mL of PC caused a significant decrease of basal (24 and 54%) and maximal (58 and 70%) respiration rates with succinate as substrate," noted the investigators. "At these PWS concentrations the oxidation of pyruvate + malate and palmitoyl-L-carnitine was diminished to a lower degree: the basal respiration rate decreased by 13-18% and the maximal respiration rate by 15-28%. Succinate oxidation was affected, probably because of the inhibition of succinate dehydrogenase by the 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid esters found in PWS."

"The PWS-caused decrease in the mitochondrial respiration rate with pyruvate + malate and fatty acids could be due to diminished activities of respiratory chain complexes and/or ADP/ATP translocator," the authors concluded.

Majiene and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology (Influence of propolis water solution on heart mitochondrial function. J Pharm Pharmacol, 2006;58(5):709-713).

For additional information, contact D. Majiene, Kaunas University of Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Research, Eiveniu Str 4, LT-50009 Kaunas 7, Lithuania.

UK Hospital Studies Use of Honey to Protect Cancer Patients from Infections

Christie Hits MRSA With Wonder Honey
South Manchester Reporter (UK), 7/6/2006

Now in south Manchester, honey is being used to protect mouth and throat cancer patients from the MRSA superbug and other infections which are resistant to anti-biotics.

In a worldwide first, the Christie Hospital is researching the powers of New Zealand honey to help mouth and throat cancer patients’ recover after surgery.

Some of honey’s healing powers have been known for many years.

For example, it can help scars and wounds, or be put on dressings. Nurses at Manchester Royal Infirmary have been using special honey coated dressings for the last two months.

But the Christie work is unique.

Survival rates for people suffering from throat and mouth cancer have improved over the last 15 years, thanks to doctors more effectively combining surgery with chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments.
An unfortunate side-effect, however is a condition called mucositis, which is an inflammation and infection of the lining tissue inside patients’ mouths and throats.

The ongoing study is looking at whether manuka honey from New Zealand can reduce this inflammation and prevent infection…

Turkish Pollen, Propolis Extracts Effective Against Plant Pathogens

Antibacterial Activities of Turkish Pollen and Propolis Extracts Against Plant Bacterial Pathogens
Journal of Food Engineering, Volume 77, Issue 4 , December 2006, Pages 992-996

Abstract: The “in vitro” antibacterial activities of Turkish pollen and propolis extracts were investigated against 13 different species of agricultural bacterial pathogens…

Among the tested bacteria, A. tumefaciens was the most sensitive one to 1/5 concentration of pollen extract…

The least active concentrations towards the tested bacteria were 1/100 of the pollen extract and 1/1000 of the propolis extract. This study is the first report on the antibacterial activities of pollen and propolis against the plant pathogenic bacteria.

Nutritional Content of Fresh, Bee-Collected and Stored Pollen Compared

Nutritional Content of Fresh, Bee-Collected and Stored Pollen of Aloe Greatheadii Var. Davyana (Asphodelaceae)
Phytochemistry, 2006 Jun 27

Aloe greatheadii var. davyana is the most important indigenous South African bee plant. Fresh, bee-collected and stored pollen of this aloe was collected and analysed for its nutritional content, including amino acid and fatty acid composition. Highly significant differences were found between the three types of pollen. Collection and storage by the bees resulted in increased water (13-21% wet weight) and carbohydrate content (35-61% dry weight), with a resultant decrease in crude protein (51-28% dry weight) and lipid content (10-8% dry weight). Essential amino acids were present in equal or higher amounts than the required minimum levels for honeybee development, with the exception of tryptophan. Fatty acids comprised a higher proportion of total lipid in fresh pollen than in bee-collected and stored pollen. This study is the first to compare the changes that occur in pollen of a single species after collection by honeybees.

Reports of Apitherapy-Related Allergic Reactions

Delayed Contact Sensitivity on the Lips and Oral Mucosa Due to Propolis-Case Report
Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal, 2006 Jul 1;11(4):E303-4

We report a rare case of a patient who was referred to the Department of Oral medicine in Zagreb, Croatia. The patient was 20 years old, otherwise healthy and not taking any medication. She presented with irregular erosions partially covered with pseudomembranes that involved both lips and retrocomissural mucosa. Discrete erosion was also noticed on her lower lingual gingiva in the area 42. She reported a propolis solution self-medication for treatment of recurrent aphthous ulcers. After ten days of propolis application, lip and oral lesions developed. Patch test to propolis was proven. We highlight the fact that some folk medicine medications, such as propolis, although being known for many decades to be helpful in various conditions, in some individuals might lead to unwanted side-effects due to its antigenic potential…

Food-Induced Anaphylaxis Caused by Ingestion of Royal Jelly
J Dermatol, 2006 Jun;33(6):424-6

We report a case of food-induced anaphylaxis caused by ingestion of royal jelly. After taking royal jelly and several other medicinal products, a 33-year-old Japanese male developed severe facial pruritus and erythema, followed by vertigo, numbness in his fingers, generalized pruritus, wheals, dyspnea, wheezing and impaired consciousness. He was treated with corticosteroid and fluid therapy, and his symptoms subsided. Upon allergy testing, his only positive reaction was to royal jelly. Given the clinical symptoms and the positive prick test to royal jelly, a diagnosis of anaphylaxis due to the ingestion of royal jelly was made…

US Apitherapy Course and Conference September in Utah

2006 Charles Mraz Apitherapy Course & Conference (CMACC)
September 21-24, 2006

The CMACC will present the basics of Apitherapy, plus advanced information, culminating in an understanding of indications for and the safe use of the products of the honey bee.

Dates: September 21-24, 2006
Location: Shilo Inn, 206 South West Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah
Costs: See registration form

Arizona Apitherapists Recommend Bee Venom Therapy

The Bee Business is Sweet
By Erin Swinney, The Albuquerque Tribune (USA), 7/1/2006

BOSQUE FARMS - Ken Hays is 68. He works 10 to 12 hours a day. In an average week, he gets stung by a bee at least 75 times. On purpose…

Hays says he's healthy enough to do the work due to his practice of apitherapy, which relies on the use of bee products and stings to promote health and fight disease.

Hays regularly incorporates products like honey and bee pollen into his diet.

"One of the huge benefits of beekeeping is you eat good," he said.

Hays also has his bees intentionally sting him on his pressure points three times a week, which usually consists of around 75 stings total.

Kathleen Miller, a former nurse practitioner and apitherapy enthusiast, administers the stings. Miller got into apitherapy when there was no other cure for her severe knee problems.

"I had three knee surgeries and I was at my wits' end," Miller said. "I decided to try apitherapy and it worked like a charm. It turned my life around."

Bee venom has healthful properties and helps with arthritis and allergies, Hays said, adding that it charges the immune system…

Bee Venom May be Alternative to Electrical or Mechanical Acupoint Stimulation

Bee Venom Injection Significantly Reduces Nociceptive Behavior in the Mouse Formalin Test via Capsaicin-Insensitive Afferents
The Journal of Pain, Volume 7, Issue 7 , July 2006, Pages 500-512

This study demonstrates that BV acupuncture produces a significant antinociception without nociceptive behavior in rodents, which is mediated by capsaicin-insensitive afferents and involves activation of central adrenergic circuits. These results further suggest that BV stimulation into this acupuncture point might be a valuable alternative to traditional electrical or mechanical acupoint stimulation.

Study: Honey ‘Has a Beneficial Action in Wound Healing’

A Comparison of Wound Healing Following Treatment With Lavandula X Allardii Honey or Essential Oil
Phytotherapy Research, June 28, 2006

The increased interest in complementary therapies has led to the investigation of products traditionally believed to have a beneficial effect in wound healing. Two such products are honey and lavender essential oil. In this study a rat excisional wound model was used to investigate the action of Lavandula x allardii honey and essential oil, and a standard therapeutic honey (Medihoney).

...These data suggest that L. x allardii honey, but not essential oil, has a beneficial action in wound healing.