Glossary
An overview of bee venom therapy (apitherapy), the practice of using bee stings or purified bee venom for therapeutic purposes. Bee venom contains melittin (anti-inflammatory), apamin (nerve-active), and other bioactive compounds. The practice is centuries old but remains controversial due to limited clinical evidence and significant allergy risks.
Bee venom (apitoxin) is a complex mixture of biologically active compounds: melittin (approximately 50 percent of dry weight, a powerful anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial peptide), phospholipase A2 (approximately 12 percent, enzyme that triggers inflammatory and immune responses), apamin (approximately 2 percent, neurotoxin with potential therapeutic applications), and adolapin (approximately 1 percent, anti-inflammatory and analgesic).
Melittin has demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity comparable to hydrocortisone in some laboratory studies. It inhibits phospholipase A2 (paradoxically), reduces nuclear factor-kB activation, and has shown anti-cancer activity in cell culture studies.
Clinical evidence for bee venom therapy is limited and mixed. Some studies show benefit for arthritis pain, multiple sclerosis symptoms, and post-herpetic neuralgia. However, most studies are small, lack proper controls, and have high bias risk. The Cochrane Collaboration found insufficient evidence to recommend bee venom for any medical condition.
The risk-benefit calculation is heavily influenced by the risk of anaphylaxis. Bee venom allergy affects approximately 1-3 percent of the population and can cause life-threatening anaphylactic reactions. Any bee venom therapy must be administered with epinephrine immediately available.
Some studies show positive results, but the evidence is not strong enough for clinical recommendation. A 2017 review found that bee venom acupuncture may reduce pain and improve function in knee osteoarthritis, but study quality was generally low. More rigorous trials are needed.
Purified bee venom at the extremely low concentrations used in cosmetic products (facial serums, creams) has not shown significant safety concerns. However, individuals with bee sting allergies should avoid all bee venom products, even topical, because sensitization can occur through skin contact.
Modern bee venom collection uses a glass plate with a mild electric current that stimulates bees to sting the glass. The venom dries on the glass and is scraped off. This method collects venom without killing the bees because the stinger does not embed in the glass.
Keep Learning
Browse hundreds of terms covering honey, beekeeping, and natural skincare.