“Nature Put Bees on this Earth to help us heal”

– Charles Mraz

MEDICAL APITHERAPY
CHARLES MRAZ APITHERAPY COURSE & CONFERENCE

REDONDO BEACH, CA
OCTOBER 2016
THANK YOU STUDENT COUNCIL AND BEE THE
MEDICINE STUDENT CLUB!
DISCLOSURE

This lecture is a brief digest of the 2016 conference I attended that I feel is important for
me to share this information to my colleagues and student body. My knowledge is limited
and I must disclose that, as a current Naturopathic Medical Student, I am in no way in a
position, nor am qualified, to treat, prevent, diagnose or care for any conditions discussed.
APITHERAPY: THE SCIENCE
AND MEDICINE OF BEE HIVE
PRODUCTS
• Bee Pollen

• Honey

• Propolis
Api – bee
• Bee Venom Greek: θεραπεία = serving, caring for

• Royal Jelly
• Podmore
CHARLES MRAZ TEACHINGS

BVT is a classical example of the homeopathic principle which states that a substance that
produces the symptoms of a disease is a cure for that diseases…Rheumatic disease result in
swelling, pain and inflammation. A bee sting causes the same symptoms. The sting stimulates the
immune system to relieve the inflammation caused by the BV, while relieving the symptoms of the
rheumatic disease at the same time. (p. 46)
Many people do not like the idea of killing the bees. However, I believe that one reason nature
put bees on this Earth was to help us heal. Bees reproduce rapidly. In a normal summer day, when
bees are gathering honey and pollen, thousand of bees dies every day literally by working
themselves to death. But the queen can lay 1,500 to 2,000 eggs a day to replace them. (p. 55 )
CONDITIONS FREQUENTLY TREATED

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Lyme disease
• Sports Injuries
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Scars
• Pain Management
• Shingles and Herpes Simplex
OTHER CONDITIONS

• High Blood Pressure • Cortisol secretion dysfunction

• Coronary Artery Disease • Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Peripheral Vascular Disease Thyroid Disease • Epstein barr disease
• Sciatica, Neuritis • Depression
• Diabetic Neuropathy • Anxiety
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome • Substance abuse
• Post herpetic neuralgia • Eczema, psoriasis, Scleroderma
• Lupus
• Bruises and warts
BVT CONTRAINDICATIONS

• Cardiac, kidney or pulmonary insufficiencies

• Hyperthyroidism or adrenal insufficiency
• Psychiatric conditions, esp depression and anxiety
• Infections - local or systemic
• Insulin dependent diabetes
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• unwillingness
TOXIC DOSING OF BEE VENOM
• 75kg Man (165 lbs): 1,425 stings
• 30 kg child (66 lbs): 570 stings
• Death occurs by lung and/or kidney failure
• Lethal Dose: 2.8 mg/Kg
• = 19 stings per Kg
• = 9 stings per lb
Safety of bee venom therapy Castro, HB,
Joseph A. Phase I study of the safety of
honeybee venom extract as a possible
treatment for patients with progressive
forms of multiple sclerosis. Allergy Asthma
Proc, 2005; 26:6, 470-476. 9 patients with
progressive forms of MS were placed on a
one-year immunization schedule.A total
of 4 experienced worsening of their
symptoms and withdrew, 3 had subjective
improvement of symptoms, and 2 showed
objective improvement. Conclusion: BVT
is safe.
DELIVERY OF BV TECHNIQUES

• Full sting = 150 ug

• Mini sting = 20 ug
• Micro-sting = 1-2 ug

• Can cup the area first….

• Can drag the stinger
• BV injectable
• BV Creams, lotions, salves
• BV is fat-soluble, consider for recipe making
BEE VENOM IATROGENCITY

“any intentional or unintended, immediate or postponed, yet

preventable or avoidable harm to the human body or mind by an
either action or inaction (e.g. failure to prevent) of the medical
caregiver (i.e., nurse, physician) resulting in discomfort, injury,
disability, or death”

Gussak, I. and Kostis J. Iatrogenicity: causes and consequences of Iatrogenesis in Cardiovascular Medicine. 2017.
WHAT ABOUT ALLERGIES TO BEES?!?!

• Allergy versus Anaphylaxis

• Adverse Reactions
• Natural Remedies for itching: Potato, Vinegar
• Adverse reactions versus Herxing (an intended consequence)

• Type IV response: Delayed hyper-sensitivity concept:

• When a client/patients can get progressively become more an allergic to Bee venom or pollen
• Seeing this with vaccines, foods, and bee venom
• Normal Reactions
ANAPHYLAXIS

• From a 10-year survey of anaphylaxis,

2,000 people received 25 bee venom
treatment per year, in ten years, that
equates to 500,000 sessions. In ten
years, 12 anaphylactic events recorded.

• 1 anaphylactic event / 42,000 sessions

NORMAL BV REACTIONS
BEE ALLERGY

• People think they are allergic to honeybees, but they are actually not…
• More often from wasps and hornets
• An allergy is a systemic response. A large, local reaction is considered not only normal,
but healthy.

The good news is that it doesn’t have much to do with the honeybees which are
like the teddy bears. 90% of “bee” stings that go to the ER are wasps, hornets, or
yellow jackets. These are carnivores. …Allergy by definition is systemic. A big
swollen hand is not an allergic reaction, that is an adaptive and therapeutic,
localized reaction and this is a healthy process. (from an MD/Homeopath friend)
HONEYBEE VS. HORNET VS. WASP VS.YELLOW JACKET
AN APITHERAPIST’S TOOLKIT

• EpiPen
• Benadryl
• Homeopathics
• Apis, Ledum,Venom dilution
MAJOR COMPONENTS OF BEE VENOM

• Melittin: 50% (dry weight)

• Adolopin – 1%
• Apamin – 3%
• Peptide 401/Mast Cell Degranulating Peptide – 3%
• Hyaluronidase – 3%
• Phospholipase A2 – 12%
• Histamine- 0.9%
BEE VENOM EFFECTS

• Immune activation
• Stimulates pituitary-cortical systems secretion of cortisol
• Immediate inflammatory effect
• Secondary anti-inflammatory effect
• Improves blood circulation
• Decreases pain
ARTICLE: BEE VENOM THERAPY: HISTORY,
MECHANISM, CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Klernomos, Chris, DAOM, FNP-BC, RH

(AHG) “Bee Venom Therapy: History,
mechanisms and clinical considerations.
MusculoSkeletal Pain. Summer 2010.
 BV MECHANISMS OF ACTION

• Acupoint Stimulation
• analgesic

• Diffuse Noxious Inhibitory control

• Noxious or painful stimuli in one area can override pain in another by confusing the pain
receptors

• Increases Fos Expression

• Indication of increased synaptic and cellular activity

Klernomos, Chris, DAOM, FNP-BC, RH (AHG) “Bee Venom Therapy: History, mechanisms and clinical considerations. MusculoSkeletal Pain. Summer 2010.
 MECHANISMS OF ACTION (CONT…)

• Anti-inflammation
• Reverses Type II collagen carrageenan-induced arthritis
• Reduces inflammatory markers including c-reactive protein (CRP) and SED rate
• Inhibits inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) expression
• Cox-2 inhibition
• Like Turmeric, Berberine, licorice, goldenseal
• Decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines (iL-1b,THF-a) production
• Increases gene expression of BAX and caspase  apoptosis of rheumatoid synovial cells

• Immune-Modulation
• Affect Th immune system
• Increases leukocyte, lymphocyte, and monocyte production

Klernomos, Chris, DAOM, FNP-BC, RH (AHG) “Bee Venom Therapy: History, mechanisms and clinical considerations. MusculoSkeletal Pain. Summer 2010.
MECHANISMS OF ACTION (CONT…)

• Bee venom specific ca++ channel binding : decreased pain!

• BV inhibits glutamate
• (neuro exciting) so alleviates the signal, so decrease the volume….
• PLA2 (the good kind) was associated with microglial deactivation and reduction in CD4+ T-cell infiltration
• Venom shows an overall decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines
• IL-1b, TNF-a production
• BV inhibits nitric oxide synthase expression
• Increased Nitric Oxide good for pain relief
• NO increases vasodilation and circulation
• Significant and sustained levels of cortisol
• Beats the standard of care for arthritic changes to joints, markedly…
BEE VENOM FOR PAIN MANAGEMENT:
MECHANISMS
• Apis venom: • Diffuse Noxious Inhibitory Control
• Direct analgesic (short-term) • Rub chili pepper on your hand, and now doesn't
• Pain modulating effect (long-term) hurt!
• Hit hand with hammer
• Addresses:
• Inflammation • BV: Acts on c-fibers and substance P
• Oxidation • Blocks Opioid activated Ca++ influx: pain relief:
• Histamine release antagonist
• Immune response • The pain signal eventually runs out
• Good for both acute and chronic pain • Gate Control Theory of Pain
• Large, fat (alpha delta and a-beta) can override
the smaller, slower fibers
MECHANISMS OF ACTION (MORE…)

• Adaptogenic/HPAA Modulator - pituitary stimulation

• Anodyn (systemic) – centrally acting Fos expression
• Anesthetic (local)- “gating”
• Anti-inflammatory - multiple mechanisms
• Immune Modulator/Stimulator – cytokine activation, neutrophil activation, CD cells
• Cardiotonic/Anti-arrhythmic/Hypotensive – Ca+ channel
• Anti-coagulant
• Neuro Tropho-restorative (CNS stim/suppress)- norepinephrine, dopamine & receptors
• Anti-oxidant/Anti-aging – mTor activation, mitochondrial function (dose dependent)
• Anti-neoplastic apoptosis – via TNFa
• Anti-microbial – Direct and indirect via multiple mechanisms
BEE VENOM COMPONENTS SUMMARY
MELITTIN
• Anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, cardiac effects
• Somerfield found that Melittin inhibits superoxide and
H2O2 production in neutrophils.
• Vick found that it causes sustained rise in plasma cortisol
levels in monkeys and dogs
• Faculty of health sciences, medical school in South Africa:
• Melittin increases proliferation of CD4 Cells in
HIV-infected cultures
ENZYMES IN BEE VENOM
• Peptide 401 /mast cell degranulating
peptide
• found to be 100 times as potent as anti-
inflammatory as hydrocortisone. Hansen (1974)
showed a direct anti-inflammatory effect of
MCDP on blood vessel walls
• Phospholipase A2
• Break down the phospholipid layer in cell walls
causing cell lysis and pain (mastolytic)
PHOSPHOLIPASE A2

• Strong allergen
• Breaks down phospho-lipid layer in cell walls causing cell lysis and pain

• But what if this mechanism is what you need?? And is the therapeutic effect???
• Bee venom is unique, classes as group III, the good PLA2
• The group 4s are pro-inflammatory and pro-oxidant
• But Group II PLA21 actiavtes downstream anti-inflammatory eiconosides!!!
• It also modulates gene expression.
APAMIN

• Apamin balances Melittin b/c Melittin breaks RBCs

• Increase in T-helper cell response
 3 PHASES OF BVT TREATMENT

• Reactive Phase
• Herxing
• Healing Crisis

• Resistant Phase
• Recovery/Maintenance Phase

Klernomos, Chris, DAOM, FNP-BC, RH (AHG) “Bee Venom Therapy: History, mechanisms and clinical considerations. MusculoSkeletal Pain. Summer 2010.
BEE VENOM TREATMENT (BVT)
BEE VENOM’S MAJOR COMPONENT, MELITTIN, RENDERS THE
SPIROCHETE IMMOBILE AND POKES HOLES IN B.BURGDORGERI
(LUBKE, 2007)
BVT FOR CHRONIC INFECTION – DR.
KLERONOMOS
• Suggestive NOT proven
• Supported hypothesis- Theory
• Eva Sapi, Associate Professor of Biology & Environmental Science, University of New Haven
• UW & Washington University - HIV research
• Multiple- Cancer studies

• Multi-factorial effect:
• B. burgdorferi motility inhibition and morphology alteration (LUBKE, 1997)
• Cell wall permeability
• Bio-films & cystic forms: forms little pore-like attack complexes and ruptures the envelope
• Mitochondrial regulation (dose dependent)
• Gene expression/inhibition
• Immune modulation- recognition/surveillance and regulation
• Anti-inflammatory
• Centrally acting- HPAA stimulation and neuronal modulation
BVT FOR LYME

• Can take about 2-2.5 years to eradicate with BVT

• Lyme patients spend on average $53,000 per year out of pocket for tests, doctor’s
treatments, supplements, pharmaceuticals, etc…
• If the sufferer has not produced a herx, or symptoms have not changed, it’s time to look
at other causes
• Herx: major headaches, flares, muscle pain....
• Continue treatment until 3 months past last Herx
• BVT and coinfections: seems to work well on EBV, mycoplasma, babesia, and bartonella
BEE VENOM AS A LITMUS TEST FOR LYME
ONLINE ARTICLE: “HOW A BEE STING SAVED MY
LIFE” – ELLIE LOBEL
• http://mosaicscience.com/story/how-bee-sting-saved-my-life-poison-medicine
• Poison as Medicine
HOW TO
BVT FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

• BVT for rheumatoid arthritis Kim CM, Bee venom therapy for arthritis, Rhumatologie
41:3, 67-72. 27 rheumatoid arthritis patients reported a decrease in symptoms along with
increased mobility. Lee SH et al, Randomized controlled double blind study of bee venom
on rheumatoid arthritis. J Kor Acu Mox Soc. 20, 80-88. BVT compared with conventional
treatment was given twice weekly for 8 weeks. After 2 months the BVT group had
significant decreases in tender joint count, swollen joint count, morning stiffness, pain, and
other symptoms.
BVT FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS

• Kim CM, Bee venom therapy for arthritis, Rhumatologie, 41:3, 67-72. In 80 patients,
symptoms decreased. Wang, OH, Clinical study on the effectiveness of bee venom
therapy on degenerative knee arthritis. J. Kor. Acu. Mox. Soc., 18:35-47. 70 patients were
studied: 11 excellent, 31 good, 16 improved.
 Un-Treated Treated
Treated Un-Treated

TREATED LEFT KNEE/LEG (~ 20 STINGS OVER 2 MONTHS)

BVT FOR CANCER
Impact of Bee Venom Enzymes on Diseases and Immune
Responses. Hossen MS1, Shapla UM2, Gan SH3, Khalil MI4,5.
Molecules. 2016 Dec 27;22(1). pii: E25. doi: 10.3390/molecules22010025.

Abstract: Bee venom (BV) is used to treat many diseases and exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-
bacterial, antimutagenic, radioprotective, anti-nociceptive immunity promoting, hepatocyte
protective and anti-cancer activity. According to the literature, BV contains several enzymes,
including phospholipase A2 (PLA2), phospholipase B, hyaluronidase, acid phosphatase and α-
glucosidase. Recent studies have also reported the detection of different classes of enzymes in BV,
including esterases, proteases and peptidases, protease inhibitors and other important enzymes involved in
carbohydrate metabolism. Nevertheless, the physiochemical properties and functions of each enzyme class
and their mechanisms remain unclear.Various pharmacotherapeutic effects of some of the BV enzymes have
been reported in several studies. At present, ongoing research aims to characterize each enzyme and
elucidate their specific biological roles. This review gathers all the current knowledge on BV enzymes and
their specific mechanisms in regulating various immune responses and physiological changes to provide a
basis for future therapies for various diseases.
Impact of Bee Venom Enzymes on Diseases and Immune
Responses. Hossen MS1, Shapla UM2, Gan SH3, Khalil MI4,5.
Molecules. 2016 Dec 27;22(1). pii: E25. doi: 10.3390/molecules22010025.

Abstract: Bee venom (BV) is used to treat many diseases and exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-
bacterial, antimutagenic, radioprotective, anti-nociceptive immunity promoting, hepatocyte
protective and anti-cancer activity. According to the literature, BV contains several enzymes,
including phospholipase A2 (PLA2), phospholipase B, hyaluronidase, acid phosphatase and α-
glucosidase. Recent studies have also reported the detection of different classes of enzymes in BV,
including esterases, proteases and peptidases, protease inhibitors and other important enzymes involved in
carbohydrate metabolism. Nevertheless, the physiochemical properties and functions of each enzyme class
and their mechanisms remain unclear.Various pharmacotherapeutic effects of some of the BV enzymes have
been reported in several studies. At present, ongoing research aims to characterize each enzyme and
elucidate their specific biological roles. This review gathers all the current knowledge on BV enzymes and
their specific mechanisms in regulating various immune responses and physiological changes to provide a
basis for future therapies for various diseases.
SELECTED RESEARCH

• Small dose of apitoxin useful in treating chronic diseases. Alba JL MD: Apismed Ltda. Bogata,
Columbia.
• Bee venom’s healing effects on acne and wounds: Han S, Lee KG, Park KK. National Academy
of Agricultural Science Suwon. Republic of Korea.
• Molecular mechanisms underlying the in vitro anti-inflammatory effects of a flavonoid-rich
ethanol extract from Chinese propolis (poplar type) K Wang, S Ping, S Huang, L Hu, H Xuan…
- Evidence-Based
• Inhibitory effect of chinese propolis on phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C activity
in vascular endothelial cells H Xuan, R Zhu, Y Li, F Hu - Evidence-Based Complementary and
…, 2010 - hindawi.com
SELECTED RESEARCH

• Apitherapy: usage and experience in german beekeepers M Hellner, D Winter, R von

Georgi… - … and Alternative Medicine, 2008
• Shin Y: A clinical pilot study comparing sweet bee venom treatment parallel with
acupucture teratment in patients with lumbar sprain. Journal of Acupucture and Meridian
Studies.Vol 4, Issue 4 Dec 2011.
HONEY

• 40% fructuose
• 40% gluose
• 2 tablespoons of honey = the
same glucose and fructose as an
apple
HONEY

Indications:
Pharyngo-larygitisi
Insomnia
Anorexia
Osteoporosis
Wounds
Burns
Bed sores
Ulcers
HONEY FOR A CHRONIC ULCER
AFTER 60 DAYS OF HONEY TREATMENT
BEE POLLEN

• https://draxe.com/bee-pollen/ 8 benefits
of bee pollen
PROPOLIS
DISCUSSION AND
QUESTIONS…
"If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then
man would only have four years of life left. No more bees,
no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no
more man."
APITHERAPY: THE SCIENCE AND MEDICINE OF BEE
HIVE PRODUCTS
 WWW.APITHERAPY.ORG

AAS PRIMARY GOALS

• Primary Goals:

• • Educate, advance, and help foster knowledge of substances produced by the honey bee (Apis Melifera): honey, pollen, propolis, royal jelly, and bee venom; or products derived from the hive

• • Encourage a collective membership of interested people to include, but not limited to, health professionals, scientists, herbalists, and bee keepers, and persons who have benefited from, or are getting
benefit from Apitherapy, to strengthen the network of support and communication nationally and internationally

• • Promote cooperation and collaboration between patients, practitioners, and health care providers, interested in incorporating the therapeutic use of Apitherapy. (by including practitioner, it includes the
non-licensed person i.e. same as an herbalist).

• • Encourage the development of high standards of education, competency, and professionalism around the appropriate uses of Apitherapy.

• • Serve as a resource for, and liaison to other professional associations and regulatory agencies

• • Honor diversity in Apitherapy by helping to disseminate information; ranging from the indigenous and traditional applicatio n, to modern clinical pharmacology of Apitherapy through regional meetings, an
annual national conference, journal, and web site.

• • Encourage the concept of wellness, by promoting an ecological mindset and increased awareness of the environmental and health benefits relating to the honey bee.

• • Move towards membership as a recognizable standard of competency

• • Move towards actively supporting research