Bee venom and its properties

Bee venom is a natural product that bees have for defence and attack. The bees inoculate it with their stinger, but if it sticks in the victim, the bee dies. However, there are techniques to extract the venom without harming the bee. Once extracted, the venom is used to make medicinal or cosmetic products. Or it is inoculated directly into the patient.

Summary: Bee venom, a natural product with many properties for cosmetics and for common health problems. Also, in our shop in Las Rozas de Madrid we have at your disposal fantastic creams and soaps with bee venom.

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1. What is bee venom?

Bee venom is synthesised in the glands of the defensive apparatus of female and queen bees, as the male bee or drone does not have a stinger. Venom formation in worker or queen bees increases during the first two weeks of their adult life. It then reaches a maximum when the worker bee is involved in the defence of the hive. Finally, it decreases as they get older.

A mature bee can store between 100-150 µg of venom. Therefore, it can inject between 0.15-0.30 mg of venom with its stinger. The queen bee has a larger amount of venom, storing about 700 µg. However, they probably only use it to fight another queen bee, in case they are fighting for control of the hive.

Bee venom is a clear liquid that dries quickly at room temperature, odourless and with a bitter taste. When bee venom dries, it takes on a yellowish colour and a brownish colour when oxidised.

This venom contains more than 80 different substances, including volatile compounds that can easily be lost during collection. Bee venom is mostly composed of water and contains:

• amino acids
• ospholipids
• carbohydrates
• amines, such as histamine, polypeptides (melittin, propellitin), apamin, other simple proteins
• enzymes, such as phospholipase A and hyaluronidase.

Photo 1: Bee collecting nectarine and pollen

2. Bee venom for pain and other properties

A lot of research is being done on the properties and uses of venom of bees, especially since many artists have made it fashionable. The properties attributed to this venom on a scientific basis are as follows:

a) Analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties:

Research conducted by scientists at Kyung Heede University in Seoul on animals has shown that bee venom applied in conjunction with acupuncture has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, although much research is still needed to be completely sure of this information.

b) Cancer:

Researchers at Washington University in St Louis, have used an ingredient in bee venom, melittin. This compound slows the growth of tumours in mice, but also attacks healthy cells.

Other research has shown that bee venom inhibits the invasion of tumour cells into other tissues, inhibiting metastasis.

c) Stimulates blood circulation:

Bee venom stimulates blood circulation, increases the permeability of blood vessels. It also dissolves obstacles in them, preventing thrombosis.

d) Diabetes:

According to numerous studies in both mice and rabbits, bee venom lowers blood glucose and improves the lipid profile in diabetics. Although more studies would have to be carried out to confirm these claims with more certainty.

e) Multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a degenerative disease for which there is currently no cure. Several pharmaceutical treatments are available, but all of them have side effects. However, some patients who undergo treatment with bee venom experience a decrease in pain, as well as improved coordination and increased body strength.

It is not yet clear why this venom has a beneficial effect on people with multiple sclerosis. However, it is believed to be due to two components of the venom, adopalin and metalin.

f) Parkinson’s disease:

People with Parkinson’s who follow acupuncture and bee venom therapy have been found to improve their ability and daily activity.

g) Rheumatoid arthritis:

Scientists have found that bee venom has an effect on controlling joint inflammation because it stimulates steroids by strengthening the immune system.

h) AIDS:

Researchers at Washington University of Medicine in St Louis have shown that a component of this venom, melittin can kill the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) without harming uninfected cells.

3. Bee venom in cosmetics

In recent years, celebrities in the beauty and cosmetics industry have once again turned their attention to the many fantastic properties of bee venom, resulting in numerous creams made with this compound and a resurgence of beauty treatments, as well as health treatments, using bee stings.

Likewise, bees are not killed, because their venom is extracted by pulling out their sting. Naturally, when bees sting, they stick their stingers in and when they are released they tear off part of their toras causing death. This is not the case, as current techniques extract their venom without harming the bees.

a) Venom creams

We are currently working with the company Castillo de Peñalaver who supplies us with bee venom creams.

Picture 2: Our creams from Castillo de Peñalver

4. Where to buy bee venom?

The sale of this venom in Spain is not regulated, so it is not possible to buy pure bee venom in a legal way. It is true that there is always a black market where one could buy it. However, you will have to take the enormous risk of buying it yourself and trust that company, as it will not have any certification or control from the Spanish state.

Spanish cosmetic companies, according to what I have been able to talk to some of them, are buying it in other countries where it is legislated, one of those countries would be Russia.

Another way of acquiring bee venom would be through a natural apitherapy centre. This method consists of delivering the dose into your body in a natural way by means of a bee sting. One should also be aware that all these natural techniques that are encompassed in neuropathy are being questioned. In addition, they are considered by some governments as pseudoscience.

5. Effects on covid-19

Recent observations by numerous researchers and doctors in Wuhan have shown that this venom could strengthen the immune system, which could help to reduce the spread of covid-19. They have come to these conclusions because none of the Wuhan beekeepers have had symptoms with the virus.

Source:

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