Concept in Definition ABC

Animals have some mechanism o strategy defense. In the case of bees, they defend themselves through a substance poisonous, apitoxin. Curiously, this same substance is used to cure some pathologies.

Apitherapy is the healing discipline that uses bee hives with a medicinal approach

Bees provide honey and royal jelly. At the same time, the bite of these insects has been used since ancient times for curative purposes. In this sense, the ancient Egyptians and la la tradition China already used bees to relieve pain. Likewise, in the medicine Hippocratic honey was used as a healing substance.

On the other hand, rheumatic diseases can be treated with apitoxin, since this substance is a powerful anti-inflammatory and, at the same time, helps fight autoimmune diseases. This poisonous substance also serves as a natural pain reliever.

To obtain apitoxin, the venom is extracted from the bee sting and a small part of it is used to inject this substance into the painful area. Before your injection it is usual to numb the area with ice so that the puncture is as painless as possible. In order to avoid any

risk, therapists using this technique recommend that their patients take an allergy test to see if they are allergic to this substance.

The medical community is committed to this type of treatment

Supporters of apitherapy argue that the sting of bees triggers inflammation in the body and this circumstance causes a response of the immune system to fight inflammation. However, this criterion is not accepted by medicine. conventionalas there are no rigorous studies showing the curative effects of apitoxin.

Finally, the detractors of this procedure consider that its possible risks are greater than the supposed benefits.

Bees play an important role in the balance of ecosystems and in our diet

If a plant has flowers, this means that a bee has collaborated in its process of reproduction. This fact reminds us of a reality: flowers have evolved thanks to bees.

The organism of bees is designed so that the pollen of the flowers adhere to it perfectly. In short, these insects are essential for the pollination of plants.

Thanks to the pollination process, 70% of the seeds, fruits and vegetables consumed worldwide are produced.

Photos: Fotolia - Silvano Rebai / Merion

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