Monday, April 30, 2007

Royal Jelly Recommended for Body Builders

Here are 10 Uncommon Supplements for Building Muscle and Gaining Mass
By Dwayne Jackson; Jim Stoppani
Joe Weider's Muscle & Fitness, 5/1/2007

Read on to learn about 10 supplements you should take that you probably never even thought could help you build muscle...

ROYAL JELLY

Produced by glands in the heads of worker bees, royal jelly is fed to larvae and the queen bee. We know what you're thinking: a) that sounds pretty nasty, and b) what can bee food do for bodybuilders? While we can't debate you on the first one, there's plenty that royal jelly can do for you. It's very high in protein and other nutrients, including the B vitamins and vitamins A, C, D and E, as well as 10-HDA (10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid), a special unsaturated fatty acid.

Although little human research has been done, anecdotal reports suggest royal jelly is effective at increasing energy and reducing fatigue. To support this, a 2001 animal study published in the Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology found that royal jelly supplementation prevented fatigue during intense exercise by decreasing the accumulation of lactic acid. This has great implications for bodybuilders, as lactic acid buildup results in the burning you feel at the end of a tough set and is one of the reasons you fatigue. Your best bet is to go with freeze-dried royal jelly products due to the high percentage of water in royal jelly.

* HOW TO TAKE IT: Take about 1,000 mg of royal jelly about 30 minutes before workouts to reduce lactic-acid levels and fatigue, allowing you to pump out more reps on more sets for greater muscle growth.

Canadian Teen Wins Awards for Medicinal Honey Science Project

Bright Young Minds Are On Science
By Alexandra Paul, Winnipeg Free Press (Canada), 4/30/2007

FIVE hundred of the country's top science buffs are headed for Nova Scotia May 12 for a week of talking science, eating lobster, kicking back at Gaelic Ceilidhs (folk dances) and making connections through the Canada Wide Science Fair 2007 in Truro. ..

Alexandra Kuzyk, 17, figured she had a honey of a project. The grade 12 senior at Kelvin High tested the medicinal properties in different kinds of honey in Manitoba...

Her project, Just Add Honey, showed every spoonful packs more or less of a compound known as phenolics, a natural anti-microbial agent responsible for honey's near infinite shelf life.

"Most honey doesn't expire," Kuzyk said, adding the amount of phenolic compounds in honey varies according to the kind of flowers that honey bees pollinate. Clover honey, for instance, is the most common honey on supermarket shelves because of its bland taste. But it also has the least amount of medicinal phenolic compounds.

Buckwheat honey has the most. Its strong flavour may have something to do with it's medicinal powers.

The finding fascinates Kuzyk because she wonders if honey has an indefinite shelf life. If so, it may be possible to extract the compound to use as medicine. Such a medicine could add years of vitality to the human life span -- like a kind of sticky fountain of youth.

"I'm very interested in organic medicine and in natural medicines," said Kuzyk. Kuzyk's findings are supported by thousands of years of experience with honey in traditional Chinese medicine. Doctors of the discipline know that honey is a tonic to build up energy known as qi and it strengthens the digestive system…

Sunday, April 29, 2007

Brazilian Propolis Displays Anti-Ulcer Activity

Pharma Investments, Ventures & Law Weekly, May 6, 2007

A report, "Baccharis dracunculifolia, the main botanical source of Brazilian green propolis, displays antiulcer activity," is newly published data in The Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. According to recent research from Brazil, "Baccharis dracunculifolia is the most important botanical source of Southeastern Brazilian propolis, known as green propolis for its colour. In a previous study, we described the gastric protective effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of Brazilian green propolis."

"We therefore wanted to investigate the possibility of using B. dracunculifolia extract for antiulcer treatment…

The percentage of ulcer inhibition was significantly higher in groups treated with B. dracunculifolia, cimetidine or omeprazole, with all protocols used, compared with negative control groups. Regarding the model of gastric secretion, reductions in the volume of gastric juice and total acidity were observed, as well as an increase in the gastric pH. These results were similar to results from studies carried out with green propolis extract," wrote M. Lemos and colleagues, University do Oeste of Santa Catarina.

The researchers concluded: "Although more investigations are required, our results suggest that B. dracunculifolia has potential to be used as a phytotherapic preparation for the treatment of gastric ulcer."

Lemos and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology (Baccharis dracunculifolia, the main botanical source of Brazilian green propolis, displays antiulcer activity. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 2007;59(4):603-8).

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Honey May Help in the Battle Against Superbugs

The Economist, April 28, 2007

HOSPITALS do more than house sick patients while they are treated. They also provide convenient havens for dangerous bacteria. Cramming infirm people into one place creates the ideal breeding ground for disease. Add a sprinkling of antibiotics and drug-resistant strains emerge­the superbugs that are endemic in many places. One doctor, however, thinks he has rediscovered an old weapon that could be useful in the fight against these nasties. It is honey.

Honey was commonly used in medicine before antibiotics became widespread. It is still used in the Antipodes; an Australian company makes a product called Medihoney for medicinal use. This formulation is a certified medicine in Europe, but has not been much used there because doctors developed a taste for prescribing conventional antibiotics.

Arne Simon of Bonn University Children's Clinic in Germany is now leading an international study to compare honey with existing drugs. The investigation will involve 150 patients in several countries including Britain, Germany and Australia.

Dr Simon has already used honey on 150 patients who were not responding to treatment, with some promising results. The patients were often children whose immune systems had been weakened by chemotherapy, which left their wounds from surgery vulnerable to infection. Around a third of them were also given some antibiotics at the same time as having their wounds dressed with honey. One patient, whose wounds had become infected by the potentially fatal strain of Staphylococcus aureus that is resistant to the antibiotic methicillin (MRSA), and who failed to respond to other drugs, was free of this superbug within 48 hours of receiving the honey treatment...

Friday, April 27, 2007

Propolis May be Used as a Food Preservative

Propolis to Make Jump from Health to Food Preservative?
By Stephen Daniells, Nutraingredients-USA (France), 4/26/2007

4/26/2007 - Propolis, the waxy resin collected by honeybees and currently marketed for its health benefits, could also find use as a natural food preservative, suggests new research.

Suspicion over chemical-derived synthetic preservatives has pushed food makers to source natural preservatives such as rosemary extract instead, and market analysts Global Information pitch the global food preservative market at €422.7bn, reaching €522bn by 2008.

"It may be concluded that, the ethanolic extract of propolis tested, in the performed experimental conditions may successfully inhibit the E. coli development in vitro, at safe levels for human consumption and, consequently, they could be useful as ground fresh beef natural preserver or as unspecific antibacterial food preserver," wrote lead author Enzo Tosi in the journal Food Chemistry.

Tosi and his co-workers from Argentina's National University if Technology looked at the effect of Argentinian propolis extracts against Ecoli, and thereby as a preservative for foods.

"Most propolis components are natural constituents of food and recognized as safe substances," added Tosi…

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Malaysia to Study Medicinal Properties of ‘Wild’ Honey

Research on Wild Honey for Medicinal Values
The Star (Malaysia), 4/26/2007

THE Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (Fama) has signed an agreement with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Kubang Kerian in Kelantan, to conduct research on wild honey for medical purposes.

Fama chairman Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri said that the two-year study, which started three months ago, focused on ‘tualang’ honey collected from Kedah...

Abdul Rahim said nine types of studies, including on the usage of honey to cure diabetes, respiratory infection, heal wounds, burns and skin diseases, would be performed by USM.

He said that a USM team would check honey consumption by haj pilgrims in the coming haj season to see if it could prevent respiratory infection…

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Article Outlines Medicinal Uses of Manuka Honey

Sweet Wonder of Honey
By Tania Alexander, The Daily Express (UK), 4/24/2007

…Manuka honey, made by bees that collect pollen from the manuka bush in New Zealand, is the only honey to be scientifically graded for its medicinal properties.

Professor Peter Molan of the University of Waikato in New Zealand claims manuka honey has powerful antibacterial qualities.

Taken internally it can treat digestive disorders such as stomach ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome. It can also be used externally to encourage wounds to heal.

Different strengths of honey are graded according to their unique manuka factor (UMF), which is used to classify their anti-bacterial strengths.

A honey with a UMF of 20+ is equivalent in potency to a 20 per cent solution of phenol (a common antiseptic). For medicinal purposes it is best to use a honey with a minimum UMF of 10+.

Here are some ways that manuka honey can benefit you:

HEALS SKIN

It can be applied topically to leg ulcers and wounds. Active manuka honey with UMF is about twice as effective as other honeys against bacteria Escherichia coli and staphylococcus aureus, which are the most common cause of infected wounds. It can also remove MRSA and, if used post surgery, can prevent and speed up the healing of the wound. ..

SETTLES STOMACHS

Manuka honey is gentle on the gut.

Taken internally, it can help rehydrate and calm the body after diarrhoea, food poisoning and vomiting. It can prevent the growth of E. coli, pseudomonas, salmonella and staphylococcus, bacteria responsible for an upset stomach.

If you think you have eaten something suspect, try a few teaspoons of a high-factor manuka. If your gut is acting up take a tablespoon of manuka three or four times a day. ..

EASES SORE THROATS

…One teaspoon taken three times a day and kept in the mouth for as long as possible before swallowing can, according to Professor Molan, prevent many throat infections from developing.

PREVENTS GUM DISEASE

…Professor Molan recommends rubbing it onto the gums after brushing or diluting it up to 50 times to use as a mouthwash (if over the age of two).

FIGHTS VIRUSES

It is thought to have the ability to stimulate the immune system to help fight infection. Research is being done into developing nebulisers and bronchila inhalers to enable the honey to get deep inside the bronchial passages and fight viral infections…

New Zealand Honey Personal Care Products Offered in America

Apicare Launches Natural Products in the US
By Simon Pitman, Cosmetic Design (France), 4/24/2007

4/25/2007- Capitalizing on increasing interest in natural-based personal care products from New Zealand, Apicare has launched a total of ten personal care lines featuring Manuka honey in the United States and Mexico.

The New Zealand company's decision to launch in North America follows hot on the heals of another New Zealand personal care company, Parrs Product, which last month launched a line of skin care products based on indigenous plant extracts…

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

US Firm Committed to Promote Honey Wound Treatment Product Line

Derma Sciences CEO Stresses Commitment to Manuka Honey for Wound Care at Comvita Ltd. Annual Meeting
Business Wire, 4/23/2007

Derma Sciences, Inc. (OTCBB: DSCI), a manufacturer and supplier of wound and skin care products, announced that Chairman, President and CEO Edward J. Quilty spoke at the April 20, 2007 annual meeting of Comvita LTD, a New Zealand based natural health products company. Derma Sciences is Comvita Ltd.'s worldwide manufacturing and marketing partner for Active Manuka Honey based wound care products, manufacturing and marketing the Derma Sciences' API-MED brand in North, South, Central and Latin America, while manufacturing and marketing for the global market under the Comvita name. Quilty was introduced by Comvita's CEO Brett Hewlett and he discussed Derma's strategy before approximately 200 Comvita shareholders. Quilty's presence in New Zealand was in conjunction with his attendance at Comvita's global product launch conference where thought leaders from around the world discussed the antimicrobial and wound healing properties of Active Manuka Honey.

Quilty's comments at the Comvita annual meeting conveyed Derma Science's commitment to the Active Manuka Honey product line, stating that upon FDA clearance of Derma Sciences' Active Manuka Honey based dressing (currently under review), the Company plans a major launch of the product under the API-MED brand as part of Derma Sciences overall strategy to advance wound care through the use of innovative technology. Derma Sciences plans to add nine new sales representatives in North America, bringing to 15 the total number of reps, and to add to that number as the product gains market acceptance. The initial target market for Derma Sciences' Active Manuka Honey based product line is expected to be the current market for Silver based dressings. The global market for Silver based dressings is estimated to be $150 million annually…

Bee Sting Reaction Can Be Prevented

The Cumberland Times-News (USA), 4/22/2007

…The risk of a serious reaction to bee stings can be nearly eliminated in only a few months, but several years of monthly treatment is recommended for lifelong benefits.

Venom shots are one of the most successful, and least recognized, treatments in medicine.

Risk of severe reaction from a sting can be reduced from 70 percent to less than 5 percent. All of this can be safely done by board-certified allergists…

Monday, April 23, 2007

Keeping Cool with a Honey Face Scrub


Salon Tips to Beat the Heat
The Statesman (India), 4/23/2007

NOW that the summer is here, everyone is looking for ways to feel and look cool. Here are some tip you can follow…

Use a face and body scrub at least twice a week to help remove dead cells that tend to stick to your skin because you perspire so much more when it is hot. A very good scrub can be made by mixing one tablespoon each of sandalwood powder and poppy seed with two tablespoons of honey. It will leave your skin feeling soft and silky and absolutely clean.

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Apitherapy: Can Bee Stings and Honey Heal?

Georgie Binks, CBC (Canada), 4/3/2007

Apitherapy has been around since the early Egyptians used bee products for a variety of ailments, but in recent years, complementary medicine has been experimenting more with the potential benefits of honey, beeswax, royal jelly — and even bee venom delivered directly from the insect.

Many in the medical establishment are sceptical of claims of medical benefits from bee products, especially apitoxin (bee venom). However, apitherapy has quite a following in eastern Europe and the Far East, and enthusiasts say it is slowly gaining popularity in Canada. In fact, they've even designated World Apitherapy Day on March 30 — the birthday of Phillip Terc, a European physician who was born in 1844 and was the first scientific researcher to investigate the medical uses of apitoxin.

Annie van Alten — who lives north of Hamilton in Carlisle, Ont. — is one of the believers. She and her partner have been beekeepers for 26 years. As an apitherapist, she uses bee venom therapy to treat people suffering from arthritis or multiple sclerosis.

"When you have an inflammation, you use bee venom to get the blood flowing. It releases tension in the joints," she explained.

Van Alten administers bee stings to her family members and tried them out on herself when she suffered from severe arthritis…

University of Guelph entomology professor Gard Otis said he has seen people benefit from using bee venom, but warned of the dangers of allergic reactions.

Honey, on the other hand, got a much sweeter review. Otis said honey can be used quite effectively for wound dressings on burns and cuts.

"It creates a barrier on wounds," he said. "Something in it stimulates wound healing — it moisturizes and once the fluids mix with the wounds, one of the enzymes becomes active and breaks down the sugars and creates hydrogen peroxide."

The curative powers of honey depend on which plants bees have been visiting, which is never a sure thing…

Saturday, April 21, 2007

Swiss Apitherapy Course in French

Swiss Apitherapy Association
November 2-4, 2007

Organized by “La Ruche”

Speakers:

Dr. Stefan Stangaciu, President of the German Apitherapy Society
Ms. Claudette Raynal, Specialist in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Apitherapy

Contact: irofya@hotmail.com

Friday, April 20, 2007

Royal Jelly and Aging

Antioxidative Action of Royal Jelly in the Yeast Cell
Experimental Gerontology, 2007 Feb 20

Royal jelly is a bee product, secreted from the hypopharingeal and mandibular glands of worker bees. There are many reports on pharmacological activities of royal jelly in experimental animals, but there are few about its antioxidative properties connected to aging. The aim of the work was to investigate the antioxidative action of royal jelly in the cell of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model organism...

Results showed that royal jelly decreased intracellular oxidation in a dose dependent manner. Additionally it affected growth and cell energy metabolic activity in a growth phase dependent manner. Protein profile analysis showed that royal jelly in the cell does not act only as a scavenger of reactive oxygen species, but it also affects protein expression...

Apitherapy Popular in Indonesia

JAKARTA, INDONESIA - An apitherapy practitioner administers a bee sting to the hand of a patient at Cibubur Bee Center on April 15, 2007 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Bee acupuncture or apitherapy, is an alternative healing practice where bee stings are used as treatment for various conditions and diseases. Apitherapy, which was first practiced in China, has developed as a popular alternative healing method in Indonesia. (Photo by Dimas Ardian/Getty Images)

Thursday, April 19, 2007

New Zealand, Australian Honey Wound Treatment Firms to Merge

Comvita to Buy Australian Firm Medihoney
The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia), 4/19/2007

Natural healthcare products company Comvita is to buy Australian firm Medihoney in an $A6 million deal.

The move was aimed at securing a global competitive position in the wound care sector, Bay of Plenty-based Comvita said.

The acquisition would be paid for with $A5.5 million in Comvita shares and $A500,000 in cash.

It was subject to due diligence, regulatory approval and approval by the shareholders of Medihoney's owner, Capilano Honey.

The deal would give Capilano Honey a shareholding of just above 8 per cent in Comvita.

Medihoney's primary business, which started in 1999, was developing products for protecting and healing skin using biologically active honeys or products made from honey derivatives, Comvita said...

Propolis Recommended for Storage, Transport of Knocked-Out Teeth

Effect of Propolis on Survival of Periodontal Ligament Cells: New Storage Media for Avulsed Teeth
Journal of Endodontics, 2007 May;33(5):570-3

Propolis is a multifunctional material used by bees in the construction and maintenance of their hives. Propolis possesses several biologic activities such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, antifungal, antiviral, and tissue regenerative, among others.

The purpose of this study was to determine the ability of propolis to serve as a temporary storage medium for the maintenance of periodontal ligament (PDL) cell viability of avulsed teeth.

PDL cells were obtained from healthy third molars and cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagles Medium (DMEM). Cultures were subjected to 10% propolis solution, 20% propolis solution, long-shelf life light milk with lower fat content (milk), Hank's Balanced Salt Solution, tap water as the negative control, and DMEM as the positive control…

The results showed that 10% propolis was a more effective storage medium than other groups. In conclusion, propolis can be recommended as a suitable transport medium for avulsed teeth.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

U.S. Conferences to Feature Lectures on Wound Healing with Honey


Leading Wound Care Experts to Discuss Benefits of Manuka Honey in Wound Treatment
Business Wire, 4/17/2007

PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Derma Sciences, Inc. (OTCBB: DSCI), a manufacturer and supplier of wound and skin care products, announced that several sessions on the use of Active Manuka Honey in chronic wounds will be incorporated into the agenda at the upcoming American Professional Wound Care Association’s (APWCA) 2007 National Clinical Conference in Philadelphia, April 19-22…

Derma Sciences notes in particular the attendance of Dr. Rose Cooper, BSc, PhD, PGCE, CBiol, MIBiol, FRSA, a microbiologist and Principal Lecturer at the Cardiff School of Health Sciences at the University of Wales Institute and Val Robson, RGN, BSc (Hons), Dip HE, DNCertQuick, a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Leg Ulcer Care at Aintree Hospital Trust, Liverpool, UK. Dr. Cooper’s research at Cardiff includes wound infection and the role of micro-organisms in wound healing, the antibacterial properties of honey and the influence of honey on the wound healing process. Ms. Robson’s role at Aintree includes clinical assessment of all vascular and wound patients as well as lecturing on leg ulcer management, tissue viability and vascular nursing.

On Thursday, April 19, the AWPCA will feature Robson and Cooper in three one-hour discussions on “The Use of Active Manuka Honey in Wound Care”. On Friday, April 20, the two will deliver a lecture entitled “Can Something as Sweet as Honey Be Effective for Wound Care? Active Manuka Honey: Powerful for All Phases of Wound Healing.”

This represents the first time that the topic of honey for medical use is on the agenda at a major US-based wound conference…

Honey will also be featured on the agenda at one of the most globally prestigious wound care conferences, the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC), in Tampa, April 28 - May 1. "The evidence supporting the use of honey in modern wound care" will be a topic within the "AAWC International Forum: Small World -- Big Opportunities" session. This session will be chaired by global thought leaders Jose Contreras-Ruiz, MD, and Keith Cutting, MN, RN, and Cert Ed.

Cell Phones Hurting Bee Populations?

Apiculture World Abuzz Over Theory That Cellphone Radiation May Be Killing Bees
Sheryl Ubelacker, Canadian Press, 4/17/2007

TORONTO (CP) — A mysterious malady that is causing honeybees to disappear en masse from their hives in parts of North America and Europe may be linked to radiation from cellphones and other high-tech communications devices, a study by German researchers suggests.

While the theory has created a lot of buzz in the beekeeping world, apiarists say there could be any number of reasons why the bees are deserting their hives and presumably dying off in large numbers, including changing weather patterns and mite or other kinds of infestations...

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Propolis Compounds May Boost Growth of Neural Stem Cells

Research Showing Increasing Neural Stem Cell Activity with Ppls Brings Hope for Alzheimer's Cure, Implications for Memory Enhancement
BiotechEast (Taiwan), 4/16/2007

Early-stage study in Taipei, Taiwan, on PPLs--a group of prenylflavanone compounds--extracted from bee propolis specific to the island, has shown the compounds provide a boosting effect on the growth of neural stem cells. This research has exciting implications for neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Lou Gehrig's diseases, as well as in the study of memory enhancement.

A large number of neurons grew with the addition of one of the neurotrophic factors identified by NatureWise into the growth media.

Professor Lin Jen-kun of National Taiwan University Hospital, together with his students Dr. Wu Chia-li, and Dr. Chen Chia-nan, were the first to find that these PPls had cytotoxic properties against cancer cells. Further study by Chen, now head of research at Taipei-based NatureWise Biotech & Medicals Corp., additionally found the compounds to have a set of interesting neurotrophic effects, such as maintaining the survival of neural stem cells, promoting neuronal growth, lengthening of neurites, and inducing these stem cells to strongly differentiate into neurons.

NatureWise held a press event at the end of March in Taipei, Taiwan, to introduce an over-the-counter healthfood containing the propolis from which the PPLs were extracted along with other ingredients shown to have memory-boosting qualities, named 'IQBLESS.' While marketing the product in Taiwan, the company plans to continue researching the PPLs with the intent of eventually developing new drug forms for neurological disorders and memory enhancement…

Antibiotic-Resistant Staph Infections May Be Helped By Medicinal Honey

Dr. Andrew Weil, The Vancouver Sun (Canada), 4/16/2007

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?

DR. WEIL: The bacterium Staphylococcus aureus is often found on the skin and in the noses of healthy people, and may or may not cause problems. 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...

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.

Monday, April 16, 2007

NC Apitherapy Conference to Explore Healing with Honey Bee Hive Products


Research Triangle Park, North Carolina to host April 26–29 apitherapy training and conference of the American Apitherapy Society

(April 16, 2007) - Medical doctors, researchers, beekeepers and a spectrum of holistic practitioners will gather April 26-29, 2007, at the Radisson Hotel/Research Triangle Park in the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina for the 12th annual Charles Mraz Apitherapy Course & Conference (CMACC) sponsored by the American Apitherapy Society (AAS).

The Thursday evening through Saturday morning course provides a basic understanding of the therapeutic use of products of the beehive -- including honey, pollen, propolis, royal jelly and bee venom therapy using live honeybees. The Saturday and Sunday conference will look at more advanced techniques, protocols and international advances in the field of apitherapy.

Members of the media are invited, with prior arrangements, to attend course and conference sessions and AAS faculty are available for interviews.

One of the most ancient of all healing modalities, apitherapy is gaining increased attention worldwide as the efficacy of the hive products and treatments becomes better known. The AAS, www.apitherapy.org, is a nonprofit membership organization established for the purpose of advancing apitherapy. The CMACC has been named in memory of Charles Mraz, an American pioneer in the use of bee venom to treat diseases. The fee for the course and conference is $275, and includes a one-year AAS membership. To register, contact the AAS at 4835 Van Nuys Blvd., Suite 100, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403; Phone: (818) 501-0446; FAX: (818) 995-9334; Email: info@apitherapy.org

Media Contact: Frederique Keller, Vice President, American Apitherapy Society
Phone: (631) 351-3521; E-Mail: Kellerf@optonline.net

Charles Mraz Apitherapy Course & Conference Schedule:

Thursday, April 26

6:00 PM - Registration
7:00 PM - Welcome Dinner
8:30 PM - Intro to CMACC (Dr. Andrew Kochan)

Friday, April 27: Apitherapy Course

7:00 AM - Continental Breakfast (for all)
8:00 AM - Welcome (Dr. Andrew Kochan)
8:20 AM - Honey (Dr. Vetaley Stashenko)
9:10 AM - Royal Jelly (Dr. Andrew Kochan)
10:00 AM - Break (snack for all)
10:30 AM - Pollen (Dr. Vetaley Stashenko)
11:15 AM - Bee Venom (Dr. Theo Cherbuliez)
12:00 PM - Propolis (Dr. Vetaley Stashenko)
1:00 PM - Lunch (on your own)
2:00 PM - Principles of Apitherapy (Jim Higgins)
2:45 PM - Informed Consent and Legal Issues (Dr. Theo Cherbuliez)
3:15 PM - Auto-immune Diseases (Dr. Andrew Kochan)
4:00 PM - Break (snack for all)
4:30 PM - Hands-on Bee Venom Therapy (Donald Downs & Jim Higgins)
4:30 PM - Ear Candling (Annie van Alten)
6:00 PM - Dinner (on your own)
7:30 PM - Board Meeting/Annual Meeting (open to all)
9:00 PM - Board meeting (closed session)
Evening Review for Examination

Saturday, April 28: Examination

7:00 AM - Continental Breakfast (for all)
8:00 AM - Examination (Faculty)
9:00 AM - Examination Correction (Faculty)
9:45 AM - Break (snack for all)

Saturday, April 28: Apitherapy Conference

10:15 AM - Apitherapy (Dr. Theo Cherbuliez)
11:15 AM - Lyme Disease (Reyah Carlson)
12:00 PM - Lunch (on your own)
1:00 PM - Recent Advances in Apitherapy (Dr. Theo Cherbuliez)
2:00 PM - Pain & Apitherapy (Dr. Andrew Kochan)
3:00 PM - Break (snack for all)
3:30 PM - Veterinary Apitherapy (Frederique Keller, L.Ac.)
4:15 PM - Micro-stinging Technique (Donald Downs)
5:00 PM - Homeopathy and Bees (Frederique Keller, L.Ac.)
5:45 PM - Preparation of Propolis Salves (Frederique Keller, L.Ac.)
6:00 PM - North Carolina Style Barbeque (for all)

Sunday, April 29: Apitherapy Conference

7:00 AM - Continental Breakfast (for all)
8:00 AM - Cleansing Detox (Frederique Keller, L.Ac.)
8:45 AM - Life Style and Weight Management (Dr. Theo Cherbuliez)
9:30 AM - Practical Apipuncture (Frederique Keller, L.Ac.)
10:15 AM - Break (snack for all)
10:45 AM - Advanced Bee Venom Therapy Case Studies (Frederique Keller, L.Ac.)
12:15 PM - Conclusion, Acknowledgments & Questions/Answers
1:00 PM - End of CMACC and Lunch (on your own)

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Honey Rivals Antibiotics

By Victoria Abreo, BellaOnline

Honey has been used for 5,000 years to treat many health conditions it is also the first food sweetener known to man. It is frequently mentioned in the Bible and is depicted in prehistoric cave paintings. The Romans and Greeks called honey “the nectar of the gods”. The Egyptian papyri are full of praise about the properties of honey (especially the medicinal value)…

How does honey heal?

Honey has bactericidal, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antibiotic, antifungal and antibacterial.

Honey's high sugar content kills many kinds of bacteria, including some antibiotic-resistant germs. Honey also forms a moist environment, which speeds healing of wounds and minimizes scarring.

What are some uses for honey?

A study by Robert Bloomfield, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, reports, "Applied every 2 to 3 days under a dry dressing, honey promotes healing of ulcers and burns better than any other local application. It can also be applied to other surface wounds, including cuts and abrasions..."

Heals abrasions, skin rashes and burns by drawing excess water from the tissues and reducing swelling. Honey also contains a germ-killing substance called inhibine, which helps prevent infections. Spread the honey directly on the wound and cover with a sterile bandage.

When applying honey over the affected area; you can cover the affected area with a dressing or a dusting of cornstarch to reduce any stickiness.

As a moisturizer - smooth a small amount of honey lightly over the skin; easily remove later with splashes of cold water or comfortable warm water. It will leave your skin baby soft.

As a bath and antibacterial soap - wash with honey straight from the jar and enjoy sparkling clean skin. Facial blemishes and acne caused by cosmetics or allergies will clear up quickly using a nightly treatment of honey. Only a small amount is needed.

Relaxing honey bath - Put 2 oz of honey in a glass with 5 drops of lavender oil. If the honey is too thick, heat it by placing the glass in warm water. Add 1 or 2 tablespoons of the honey-lavender mixture to your bathwater to help you relax and combat insomnia.

Hair and scalp treatment - apply honey (with or without olive oil) to dry or damp hair about one half hour before washing.

Dental care and mouth sores - cleans teeth, mouth and dentures and stops bleeding gums. Canker sores, blisters and mouth ulcers respond to application of raw honey.

For hay fever - honey contains grains of pollen that, over time, may have a desensitizing effect, making it useful for the relief of allergies. Hay fever sufferers are advised to eat honey that has been harvested locally.

For relief of asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory ailments -honey is an outstanding household remedy that can be used in combination with various medicinal herbs. For relief of coughs and wheezing associated with bronchitis or other minor respiratory ailments, mix 1 teaspoon of finely chopped fresh thyme in a little honey. Take the mixture as needed to soothe inflamed lungs and airways.

Saturday, April 14, 2007

US Firm Forms Adisory Board to Help Develop Honey Wound Dressing

Derma Sciences Appoints Clinical Advisory Board
Lab Business Week, 4/22/2007

Derma Sciences, Inc. (OTCBB: DSCI), a manufacturer and full line supplier of wound and skin care products, announced the formation of a Clinical Advisory Board to help guide the Company's clinical development strategy for its Active Manuka Honey (API-MED(TM)) line of dressings currently under review for 510K clearance, and its MOBILITY-1(TM) Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (IPC) Therapy device.

Comprised of US key opinion leaders in wound care, burn care, dermatology and vascular diseases and surgery, the Clinical Advisory Board will play an important role in guiding the upcoming launch of the Active Manuka Honey based product which, if approved, will be the first dressing with honey approved for medical use in the US. The Company believes Active Manuka Honey could represent a great improvement over current topical antimicrobials, including ionic silver…

"With the planned launch of our Active Manuka Honey based wound care products and the recently announced licensing agreement with the manufacturers of our MOBILITY-1(TM) branded product line, we have in place an aggressive plan to help drive market acceptance of these truly unique approaches to active wound care and the treatment of vascular diseases," said Edward J. Quilty, Chairman, President and CEO. “ The market for active wound care is the fastest growing segment of the $4 billion wound care market..."

Asian Hornets Theaten Honey Bees in France

Asian Hornets a New Menace in France
Paul Lauener and Marie-Laure Combes, Associated Press, 4/13/2007

Ambushing locals as they return home from work, foreign invaders are dismembering French natives and feeding them to their young.

This horror scenario is playing out in France's beehives, where an ultra-aggressive species of Asian hornets who likely migrated in pottery shipped from China may be threatening French honey production.

The hornets are thought to have reached France in 2004 after stowing away on a cargo boat, said Claire Villemant, a lecturer at Paris' Natural History Museum.

She said a France-based bonsai merchant traveled to the Yunnan province of southern China to buy ceramic pots for his trees.

"He saw the hornets in that region," she said. When he saw them again, they were buzzing around his property in the southwestern French village of Tonneins.

Since then, they hornets have been establishing themselves in their adopted country, concentrating mostly on building imposing nests…

The honeybees are beginning to mount a counteroffensive…They gather around an invading hornet, flap their wings to increase the temperature and effectively roast it.

Beekeepers also are fighting back they can change the size of the entrances to the hives so the smaller bees can get in but not the hornets…

Friday, April 13, 2007

Bee Venom Therapy Event to be held in Argentina

In May, the Argentinean Apitherapy Society, through its Commission on Bee Venom Therapy, will organize bee venom therapy event in Las Termas de Rio Hondo, Santiago del Estero.

For more information, contact Prof. Nestor Urtubey, who is an expert on the medicinal use of bee venom.

Prof. Urtubey’s e-mail address: farmlago@cybertermas.com.ar

Brazilian Propolis Extracts Effective Against Leishmaniasis

Effects of Brazilian propolis on Leishmania Amazonensis
Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz, 2007 Mar;102(2):215-20

Leishmaniasis, an endemic parasitosis that leads to chronic cutaneous, mucocutaneous or visceral lesions, is part of those diseases, which still requires improved control tools. Propolis has shown activities against different bacteria, fungi, and parasites. In this study we investigated the effect of four ethanolic extracts of typified propolis collected in different Brazilian states, on Leishmania amazonensis performing assays with promastigote forms, extracellular amastigotes, and on infected peritoneal macrophages…

Our results demonstrate, for the first time, that ethanolic extracts of Brazilian propolis reduce L. amazonensis infection in macrophages, and encourage further studies of this natural compound in animal models of leishmaniasis.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

New Honey-Based Medicine ‘Camelyn’ from the Georgian Republic

Camelyn is a special extract of a special honey that has tremendous value and diverse applicability in medicine. What differentiates Camelyn from other honeys and honey preparations is the patented manufacturing process and the honey itself.

Camelyn is produced from a honey found in a "special" region of Georgia. Its efficacy towards treating various medical conditions is unmatched in the world. The region where the honey is produced is pristine in terms of pollution and unique in terms of available wild native plants. The notoreity of the honey from this region has been documented in the most ancient of literary works.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Honey Dressings Healed Pressure Ulcers 4X Faster Than Comparison Group


Effectiveness of a Honey Dressing for Healing Pressure Ulcers
Journal of Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing, 2007 Mar-Apr;34(2):184-90

Objective: To compare the effect of a honey dressing vs an ethoxy-diaminoacridine plus nitrofurazone dressing in patients with pressure ulcers.

Design: This 5-week randomized clinical trial evaluated the effect of a honey dressing on pressure ulcer healing.

Setting and Subjects: Thirty-six patients with a total of 68 stage II or III pressure ulcers referred from a university hospital in Izmir were enrolled in the study. Twenty-six subjects completed the trial.

Instruments: Ulcers were measured with acetate tracings and Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) evaluations.

Methods: Fifteen patients with 25 pressure ulcers were treated with honey dressings, and 11 patients with 25 pressure ulcers were treated with ethoxy-diaminoacridine plus nitrofurazone dressings. Wound healing was assessed weekly using the PUSH tool, version 3.0. The primary outcome measure was the change in PUSH tool scores in each group at 5 weeks.

Results: The two groups were statistically similar with regard to baseline and wound characteristics. After 5 weeks of treatment, patients who were treated by honey dressing had significantly better PUSH tool scores than subjects treated with the ethoxy-diaminoacridine plus nitrofurazone dressing (6.55 +/- 2.14 vs 12.62 +/- 2.15, P < .001). Conclusion: By week 5, PUSH tool scores showed that healing among subjects using a honey dressing was approximately 4 times the rate of healing in the comparison group. The use of a honey dressing is effective and practical.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Case Study of Honey Treatment for Wounds

73-Year-Old Woman with a Pig Bite that Would Not Heal

Dr. Cristina Aosan (Romania)
E-Mail: draosan@gmail.com
Web: http://www.aosan.com/

Presented at: 5th German Apitherapy Congress, March 23-25, 2007, Passau, Germany

Remedies Used in Treatment:

1. Honey Directly in the Crater of the Wound

* cleans the wound of infection and necrotic parts
* kills the microbes
* stimulates the growth of the conjunctive tissue, so it fills the crater of the wound

2. Propolis Tincture on Wet Surfaces

*stimulates the normal epitelisation on the surface of the wound (used after the crater was filled with conjunctive tissue)
* shortens the time of healing
* kills the microbes

3. Propolis Ointment on Dried Surfaces

4. Herbal Oil on All Parts of the Wound

* anti-allergy, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial
* anesthetic
* helps rebuild the damaged tissues

Before and After:

Beginning of Treatment - February 11, 2006

The wound, five days after the accident, treated at home with antiseptic solutions - infected wound, necrotic tissues.

Treatment with honey (in the crater) and propolis (on margins), made once a day. The wound begins to clean. On the margins the skin starts to regenerate.

End of Treatment - April 7, 2006



Monday, April 09, 2007

Honey Injections Used to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis

Honey Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Case Study

Presented at: 5th German Apitherapy Congress, March 23-25, 2007, Passau, Germany

Mamdouh Abdulmaksoud Mohamed Abdulrhman, Professor of Pediatrics,
Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Abbasia, Cairo, Egypt
E-Mail: mamdouh565@hotmail.com

Among honey benefits are its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and wound healing effects. Therefore it is worthwhile to try honey in treating the disease.

Case study:

A 33 year-old woman, working as a nurse assistant, has had rheumatoid factor positive rheumatoid arthritis of 5 years duration. She had been on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (diclofenac sodium 50 mg twice daily) and steroids for the first 3 years and thereafter she started to receive the antimetabolite methotrexate IM every week + folic acid and steroids were stopped. She presented to my clinic on November 30, 2005 seeking for an alternative treatment because of poor response to the medicines in addition to its side effects (e.g., hair falling). Upon presentation she had pain and stiffness of the small joints of the hands (metacarpophalangeal, proximal and distal interphalangeal) and feet (metatarsophalangeal). The wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees, and ankles were also affected. The patient was feeling tired and unwell and the pain and stiffness were significantly worse in the morning. The temporomandibular joints were also involved. The weight was 83 kg and height 153 cm (body mass index = 35.5). Blood pressure was 100/70. Both rheumatoid factor (RF), antinuclear antibody (ANA) and anti smooth muscle antibody (ASMA) were positive. The RF was 256 IU/ml (reference range = 0-8 IU/ml).The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was 90 and 130 in the 1st and 2nd hour respectively. The anti-double stranded DNA was negative. The TLC = 5061/mm3, Hb = 11.5 g/dl, platelets = 193000/mm3, BUN = 8(N = 7-18), serum creatinine = 0.7 mg/dl, AST (SGOT) = 52 IU/L (N = 10-42), ALT (SGPT) = 64 IU/L (N =10-40), ASOT = 400 IU/ml. HBsAg and HCV-Ab were negative. Urinalysis was normal. Echocardiography showed mild mitral regurge. Clinically the murmur was not heard and there were no signs of heart failure.

The following plan of management was discussed with the patient and her husband and they agreed:

1. Stoppage of all medicines
2. Bee honey therapy (BHT) both orally and intravenously.

Oral honey was started in doses of 50 ml dissolved in water and given before meals two times daily. Intravenous honey was started by a 5% solution and gradually increased by 5% every week up to 20% concentration. The solution was given by slow IVI in a peripheral vein over 3 minutes. The dose of oral honey was reduced to 75 ml/day when the concentration of IV honey reached 20%.

The management was started on 3/12/05. After stoppage of medicines and start of BHT the joint pains increased and after 10 days the patient started to feel improvement in all joints except the knees and ankles. The back pain was still present but the morning stiffness disappeared. On 24/12/05 she developed intercostal myositis and costochondritis which improved after one week without modification in the plan of management. Thereafter the pains improved. As the work performance also improved the frequency of work absences significantly decreased.

On 30/1/06, i.e. after 2 months of BHT she was found to be 8 weeks pregnant. The BHT was continued both orally and intravenously. The leg and back pains recurred at variable intervals (for a few days every one to two weeks) but they were less severe and much more tolerable than before. On 8/4/06 she developed mild pitting edema in the dorsa of feet. The blood pressure was 105/70 and urinalysis did not show proteinurea. Throughout pregnancy the pitting edema showed little increase and the blood pressure and urinalysis remained normal. The last injection during pregnancy was given on 22/7/06 and on 15/8/06 she delivered a girl of 3.25 kg. The baby was in a good general condition and examination did not show any abnormality…

Reactions to Honey Injections:

The first injection given to the patient was on 3/12/06 and it was 5 ml bee honey solution 5%. About 2 hours after this injection she developed low grade fever (37.8 °C) and shivering which lasted for about 30-60 minutes and disappeared spontaneously. Thereafter she felt generalized body aches and increase in the joint pains which lasted for about 8-12 hours and resolved also spontaneously. The 2nd injection was 10% solution and was not followed by fever or rigors but body aches and increased joint pains occurred in the same manner as after the 1st injection. The 3rd injection was 15% and was followed by reactions similar to the 1st injection. Since 24/12/05 to the present she has been receiving 20% concentration. Transient body aches and joint pains followed nearly every injection but transient fever and chills followed only some injections. On the other hand few injections were followed by pain and hotness along the course of injection and they disappeared spontaneously after a few minutes. A total of 46 honey injections were given to the patient since the start of BHT. Neither anaphylaxis nor other life threatening reaction followed any injection.

Discussion:

Three in four women with rheumatoid arthritis experience significant improvement in symptoms when pregnant, usually with a recurrence after delivery. In this patient the onset of bee honey therapy was nearly coincident with the onset of pregnancy. So the improvement which followed honey therapy might be due to honey or/and pregnancy. The patient was lucky as she stopped methotrexate before pregnancy because methotrexate may have a teratogenic effect on the fetus. Thirty four honey injections were given during pregnancy without adverse effects on the mother or fetus, as she delivered a 3.25 kg full term normal baby. The reactions followed honey injections were both specific and non specific16. When she stopped honey therapy for two months (two weeks before delivery and 6 weeks after), the symptoms recurred and she presented with heart failure. This recurrence might be due to stoppage of honey therapy or/and the natural course of the disease. However the improvement noticed after resumption of honey indicates, on clinical grounds, that honey may have beneficial effects in both rheumatoid arthritis and heart failure. The patient remained on honey therapy for nearly 6 months after delivery with nearly normal life style and without complications. Treatment should be guided by individual clinical response to various interventions. Changes in hemoglobin, ESR, and CRP may serve as helpful indicators of response to treatment, but platelet count and rheumatoid factor levels tend not to correlate well. In this patient the ESR and CRP are still high despite clinical improvement. Therefore ESR and CRP may not serve as helpful indicators of response to honey therapy.

Sunday, April 08, 2007

Propolis Extract May Boost Anti-Tumor Activity of Cancer Drug

Enhanced Antitumor Activity of Irinotecan Combined with Propolis and its Polyphenolic Compounds on Ehrlich Ascites Tumor in Mice
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 2007 Mar 12

The effects of the anticancer drug irinotecan combined with ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP), a water-soluble derivate of propolis (WSDP), quercetin and naringin on the growth of Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) and the life span of tumor-bearing Swiss albino mice were studied…

The results clearly demonstrate the synergistic action of irinotecan and EEP on survival time. These results suggest that clinical trials using a propolis preparation EEP combined with irinotecan may be beneficial in maximizing antitumor activity and minimizing post-chemotherapeutic reactions to the cytostatic drug.

Saturday, April 07, 2007

Fresh Pollen Offers Best Therapeutic and Nutritional Benefits

The Probiotic Effect of Rock Rose Pollen Frozen in a Fresh State
Prof. Jost Dustmann (Germany)

Presented at: 5th German Apitherapy Congress, March 23-25, 2007, Passau, Germany

See also: http://www.pollenergie.fr/

* The pollen is harvested in Spain in the Extremadura Mountains.
* This is a very well-protected and totally wild area.
* The dominant variety is Cistus Ladaniferus.
* This pollen is usually virtually mono-floral and of an orange colour. However, small quantities of very dark violet pollen from viper’s bugloss (Echium vulgare) may be present in samples of rock rose pollen.
Each flower produces a large amount of pollen.
* The bee leaves the hive with its crop full of nectar that is rich in lactobacteria and yeasts. By moistening the pollen that it gathers from flowers with this nectar the bee effectively inoculates the pollen with lactobacteria and yeasts.

The Role of Fermenting Agents in Bee Pollen:

* More than 30 million years ago bees developed a method of preserving a food that is richer in protein than meat or fish at a temperature of 36°C in an extremely humid atmosphere.
* Lactobacteria and yeasts in fresh rock rose pollen serve to restore the balance of lactic acid bacteria in the right colon in humans - a protective effect on health.
* Fresh pollen has a protective effect: pathogenic bacteria cannot multiply.
* With dry pollen there is significant growth of pathogenic bacteria. We cannot therefore expect any protection of the intestinal flora from dry pollen.

Probiotic and Prebiotic Effects of Fresh Rock Rose Pollen:

* The intestines are a filter with an area of 300 to 400 square metres and consists of a single layer of cells. These cells are associated with bacteria which affect the operation of the filter.
* Protection of the intestinal mucous membrane can prevent Crohn’s disease in humans:
1. Due to yeasts and lactic acid bacteria.
2. Due to the high levels of carotenoids and xanthophylls in rock rose pollen.
3. Due to very high vitamin E content: 27.8 mg /100 g (corresponding to 40% of the recommended daily allowance in 15 g of pollen).

Effect of Treatment with Dry and Fresh Pollen on the Macroscopic Lesion Score (MLS) in Induced Colitis:

Rats that were given food supplemented with fresh pollen had 40% less lesions on the mucous membrane in the large colon.

Fresh Pollen is FULLY digested:

* When bees collect pollen from flowers it is a light powder. They form this powder into pellets by moistening it with nectar, which is 30 to 40% sugar.
* This sugar is gradually absorbed by the pollen cells.
* When the pollen is placed in water or saliva it absorbs water and then bursts in a process known as osmotic shock.
* Bee bread is pollen that has been lacto-fermented in the hive.
* The cytoplasm which is released from the pollen cell and the antioxidants on its exterior are digestible. * Only the cellulose structure will be evacuated in the stools. It is not at all necessary to lacto-ferment pollen in order to render it digestible.
* Bee bread, like fresh pollen, has high nutritional value but is very difficult to harvest. It is a highly fermented product that is rich in B group vitamins and vitamin K (necessary for blood clotting).

Rock Rose Pollen and Allergies:

* Rock rose pollen is, of course, harvested by bees. It belongs to the family of entomophilous pollens.
* Such pollen has developed as an ideal food for insects; as a food it does not contain any toxins (allergens), and so is unlikely to cause allergies.
* Even better, it is high in vitamin E which, after daily consumption for three weeks, lowers the level of IgE in the blood due to pollen that is windborne (anemophilous). Rock rose pollen is thus very likely to reduce allergic reactions when consumed at an increased dose of 30g/day.

Loss of Bees Threatens a Fatal Sting for Us All

By Julie Deardorff, Chicago Tribune (USA), 4/7/2007

But bees do more than just put food on our plates. Beeswax is used to make pharmaceuticals. Honey, which has wound-healing and antioxidant properties, and other bee products have been a staple in folk medicine for thousands of years. And bee products, including bee pollen and propolis, are among the best medicinal foods we can eat, according to Jonny Bowden's new book, "The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth" (Fair Winds Press, $24.99).

Here's a closer look at bee products.

_Honey: The health benefits depend on how it's processed and the quality of the plants the bees visit. Raw honey typically retains more of the healthful phytochemicals, and Berenbaum has shown that dark honey has more illness-fighting antioxidants than light honey. Honey also can remove bacteria from infected wounds and even improve oral health.

_Bee pollen: Often called "nature's most perfect food" because it contains all eight essential amino acids, bee pollen comes from the male germ cell of flowering plants. Bee pollen boasts more amino acids and vitamins than beef, eggs or cheese and also contains almost all known minerals, trace elements and enzymes. It also has flavonoids that have significant antioxidant properties.

_Propolis: An antimicrobial used in products such as toothpaste, propolis is created after bees collect a resinous sap from trees. The clever bees glue it on the hive to block out viruses and bacteria, and research shows that humans also can benefit from its antibacterial and antifungal effects. Propolis can help with the common cold, gastrointestinal infections, upper-respiratory-tract infections, and it can enhance the immune system, according to the "Condensed Encyclopedia of Healing Foods" (Pocket Books, $7.99), which lists food prescriptions for common ailments.

Friday, April 06, 2007

Swiss Company Developing New Treatment for Bee Venom Allergy

Allerb Anergis Partnering Opportunity, Worldwide
By Reymond, Dr Christophe, R & D Focus Drug News, 4/2/2007

Anergis is developing AllerB for the potential treatment of bee venom allergy. An exploratory phase I trial in nine bee venom allergic patients has completed in Switzerland, and a phase II trial is expected to begin in 2009. Anergis' AllerB uses the company's immunotherapy technology based on the use of allergen-derived Contiguous Overlapping Peptides (COP) which act by re-programming the immune response towards tolerance. COPs have the potential to be safer than classical native allergens, extract-based products, used in specific immunotherapy (also commonly known as desensitization). Dr Christophe Reymond, COO at Anergis, told R&D Focus during an interview conducted at BioSquare 2007, 12-14 March 2007, Lyon, France, that AllerB is available for partnering, worldwide.

Polish Institute to Host Conference on Apiculture


XLIVth Scientific Apicultural Conference
Research Institute of Pomology and Floriculture, Apiculture Division, Pulawy, Poland

Invitation: It is a pleasure and privilege for us to invite you to attend the XLIVth Scientific Apicultural Conference which is to be held in Puławy, Poland at 24 - 25 April 2007. Conference fee is 150 zl, for students - 70 zl.

We invite you to come to Pulawy and present your results of reasearch on Conference (poster). Summaries ( in English) should include to 5000 characters and should be written in Ms Word. Dead-line of sending summaries - 1st March 2007 to e-mail address: piotr.skubida@man.pulawy.pl

Comparison of Antibiotic and Organoleptic Properties of Honey from Various Plant Sources in Thailand
Journal of Apicultural Science, Vol. 50 No. 2 2006

Summary: Honey has been wildly used for apitherapy, especially in traditional medicine. Honey properties are different due to floral sources. Honey from longan flower Dimocarpus longan L. (LH), sunflower Helianthus annuus (SH), wild flower (WH), and April honey (AH) was selected. LH contains the highest amount of proline (26.79 ± 1.14 μg/ml) and this coincides with the smell. AH contains the lowest percentage of inverted sugar (15.81 ± 0.18) and this coincides with the taste. Honey diluted at 25%, 50%, 75% (v/v), and neat was prepared and used to test against the growth of Escherichia coli by an agar well-diffusion bioassay. WH at neat and dilution of 75% (v/v) and AH at neat present the most effective activity. At 25% and 50% (v/v) dilutions, honey from all types indicate the same activity but at 75% (v/v) dilution and neat, they perform significantly different activities. These obtained characters may be responsible for the difference of honey and may form the first criteria for a purchasing decision by a consumer.

Protein Content and Amino Acids Composition of Bee-Collected Pollen Originating from Poland, South Korea and China
Journal of Apicultural Science, Vol. 50 No. 2 2006
Summary: The objective of the study was to determine the crude protein content and amino acid composition in bee-collected pollen from selected areas of Poland, South Korea and China. A total of 27 samples of pollen were examined after collection by bees…

As the study showed, regardless of which part of the world it comes from, be-collected pollen contains high content of such amino acids as: glutamic acid, proline, aspartic acid, leucine and lysine. These amino acids account for about 50% of the total amino acids…Because it is rich in highly nutritious proteins (CS=80%, EAAI=110%), honeybee-collected pollen is recommended as a dietary supplement.

Thursday, April 05, 2007

Propolis Used to Treat Colds in UK

Cold Cure is Bee’s Knees
By Rachael Clegg, The York Press (UK), 4/4/2007

There's no cure for the common cold - or is there?

A honey farm in North Yorkshire may have a surprising answer to this age-old conundrum.

For the industrious bee has become a major player in the health industry - thanks partly to a Thirsk venture, which has helped put a substance called propolis on the sector's map.

Propolis is collected by bees from buds and trees, which is blended with wax flakes secreted from glands on their abdomens.

The natural antiseptic substance, which is pliable and sticky when warm, is then used by bees to line the interior cells of hives, creating an area protected from outside environments, in preparation for the queen's egg laying.

With humans it can be equally useful, acting as a remedy for eczema, sore throats, the treatment of burns - and also for the common cold.

Mike Spencer, manager of Bee Health honey farm in Thirsk, said: "We have thousands of customers who say they have been taking propolis for more than ten years, and haven't had a cold since."...

African Bees: A Bad Rep Doesn't Include Honey

By Gwen Thompkins, National Public Radio (USA), 4/4/2007

All Things Considered, April 4, 2007 · The African bee has the reputation of being more aggressive, and more deadly, than any other bee in the world. But farmers there know that the honey the bees produce is worth a million stings.

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

American Entrepreneur Imports Healing Manuka Honey

Health: Manuka Honey

Stephanie Stahl, CBS 3 (USA), 4/3/07

(CBS 3) PHILADELPHIA In health, there is an all natural antibiotic that it already popular overseas and it is just now starting to catch on here in the states. Medical Reporter Stephanie Stahl has more on the sweet and gooey remedy.

There's a new buzz about honey but this isn't your everyday variety.

Manuka Honey comes only from New Zealand and some research has shown it has special healing powers.

"I'm living proof it works. I've never endorsed anything in my life. I'm telling you this honey works," Chef Joseph said.

Shilling uses the honey to heal burns on his hands, an occupational hazard. And a spoonful a day has cured his acid reflux…

Manuka honey contains antibiotic properties and has been used overseas to treat everything from stomach ailments to skin sores.

Fiona Nelson started a new business from her home in Malvern importing Manuka honey, selling it for $38 a jar…

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

U.S. Congress Investigates Honey Bee Colony Collapse Disorder

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Dennis Cardoza, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture, held a hearing to investigate colony collapse disorder in honey bee colonies across the United States.

Colony collapse disorder (CCD) is characterized by the sudden die-off of honey bee colonies. The cause of CCD has not been determined, and the Subcommittee heard about the situation and its impact on agriculture from scientists and bee keepers, as well as a farmer who relies on bees to pollinate his crops.

Witness testimony is available on the Committee website.

Herpes Facialis Treated with Bee Venom Therapy

Dr. Hirofumi Naito (Japan)
E-Mail: sting@mx3.nns.ne.jp

Presented at: 5th German Apitherapy Congress, March 23-25, 2007, Passau, Germany

Herpes Zoster:
* In many cases, ganglion and nervous dorsal root become inflamed by the re-activated virus that stayed hidden for many years after the first varicella.* The pain sometimes lasts for a long time after that and is called Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN).        

Herpes Facialis:
* Herpes zoster oticus (Ramsay Hunt syndrome)* Herpes zoster ophthalmicus
* The herpes zoster invades the control area of the nervus ophthalmicus which is the first branch of nervus trigeminus. 
* The symptoms are frequently related to the eyeball and its annexes as well.       

Treatment Given by the Dermatologist:
* Anti-herpes medicine was tried on the whole body (systemically) and on the local, affected areas.
* Adrenal cortical steroid was used as a lotion with an antiphlogistic purpose on the eye area.

Days of Treatment:
29. December 2006
31. December 2006
03. January 2007
06. January 2007
07. January 2007
11. January 2007 was the last treatment day.

Quantity of Bee Venom:
QV-1: Instantaneously prick or rub.
QV-2: Keep the stinger in for about 0.5 seconds.
QV-3: Keep the stinger in for about 1 or 2 seconds.
For QV-1, QV-2 and QV-3 keep the stinger five to six seconds after you remove it from the bee, then insert it in the skin.
QV-4: Keep the stinger in the skin about five seconds immediately after removing it from the bee.
QV-5: Direct sting.

Result:
* Because treatment was started right after the acute phase it helped the healing without postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).
* There was a confidential relationship between the apitherapist and the recipient who was lucky because the treatment was initiated soon and was regular. Many cases start late having already a skin ulcer.
* Quantity of venom was under level Q.V.-2.
* Pain due to the herpes zoster did not always occur, and the pain given by BVT disappeared about 15 minutes after the sessions.

Discussion:
* We are treating many cases with herpes zoster each year.
* Many cases come with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).
* If BVT is done soon enough, PHN may be prevented in the early stage of the herpes zoster.
* BVT must be made specifically to each case.

Patient Before and After Treatment:




Monday, April 02, 2007

Propolis Extract Can Replace Chemical Agents in Medications

Development of Purified Propolis Extract Technology, Analysis and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity

Dangoule Vansevičiūtė, JSC “Valentis” Vilnius, Lithuania
E-mail: povilonyte@valentis.lt

Presented at: 5th German Apitherapy Congress, March 23-25, 2007, Passau, Germany

Propolis (bee glue) and its preparations are widely used in medical practice, due to their antimicrobial, anesthetic, immunity boosting effect, they act against fungus, suppress inflammation , promote synthesis of antibodies , facilitate healing of wounds and ulcers.

It was identified that propolis ethanol extract of as little as 0.08 percent concentrations prevents the growth of microorganisms. Preparations containing propolis not only have a wide antimicrobial effect, but, different than with intake of antibiotics, resistant microorganism forms do not develop while using the preparations containing propolis.

From the chemical point of view, propolis is a very complex compound. Propolis contains over 200 different chemical components. These are polyphenoles (chalcones, flavones, flavonones, flavonoles), aromatic acids, terpenoids, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, amino acids, sugars, vitamins, minerals, waxes, fatty acids, steroids etc. Antimicrobial effect of propolis extract is determined by flavonoids, caffeic, cinnamic, benzoic acids contained in the extract, and other chemical compounds, their amount and their synergistic interaction .

JSC “Valentis” began propolis research in 2005. The goal of work was to produce the purified soft propolis extract, to perform its chemical analysis, to research the antimicrobial effect and to use it as an antimicrobial conservation agent in medication manufacture.

We developed the manufacturing technology of purified propolis extract. Manufacture consisted of several stages. During the course of manufacture, the concentration, temperature, pressure of extractant (ethanol) was being changed.

We manufactured 5 batches of purified propolis extract. The purified propolis extract is a soft material of dark brown colour of specific odour, it easily and without residue dissolves in 96 percent V/V ethanol. Dry residue of extract is 80 ± 5 %. We did not find waxes in the purified propolis extract. Its oxidation rate did not exceed 10 sec.

Unpurified propolis extract contained 3 ± 0.6 % of waxes, oxidation rate did not exceed 22 sec. We identified the polyphenolic compounds (precipitate of yellow colour) qualitatively with the solution of lead acetate, flavonoids (precipitate of green colour) – with the solution of aluminum trichloride, flavonone pinostrobin was identified by a method of thin-layer chromatography (solvent system: chloroform – 96 percent V/V ethanol 90:10). We developed the spots in UV light at a 254 nm wavelength, and afterwards with diazotized sulfanilic acid.

Quantitatively we identified the phenolic compounds by a spectrophotometric method, by measuring the absorption amount of ethanol solution in the wavelength of 290 nm. We found that the extract should contain 45 ± 3 % (n = 5) of phenolic compounds. By making the coloured compound with Folin – Ciocalteu agent and by measuring the absorption rate in the wavelength of 760 nm, we identified the amount of polyphenolic compounds, recalculating them into gallic acid. We found that the extract must contain 0.7 ± 0.05 % (n = 5) of polyphenolic compounds recalculated into gallic acid. The specific component in propolis is flavonone pinostrobin. Its amount was identified by a spectrophotometric method, by measuring the absorption amount of ethanol solution in the wavelength of 289 nm. We found that the extract must contain 25 ± 1 % (n = 5) pinostrobin.

The amounts of active substances in the unpurified propolis extract differed very insignificantly. We analyzed the antimicrobial activity of purified propolis extract. We used 9 reference cultures of microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 33499), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Proteus mirabilis (ATCC 12459), Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6623), Bacillus cereus (ATCC 8035) and Candida albicans (ATCC 60193).

We estimated the antimicrobial activity by the dilution method, using the Muller – Hinton broth and 0,9 % solution of sodium chloride. We made 5 dilutions up to 3200 times. We found that after diluting the extract by 400 times (concentration of purified propolis extract is 0.044 mg %), it completely suppresses the growth and proliferation of the above cultures. After diluting the extract by 800 times (concentration of purified propolis extract is 0.011 mg %), it suppresses the growth and proliferation of the above cultures, except Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis. After diluting the extract by 1600 times and more, its antimicrobial activity was not manifested anymore.

Due to its strong and wide antimicrobial effect, the propolis extract can be used as antimicrobial conservation agent in manufacture of different medications, replacing the substances of chemical nature.

Currently JSC “Valentis” is in the stage of research of the stability of different syrups, where the purified propolis extract is used as antimicrobial conservation agent. The research is in progress.

Sunday, April 01, 2007

Bee Venom Therapy Used to Treat Equine Arthritis

A Case Study of Bee Venom in the Treatment of Equine Arthritis of the Knee

John Drakes, Beelief Apitherapy (UK)

Presented at: 5th German Apitherapy Congress, March 23-25, 2007, Passau, Germany

The patient:

* 6 year old Shire Sports horse
* 16.2 hands tall
* Arthritis of the right front knee joint
* Kicked in the knee by another horse
* The wound healed but the joint remained painful and swollen.
* No conventional treatment was available.

The Treatment: (40 sting equivalents over 5 weeks)

* VeneX-10 V from Apitronic Services was used.
* A test injection for allergy was given.
* The area was swabbed with acetone.
* No Procaine was used for the test injection.
* 20 minutes to observe possible reaction.

First Treatment:

* The VeneX-10 V was diluted 50:50 with local anesthetic (Procaine).
* Syringe contained 1 ml of solution.
* Each 0.1 ml of solution contained 0.5 bee venom sac.
* Injected made at 10 sites around knee joint.
* Injections targeted to the bony reactions at bottom of radius bone.
* Total of 5 bee sting equivalents given.
* Injections were subcutaneous.

On the advice of Michael Simics, it was decided to alternate the knee treatments with injections into remote acupuncture points on the back….Bladder 23

Location of Bladder 23:

* The third space between the transverse vertebral process after the last rib
* 4 finger widths from the mid line
* This point is a paravertebral nerve block where nerves emerge from the spinal cord to the flank
* They govern muscle and skin sensation
* When needle hits the exact point the horse jumps a little, so then we know we are at the right depth.

Conclusions:

* 80 percent of the healing occurred at the time of the treatment.
* The final 20 percent happened several weeks later.
* Horse was able to be ridden and there was no tenderness in joint by this date.
* X-rays taken on 27/02/2007 showed several bony projections has disappeared.
* VeneX -10V was successful in treating equine osteo-arthritis of the knee joint.

Before and After Treatment: