Abstract
There are certain things around us which we do not understand and as a human being the things we do not understand we consider them as if they have no base or are illogical. But here we are totally wrong, things whose logic you fail to understand or grasp are not something you totally discard or treat as something which is just mythical. Many branches related to medicine and science are left behind in the loops of time due to such orthodox thinking. It’s an open world and we should be open to each and everything going around us.
And talking about being open and acceptable then one must accept the existence of alternative medicine and treatment ways apart from allopathic science as well. To be straight and honest, the allopathic medical system is good but there are other medicine systems as well which can be considered. One of these is alternative medicine that includes a very good therapy system but obviously due to less acceptance it is not much popular. But, here in this article we will talk about this unpopular therapy in detail: The Apitherapy
This article includes information about its history, present and future. In addition it can strongly give you a reason why to choose Apitherapy, if available around you.
History of Apitherapy
The references of apitherapy are found in Chinese, Korean, Russian, Egyptian, Greek and Indian traditional medicine. The therapy promotes use of bee products in treatment of various conditions. The ancient texts suggest that bee products have possible medicinal properties which can have a great impact in some conditions. The Ayurveda, which had originated from India also suggests use of honey as an anupana. Even, a modern use of bee venom appears to have originated with an Australian physician named Philip Terc and in one of his articles he mentions a very peculiar connection between the bee string and rheumatism. This was in 1888, later in 1935 a Hungarian physician Bodog F. Beck gave the term “Bee venom therapy”. In 1957, finally the USSR ministry of health, gave a green chit to use of bee venom in treatment of certain ailments.
Humans has used the bee products as in many ways from ages like beeswax used for casting weapons, also offered as a food offerings to god, the propolis, which is a sticky substance made by bees used to fill small gaps or as a adhesive and bee pollen in agriculture work for planet breeding and many more. At last in history of apitherapy, it was first used in various medicine systems various bee products were used like honey as a biological wound dressing, as a substance with which medicine is administered to enhance its absorption or effect, bee venom for pain which can be related to rheumatoid arthritis, nerve pain, sclerosis and many others.
Now moving forward, we will talk about the definition of apitherapy, its benefits, Its uses and how it is related to Ayurveda from ages.
Definition of Apitherapy
Apitherapy is a treatment system which is based on the beehives products. These products are used with herb or herbal extracts or either alone or after mixing with certain essential oils. This can behave as an immune system modulator and can cure diseases in a substantial way.
Bee products used in Apitherapy
1. Bee Pollen
Bee pollen is a ball of pollen which is made by young bees when they land on a flower. Bee pollen is a mixture of saliva, pollen, nectar or honey. Bee pollen is believed to be rich in vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. They are having great use in stimulating appetite, improving stamina and athletic performance and even in premature ageing.
These balls are carried back to hives by the bees in the sacs on their legs and stored in the hive’s honeycomb. They later ferment and form bee bread.
2. Honey
We already know about honey and what honey is. Honey is a yellow, sweet, sticky substance or fluid. This is rich in antioxidants and has many bioactive plant compounds such as flavonoids and phenolic acids. Application of best quality honey over wounds helps in healing especially in burns. It also helps in suppression of cough in children and in adults too. Most importantly, it can add taste to various food articles you love. Honey also has been found to be effective in vitro against a range of multi resistant organisms including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE), and other multi resistant Gram Negative organisms including Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
3. Propolis
Propolis is a resin-like material which is made by bees. The resin-like substance is used by bees to build hives. These have anti fungal, anti bacterial and also anti inflammatory properties. Due to these all properties it can be used in skin healing and also on wounds.
4. Royal jelly
Royal jelly is a substance which is being secreted by honeybee workers and is fed to the larvae. These larvae are then raised to be the potential queen bees. It is a highly nutritious secretion of the pharyngeal glands of the honey bee. It is called royal jelly because it is fed to queen larvae only.
5. Beeswax
Beeswax is a very common term we have heard as a beehives product. It is obviously a wax which is secreted by bees to make honeycombs and used to make wooden polishes and candles as well. Medicine uses of beeswax includes relieving swelling or inflammation, effective on external ulcers, it is also used in skin treatments like in fungal infections etc.
6. Bee venom
Exclusive benefits of bee venom includes boosting immune system as mentioned above and hence helping in diseases like multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, varicose vein, endocrine disorders like premenstrual syndrome, menstrual cramps, irregular periods, in infections like herpes simplex, warts, mastitis and laryngitis. Even in psychological disturbances such as depression and mood swings it can be used. In addition, in skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, tropical ulcers it is of great use and in rheumatoid disturbances.
Ayurveda and Apitherapy
Ayurveda has a vast knowledge hidden inside it’s texts and honestly if you believe and search instead of research it can be the next definition of magic. Ayurvedic texts also mention a part of apitherapy. It explains the use of honey and has also mentioned the properties of honey. Ayurveda explains that there are eight different types of honey which can be used in various conditions. So let’s start with what Ayurveda has a secret about Honey and it’s role in apitherapy.
In charak samhita sutrasthana it is mentioned that honey is known by many names. The name of honey differs from region to region. However, the most common names it have are madhu, kshaudram, saradham, varadi, push parasol bhavam and madwikam.
It is also mentioned that it is used in treatment of eyes mainly, but also has its effect on caught, excessive thirst, vomit of blood, obesity, worm infestation, asthma and wound healing.
Uses of Honey as Per Ayurveda
Whenever there is a discussion about honey quoting a line “can never wait it states “A soul so sweet, like wild honey; born of bees and wildflowers”. That is the kind of honey which must be used. Now, discussing the use of honey in Ayurveda:
- It is a natural preservative and sweetener in many ayurvedic formulations.
- Honey is also used as a vehicle along with some medicine to improve its efficacy and absorption.
- It is also administered for mitigation of the increased kapha dosha.
- The honey is also used in stholaya.
- It is an ingredient in many formulations as well and works more than a sweetener or preservative. In some formulations it is also used with trituration herbal juices that is bhavana dravya.
Uses of Honey According to Types
Aacharya sushruta in sutrasthana chapter 45 verse 134-139 has mentioned that there are total 8 types of honey along with properties:
1. Makshikam
It is used in eye disease treatment, piles, asthma, cough and tuberculosis and is considered as the most superior type of honey.
2. Bhraamaram
Excessive sweet, used in treatment of blood vomit.
3. Kshoudram
Used in treating diabetes, it has a lehniya effect.
4. Pauthikam
Best for chedan karma, effective in urinary tract infections
5. Chathram
Heavy to digest and is used in treatment of vitiligo, diabetes, pacifies kapha dosha and is strengthening
6. Aardhyam
Effective in eye disorders and is strengthening
7. Ouddalakam
Enhances appetite and interest in food, also has its effect in skin disorders.
8. Daalam
Dry and helpful in diabetes.
He also mentioned properties of new or naveen honey or madhu and old honey in chapter 45 of sutrasthana verse 140-141.
It states that naveen madhu is brihneeya that is nourishing, and does not pacify much of kapha dosha. On the other hand old madhu is having medho har properties that is it reduces body bulk or fat, is grahi and has lekhniya effect.
Now you can correlate that yes apitherapy is somehow related to Ayurveda and yes Ayurveda has many hidden secrets in it.
Conclusion
As mentioned before, there are things which are more to believe than to be understood and your belief can make you understand the most incomprehensible things in the world. All you have to do is ask, think and search instead of research. Apitherapy is something which many of you have not even listened to but do not have the knowledge of how it works and how effective it can be. In case of any query kindly visit our website WWW.planetayurveda.com
Dr. Vikram Chauhan (MD – Ayurveda) is the CEO and Founder of Planet Ayurveda Pvt. Ltd. He is Author of the Book “Ayurveda – God’s Manual For Healing”. He is an Ayurveda Expert Serving People worldwide through all the Possible Mediums, Operating from Main Branch in Mohali, India. With his Vast Experience in Herbs and their Applied Uses, he is successfully treating Numerous Patients suffering from Various Ailments. He is Serving the Society with Purest Herbal Supplements for One and only Purpose of Making People know and utilize the Wonderful Benefits of the Ayurvedic Diet, Lifestyle, and Natural Herbs. He Formulates Herbal Supplements himself and also Use Classical Ayurvedic Formulations for Helping People Get Rid of All Types of Health Issues, Restore their Health, Uses and Save themselves from the Worst Side-effects of Chemical Based Treatments. For More Details, visit www.PlanetAyurveda.com.
