New Zealand Apitherapy Firm Launches 'Huni' Skincare Line

The New Zealand apitherapy firm Comvita will launch its new Huni™ skincare line today at the company’s flagship store in Paengaroa, Bay of Plenty.

Comvita says: “Our delicious new skincare range harnesses the strong natural performance of UMF®20+ Manuka honey, an ingredient known for its moisturising, soothing and antioxidant properties.”

The Huni product line consists of: Every Day Cleanser, Any Time Toning Mist, Every Day Moisturiser, Every Night Moisturiser, Every Day Whitening, Night & Day Serum, Body Lotion & three Every Day Soaps; Manuka honey & Kowhai, Manuka honey & Propolis, and Manuka honey & Royal Jelly.

Honey Can Protect Wounds from ‘Superbugs’ MRSA and VRE

Medical World Buzzing Over Sweet Solution for Bugs
Scoop Independent News (New Zealand), 10/29/2007

A local home-grown US FDA approved product can protect wounds from superbugs such as MRSA and VRE.

Recent studies indicate that Manuka honey may succeed where advanced drugs have failed.

Two studies have shown Comvita’s Medihoney® to be a powerful tool in clearing wounds infected with multi-drug resistant bacteria including VRE and MRSA.

“The findings of the present study add to the body of evidence and clearly show that honey has a valuable therapeutic role to play in wound care, often where modern approaches have failed,” said researchers Narelle George and Keith Cutting…

How honey heals

* Has naturally occurring antibacterial properties – from hydrogen peroxide
* Acidity pH 3.8 – 4.3 to help correct the pH of chronic wounds
* Low water content helps clean wounds by drawing fluid away from the wound bed
* Creates moist healing conditions
* Helps reduce odour of chronic wounds
* Helps reduce pain sometimes associated with dressing changes
* Does not foster bacterial resistance or have toxic effects with long-term use
* Medical grade honeys are filtered, gamma irradiated and produced under strict conditions.

The Buzz on Bee Venom Therapy for Arthritis

By Janet Martin, Ezine Articles, 10/24/2007

A bee sting can be painful and dangerous, especially if you're allergic to bee venom. But some doctors claim the latter can help people with arthritis who don't respond well to traditional medications.

That's the buzz from Dr. Christopher Kim, medical director of the Monmouth Pain Institute in Red Bank, New Jersey, who has used bee venom therapy or apitherapy on 3,000 patients. Writing in the German medical journal "Rheumatologie," Kim said that apitherapy is safe, effective, and free of serious side effects.

Kim's endorsement of bee venom therapy follows a two-year- study he conducted on 108 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis who were not helped by conventional painkillers. He first gave the subjects twice weekly injections of been venom and gradually increased the shots. After 12 injections, most of the patients showed marked improvement.

Kim is not the only doctor using this controversial technique. Over 50 American physicians report good results using bee venom to treat not only pain but arthritic conditions, multiple sclerosis, high blood pressure, asthma, hearing loss, and even premenstrual syndrome…

At the eighth annual Asian Apicultural Association conference at the University of West Australia, Nepalese entomologist Ratna Thapa said he had a 50 - 60 percent success rate in treating arthritis with bee venom, and a 90 percent success rate when this substance was used to treat lower back and shoulder pain. But the idea is not new.

"Bee venom therapy has been around for thousands of years. Reference to the treatment can be found in ancient Egypt and Greek medical writings. Also known as apitherapy, the technique is more widely used in Eastern Europe, Asia and South America. Treatments supposedly started after beekeepers, who were stung many times, noticed their arthritis pains were relieved. Some practitioners still use live bee stings to deliver the venom," according to Charles Downey of WebMD.

What's the secret behind the success of bee venom? Cohen says it contains mellitin, an anti-inflammatory agent that is a hundred times stronger than cortisone, and adolapin which also fights inflammation and pain. Practitioners believe these ingredients work together and help the body release natural healing compounds that improve blood circulation and reduce swelling…

Beeswax Candles Recommended to Help ‘Asthma-Proof’ Homes

Ten Tips to Help Asthma-Proof Your Home
Child Health News, 10/29/2007

The onset of winter cold and flu season combined with colder, short days unfortunately all contribute to increased asthma symptoms for many children.

People remain inside this time of year plus indoor air quality becomes poor, while colds move through families, schools and communities. As homes are tightly sealed with closed windows, air is trapped with less ventilation causing irritants that trigger asthma to be more concentrated. Tobacco smoke, molds, smoke from festive holiday fireplaces and wood stoves used for heat all contribute to poor air quality, negatively impacting asthma sufferers. Children are increasingly diagnosed with asthma in the United States, and they can be especially affected by air quality in their environment.

Ten tips to help "asthma-proof" your home…

Tip 3: Use only clean-burning candles. Plain, unscented natural beeswax candles have a gentle, sweet scent without added perfumes and dyes...

Honey Recommended to Treat Nasal Staph Infection

Medicinal Honey Fights Bacteria
Dr. Andrew Weil, Vancouver Sun (Canada), 10/29/2007

Q: I have had a staph infection in my nose for a long time. I've tried several antibiotics and topical ointments that haven't helped. What can I do?

A: The bacterium Staphylococcus aureus is often found on the skin and in the noses of healthy people. It has been estimated that, at any given time, 25 to 30 per cent of the population has staph bacteria in the nose, but only some of those infected have symptoms. These bacteria can cause anything from minor skin infections (pimples) and boils to such potentially life-threatening diseases as pneumonia, meningitis and toxic shock syndrome.

Some 500,000 hospital patients in the United States develop staph infections every year. Disturbingly, these infections seem to be increasingly resistant to the penicillin-related antibiotics used to treat them. The worst infections result from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, and options for treating them are dwindling.

Standard treatment for staph infections of the nose is regular application of an antibiotic ointment (over-the-counter or prescription), but some of these infections can be stubborn, taking up to a year to subside. If this approach hasn't helped, you might try using medicinal honey instead. Researchers at the University of Waikato in New Zealand have found that honey's antibacterial activity can even stop the growth of MRSA bacteria. They've also shown that honey has no adverse effects on healthy tissue and can be safely inserted into cavities and sinuses to clear infection. Don't try this with ordinary supermarket honey. Two medicinal honeys available commercially include manuka honey from New Zealand and Medihoney from Australia…

Honey is a Natural and Effective Skincare Treatment

By Olessa Pindak, Natural Health, Pg. 33(3) Vol. 37 No. 10, 11/1/2007

The honey you use to sweeten your tea or spread on your morning toast can also be used to soften and hydrate your skin. It turns out the qualities that make it such a powerful nutritional source (honey is full of amino acids, enzymes, antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins, and has more protein per ounce than some meat) make it good for the skin, too, says Fran E. Cook-Bolden, M.D., clinical assistant professor in the department of dermatology at Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons.

A natural moisturizer, honey also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, which act to protect the hive from bacteria. Plus, honey is used in skincare just as it's found in nature: "It's not pressed, steamed, or extracted," observes Celeste Lutrario, director of research and development at Burt's Bees…

Moisturizing
Because of its high sugar content, honey is a humectant, meaning it pulls moisture from the air into the skin, helping to keep it hydrated and plump…

Antibacterial
"Honey's low pH makes it acidic, which provides a mild antibacterial effect," says Cook-Bolden. The cleansing properties that have madehoney a traditional treatment for cuts and scrapes also make it a great skin cleanser…

Anti-Aging
"Honey's antioxidant properties fight free radicals from the sun and pollution that can age skin," says Cook-Bolden. "It's also a greattreatment for sun-damaged skin."…

Exfoliating
"High levels of antioxidants in honey neutralize the effects of damaging free radicals," says Lutrario. Antioxidants help to encourage healthy cell turnover, revealing newer, fresher skin…

Propolis Component Kills Cancer Cells

Constituents of Brazilian Red Propolis and Their Preferential Cytotoxic Activity Against Human Pancreatic PANC-1 Cancer Cell Line in Nutrient-Deprived Condition
Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, Article in Press

Abstract: Human pancreatic cancer cells such as PANC-1 are known to exhibit marked tolerance to nutrition starvation that enables them to survive for prolonged period of time even under extremely nutrient-deprived conditions. Thus, elimination of this tolerance to nutrition starvation is regarded as a novel approach in anticancer drug development.

In this study, the MeOH soluble extract of Brazilian red propolis was found to kill 100% PANC-1 cells preferentially in the nutrient-deprived condition at the concentration of 10 μg/mL.

Further phytochemical investigation led to the isolation of 43 compounds including three new compounds, (6aS,11aS)-6a-ethoxymedicarpan (1), 2-(2′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-methyl-6-methoxybenzofuran (2), and 2,6-dihydroxy-2-[(4-hydroxyphenyl)methyl]-3-benzofuranone (3).

Among them, (6aR,11aR)-3,8-dihydroxy-9-methoxypterocarpan (21, DMPC) displayed the most potent 100% preferential cytotoxicity (PC100) at the concentration of 12.5 μM.

Further study on the mode of cell death induced by DMPC against PANC-1 cells indicated that killing process was not accompanied by DNA fragmentation, rather through a nonapoptotic pathway accompanied by necrotic-type morphological changes.

Apitherapy Symposium in Romania Dec. 7-9

First International Symposium of the Romanian Apitherapy Society
December 7-9, 2007, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

The Symposium will be held December 7 to 9, 2007, in collaboration with the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca.

Presentations will include:

* Actions of Royal Jelly on the Nervous System - Shoei Furukawa (Department of Biofunctional Analysis, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Japan)

* Effect of Estrogen and Estrogen-Like Substances on Cultured Neural Stem Cells - Yoshiko Furukawa (Department of Pharmaceutical Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Matsuyama University, Japan)

* Applications of BVT by Micro-Api-Puncture and Practical Demonstration About How to Use BVT Tools for Micro-Api-Puncture - Hirofumi Naito (Vice-president of the Nippon Apitherapy Society, Japan)

* Advantages of Fresh Pollen Versus Dry Pollen and the Best Way to Harvest a Pure Propolis from Hives that Can be Used for Medical Purposes - Patrice Percie Du Sert (France)

* Abdominal Palpation, Emotions and Apitherapy - Oral Presentation and Practical Demonstration - Claudette Raynal (France)

Registration Fee: 30 EUR

The fee includes access to the conference and Api-Expo and a visit to the Laboratory of Bees Products Quality Control of the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca

Booth Fee at Api-Expo: 100 EUR

For more information, e-mail: drstangaciu@apitherapy.com and draosan@gmail.com

Croatian Propolis has Stronger Antimicrobial, Antioxidant Activity than Brazilian Propolis

Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity of Propolis from Croatia and Brazil: a Comparative Study
Planta Medica, 2007; 73

The source of the plant material from which honeybees collect propolis has the influence on its chemical profile, and consequently on biological activity.

The aim of present study was to compare antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of ethanolic extracts of propolis collected from hives in Croatia (continental part) as typical poplar-type, and in Brazil (Minas Gerais region) as typical green or alecrim-type of propolis…

Higher content of flavanones was found in Croatian propolis (38.6%) than in Brazilian propolis (11.4%). The content of flavones/flavonols was also higher in the Croatian propolis sample (1.6% vs. 0.9%, respectively).

More potent antimicrobial activity exhibited Croatian propolis with MIC values below 10.38mg/mL against Escherichia coli ATCC 10535, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, and yeast Candida albicans ATCC 10231, while Brazilian propolis had MIC values against the same microbes between 10.38 and 20.75mg/mL.

The antioxidant potential was significant using Croatian propolis sample against DPPH radicals. Comparison of rate of scavenging capacity between propolis extracts showed no radicals after 30min using Croatian propolis while Brazilian propolis after 60min left 10% of radicals.

In conclusion, origin of propolis has influence on the chemical composition of propolis as well as on its antimicrobial and antioxidant activity.

According to the presented study, Croatian propolis rich in flavonoid aglycones exerts stronger antimicrobial and antioxidant activity than Brazilian propolis which is rich in other types of polyphenols such as prenylated phenylpropanoids.

1st World Propolis Science Forum

October 25-26, 2007
National Science Museum, Daejeon, South Korea

Honey: Its Effects on Anxiety and Memory in Adult Rats

Presentation by Lynne Chepulis and Nicola Starkey, University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand

Background:

* Cognitive ability is one of the main functions known to decline with age - oxidative damage
* Hyperglycemia involved in brain damage
* Link between glucose intolerance and diabetes with cognitive impairment
* Low glycemic foods may help to prevent this

Honey:

* Has a low glycemic index
* Many honey’s have high antioxidant contents
* Antioxidants offset oxidative damage in the brain
* Previously honey has been shown to significantly decrease weight gain, improve HDL cholesterol and blood sugar levels
* In people, honey consumption increases serum antioxidant content

Aim:

* To investigate whether long term feeding of honey can offset age related cognitive decline in rats
* Formed part of a larger study which examined other biochemical and physiological measures

Methods:

* Forty three Sprague Dawley rats (aged 2 months) were fed diets containing either 8% sucrose, 10% honey (honey is 20% water) or a sugar free diet for 12 months
* Diets prepared to approximate the composition of a typical NZ diet (15% protein, 35% fat, 45% carbohydrate)
* Weight assessed every 2 weeks, food intake every two months
* Behaviour assessed every 3 months on the EPM and Y maze

Key Findings:

* Honey fed rats were less anxious at all time points but anxiety decreased in all rats over time
* Activity levels were similar across all groups, decreasing between 6 and 12 months
* Spatial recognition improved in honey fed rats
* Honey rats had lower blood sugar and cholesterol
* Two benefits – antioxidant effects and low GI index

Further Questions:

* How much honey needs to be eaten to see these effects?
* Are effects due to low GI or antioxidant properties?
* More studies needed to clarify the effects on learning
* Dairy companies may begin using honey as a sweetener in yoghurts, etc.

US Apitherapy Products Firm Earns ‘Good Manufacturing Practices’ Certification

Beehive Botanicals Earns GMP Certification

Beehive Botanicals of Hayward, Wis., recently achieved Good Manufacturing Practices certification by the NSF under new standards established specifically for dietary supplements. (Each Beehive Botanicals product includes bee-collected pollen, royal jelly, propolis, or honey.)

The Good Manufacturing Practices Program (GMP) for dietary supplements was published in June 2007. The final draft of the publication took four years to complete.

“In anticipation of industry-wide changes, we’ve worked diligently over the past several years to achieve federal GMP certification. The benefit to our customers who rely on us for manufacturing their products is twofold. First, we are prepared to advise them on their responsibilities for meeting the new regulations. Next, because we’re GMP certified, each batch manufactured here will meet federal specifications for identity, purity, dosage strength and composition,” explained Linda Graham, CEO and president of Beehive Botanicals.

Third party audits ensure that standard operating procedures for every aspect of dietary supplement manufacturing meet the new standards.

Because Graham and her staff have worked all along with customers on quality enhancements toward GMP certification, the Hayward manufacturer is ahead of the game. Manufacturers that never operated under GMP programs, as well as those using former GMP program measures, must quickly invest time and money to be compliant.

Find more at online at http://www.beehivebotanicals.net/

* Dedicated to Purity, Integrity and Quality since 1972
* The largest dealer of bee propolis in North America
* A member of the International Bee Research Association (IBRA)
* A member of the American Apitherapy Association
* A member of the American Herbal Products Association
* A member of the TruLabel Program

Contact: Sally Gagan, Operation Manager, (715) 634-4274

Honey Recommended for Post-Operative Care, Healing

By Codie Leonsch Hartwig, Associated Content, 10/22/2007

The newly rediscovered healing properties of honey have been talked about a lot as of late, and now honey is in the news again thanks to a research review of the topic and its post-operative application recommendation appearing in Blackwell's International Journal of Clinical Practice (IJICP)…

First FDA-Cleared Honey-Based Treatment

Honey Makes Sweet Comeback in Treating Advanced Wounds
Business Wire, 10/22/2007

PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--An ancient remedy has been rediscovered for its therapeutic properties and has become a really sweet addition to treating serious wounds.

MEDIHONEY™ Wound & Burn Dressings are being distributed this month to physicians, hospitals and acute rehabilitation clinics. The product marks the first FDA clearance of a honey-based product for managing wounds and burns…

Use of MEDIHONEY™ involves applying it on bandages and wounds. The dressings can be used in all phases of the wound healing process, and are indicated for the management of:

· Diabetic foot ulcers
· Leg ulcers (venous stasis ulcers, arterial ulcers and leg ulcers of mixed etiology)
· Pressure ulcers/sores (partial and full thickness)
· First and second degree partial thickness burns
· Donor sites, and traumatic and surgical wounds...

New Book Outlines Health Benefits of Honey

Life Is Sweet With Honey
By Samantha Booth, Scottish Daily Record, 10/22/2007

HONEY has been enjoyed by humans for more than 20,000 years, which isn't surprising given its health benefits, sweet flavour and a myriad of uses…

Many even believed it to be the elixir of life, as new book Honey: A Handbook For Home, Health and Happiness, by Clova McQueen, shows us…

Honey consists of about 38 per cent fructose, 31 per cent glucose and one per cent sucrose, nine per cent other sugars, 17 per cent water and trace minerals.

It has a Glycaemic Index of 55 and has a calorie level 40 per cent lower than sugar but it is 25 per cent sweeter.

Honey is also cholesterol free.

While the four main natural by-products of honey production are pollen, royal jelly, beeswax and propolis…

Honey contains minerals, enzymes and antibiotics and it can be an effective treatment against colds and sore throats.

People swear by drinking a glass of honey and water several times a day. Honey and lemon juice is seen an effective remedy for sore throats as well as adding a teaspoon of honey to your tea or coffee.

Raw honey can also help hayfever, asthma sufferers and to alleviate up to 90 per cent of allergies although it is best to take honey from your local area and hay fever sufferers should start taking a teaspoon three times a day a few weeks before symptoms normally start.

One tablespoon of honey dissolved in a glass of warm water can also help headaches and migraines.

Honey is a natural laxative and helps to clean out the system which means it is also good for treating stomach aches as well as dehydration and diarrhoea…

A recommended tonic is one teaspoon of honey and the juice of half a lemon added to a glass of water to be taken first thing in the morning.

Honey has even been thought to help cure baldness. All anyone with a thinning pate has to do is rub their bald spot with raw onions and then they apply apple honey.

The golden syrup has also been thought to help insomnia, stress, acne, halitosis, boils, fatigue and high blood pressure…

There is even some evidence that suggests taking honey regularly helps prevent cancer and heart disease.

Honey also has antiseptic qualities that help to prevent the spread of bacteria, and has long been used as a means of fighting infection…