Bee sting therapy as a remedy?

Bee stings are being used in China for cancer, multiple sclerosis and many other conditions

08/28/2013

Bees supply numerous substances that are used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of patients. This includes the bee venom, which is injected directly by bee sting. The bee stings are said to have a positive effect on diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), arthritis and even cancer. Thousands of patients in China regularly undergo painful bee sting therapy.

The term apitherapy summarizes various forms of application of bee substances. Here, in addition to the waxy, built in beehives, so-called propolis, honey and bee venom is used. Bee sting therapy is currently enjoying great popularity in China, reports the news agency „AFP“. Thousands of people would visit the acupuncture clinics to undergo the promising treatment. However, so far there is no scientific evidence for the preventive and healing effects of bee stings. Patients should therefore not rely on the effects of apitherapy alone in serious illnesses such as MS or cancer, remedy physicians of the American Cancer Society and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Thousands of people receive a bee sting therapy
Each session of the bee sting therapy can include dozens of punctures and therefore extremely painful. However, more than 27,000 people have already received treatment at the Wang Menglin clinic in Beijing, according to the news agency „AFP“ citing the bee sting acupuncturist and operator of the clinic. „We hold the bee on a point on the body and pinch it until the sting sticks out“, explained Wang. For the bees, this means death. „We have treated patients with dozens of diseases, from arthritis to cancer, all with positive results“, the user was convinced of his procedure. The bee stings could also be used preventively, Wang continued.

Doubts about the benefits of bee sting therapy
In the message of the news agency „AFP“ Also the critical voices are voiced, who see in the offer of Wang a pure money-making and doubt the imputed benefit. So is a process that generates a panacea and panacea, „always a red flag for quackery“, emphasizes, for example, the US website „Science-Based Medicine“. The American Cancer Society is quoted as saying that so far „No clinical studies in humans indicate that bee venom or other bee products are effective in preventing or treating cancer.“ It expressly warns against relying on the effects of bee sting therapy as long as there is no scientific evidence for its use.

So far no proof of a medical effect
Although many legends circulate around the use of apitherapy such as that already Karl (born in 742, died 814) was treated with bee stings, but a proof of medical benefit, researchers have so far not provide. Rather, the US National Multiple Sclerosis Society explains that „Despite many years of claims about the potential benefits of bee venom for people with MS, a 24-week, randomized trial showed no reduction in disease activity, disability or fatigue and no improvement in quality of life“ have caused. So far, only the allergic reaction to the bee venom, which can have life-threatening consequences for people with an insect venom allergy, is documented.

Traditional Chinese medicine is a booming industry
In China, the methods of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are usually offered in the regular practices and hospitals, as many people rely on the traditional methods. They are an important part of China's health care system and a fast-growing industry, which is also supported by the central government with significant investment. „It can be a lucrative field for businesses and practitioners - last year, the TCM industry produced goods worth 516 billion yuan, more than 31 percent of total manufacturing in China's medical sector“, according to the message of the news agency „AFP citing the figures of the Chinese National Bureau of Statistics. The high demand is partly based on the fact that people can not afford the latest medicines. However, for older people in particular, the preference for TCM is based on deeply rooted cultural beliefs. People believe in the power of natural ingredients. (Fp)

Picture: Heiko Hausmann