Propolis, Royal Jelly Popular in Japan

Interview with Japanese Apitherapist Dr. Mitsuo Matsuka
Apitherapy Review, 7/30/2009

Q. Did Japanese healing in the past included Apitherapy? Which is the earliest date we have references in the Japanese medical texts about honey bee products or bee stings? When did research first start in Japan on Apitherapy?

A. Traditional beekeeping using Japanese honey bees, Apis cerana was not industrialized. Modern beekeeping with Apis mellifera developed at the end of the19 th century. Studies on bee venom were found around 1940 and effects by bee stung were experienced by beekeepers on the one hand. Several beekeepers developed a technique using sting apparatus with forceps to treat wounds, boils, joint inconveniences, etc. and in 1979, Japan Bee Sting Therapy Association was founded with 150 beekeepers. They have held workshops on the techniques of apipuncture and published magazines in Japanese. You can visit a website at http://www.npoapi.net/english/index.htm , though limited access. It was reorganized as Japan Apitherapy Association (authorized as a non-profit organization) in 2001…

Q.Propolis has become a very successful product in Japan . Could you tell us why propolis has managed to become so well known and favorable to the consumers?

A. Apimondia in 1985 was a lucky and clear start line as described before. Japanese people awakened to the healthy bee product world, which have been, since then, supported by health-oriented, long-lived, and wealthy Japanese people. These are not only for propolis, but also for royal jelly…