Apitherapy is a type of alternative therapy using products from honeybees, such as honey, pollen, bee bread, propolis, beeswax, and more. These products are believed to have various health benefits, but the clinical evidence varies.

Apitherapy has been used for thousands of years. It can be traced back to ancient Egypt and China. The Greeks and Romans also used bee products for medicinal purposes, such as bee venom, to treat joint pain from arthritis.

Read on to learn about the research-based evidence behind the health benefits of apitherapy, the different ways it may be used, and the associated risks.

Researchers generally agree that bee products contain various compounds that may show promise in preventing disease and promoting health. These include flavonoids, phenolic compounds, terpenes, and various enzymes.

Apitherapy practices have historically been used to treat illnesses such as multiple sclerosis and arthritis, as well as infections, wounds, and burns.

Apitherapy may be performed by applying a product topically, taking it orally, or injecting it into the blood.

Apitherapy products

Apitherapy can include the usage of any products created naturally from honeybees, all of which contain different natural antimicrobial properties, antioxidants like polyphenols, as well as antiseptic and other beneficial ingredients to varying degrees.

They include:

Here’s what the research says about the effectiveness of apitherapy in treating various health conditions:

Wounds and infections

In a 2017 study, researchers examined the impact of manuka honey on eyelid surgical wounds in 55 people over the course of 4 months compared to a control group that wasn’t.

Those treated with manuka honey experienced less stiffness and pain, their skin showed fewer signs of distortion, and their scars were barely noticeable to the touch.

In addition, according to a 2019 test tube study, honey may help it prevent bacterial growth and even fight off tough microorganisms in infected wounds due to its low water content and the special enzyme glucose oxidase.

Another 2019 study on human subjects found that those treated with beri honey experienced significant improvements in the size and depth of wounds infected with various bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus.

In a 2021 animal study, researchers also found propolis to have a similar effect.

Allergies and asthma

In a 2018 animal study, researchers examined the impact of royal jelly and Brazilian green propolis, finding that the substance may reduce certain histamines that can trigger allergies by suppressing certain genes.

Another 2020 test-tube study also found that propolis may help reduce asthma-related lung inflammation and mucus production. But, more studies are needed to determine its effectiveness in humans.

Meanwhile, a 2019 review found multiple human studies on the effect of honey on people living with asthma. These studies showed that honey might help improve various lung function measures when combined with Nigella sativa and may be effective in relieving milder forms of asthma when paired with celery seeds.

That review doesn’t clarify whether honey may have this effect without being paired with other substances. That said, in another 2024 review of 12 studies, 4 of which were based on humans, researchers found that propolis extract and honey syrup may help reduce nighttime asthma attacks.

Autoimmune and neurologic conditions

Apitherapy may be effective as a complementary treatment for diseases related to the immune and neurologic systems.

In addition, flavonoid compounds, a type of antioxidant present in honey, have shown promise in test tube studies in preventing memory decline and improving Alzheimer’s symptoms. However, more human or animal research is needed to verify this conclusion.

Other animal studies show that propolis and royal jelly may help with Parkinson’s disease by reducing oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial issues. Here, too, more research is needed to understand how these substances and their compounds work at a cellular level.

Similar findings and limitations exist regarding bee venom and multiple sclerosis.

In a 2022 review, researchers also found various potential benefits of propolis for those living with rheumatoid arthritis. By targeting the increased inflammation and oxidative stress present in affected joints, propolis may help to alleviate pain and reduce overall symptoms.

That said, more research is needed using larger test groups and varying doses.

Other benefits

Various other benefits have been examined regarding honey and other products from bees. In some cases, the research has been limited to test tube or animal studies, and more studies in humans are needed to confirm these conclusions.

  • Thyroid: A 2022 study on rats suggests that bee venom may help improve hypothyroidism compared to a drug called levothyroxine.
  • Dental health: Numerous test tube, animal, and human studies have found that propolis may be effective against periodontal disease due to its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Another 2021 review suggests the compound may also help throat infections and dental cavities.
  • Viruses: Various test tube and animal studies suggest that honey may have antiviral properties. However, more research is needed to determine if eating honey can help protect you from contracting viruses. That said, clinical trials on humans have found that propolis may help improve the symptoms and recovery from COVID-19.
  • Cancer: Test tube and animal studies have shown promising effects of bee venom components on prostate cancer cells, but more human research is needed to understand their mechanisms.
  • Skin care: A 2018 study on humans showed that beeswax might work better for sensitive skin than synthetic ingredients. It may help soften and lubricate the skin, prevent water loss, have antiseptic properties, create a protective barrier, and provide vitamin A for skin regeneration.

Different methods of apitherapy carry different risks. All methods can, of course, be dangerous for people allergic to bee products.

Bee venom, in particular, can be dangerous as it can cause an allergic reaction. The most common reactions, according to research, tend to be swelling and a rash, but symptoms can become life threatening.

Even if you aren’t severely allergic to bees, apitherapy could still cause negative side effects. Even if you aren’t aware of any allergy to bee products, always ask a doctor first before trying any type of apitherapy.

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe reaction to a trigger, such as an allergy, and is potentially life threatening.

Symptoms can develop quickly and include:

  • feeling faint or lightheaded
  • difficulty breathing or wheezing
  • rapid heartbeat
  • confusion
  • anxiety
  • clammy skin
  • collapsing or losing consciousness
  • hives
  • swelling
  • stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting

If you or someone nearby develops these symptoms, you should:

  1. Check to see whether they have an epinephrine pen. If they do, read and follow the instructions to dispense the medication.
  2. Dial 911 (or a local emergency number).
  3. Lay them down. If they have vomited, lay them on their side.
  4. Stay with them until emergency services arrive.

It is possible for someone to need more than one injection with an epinephrine pen. If symptoms do not begin to clear after 5 minutes, give a second injection if one is available.

Apitherapy uses a wide variety of honeybee products. Some practices of apitherapy are less risky than others. For example, adding honey to your tea to soothe a sore throat carries less risk than being stung by bees to relieve arthritis pain.

Talk with your doctor to see if apitherapy is right for you. Together, you can make sure it won’t interfere with any other current treatment.

If you’re ready to look into apitherapy and your doctor isn’t sure where to go next, look for a naturopath who offers it as a treatment method.