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Friday 15 April 2016

Basics Relating To Bee Venom Therapy For Lyme Disease


By Ruth Jones


Venom therapy has been in existence for many centuries. Its first use is believed to have been among beekeepers in South America, Asia and Eastern Europe. The treatment, also referred to as apitherapy has been attempted for many conditions including multiple sclerosis, asthma, Lyme disease and premenstrual syndrome. There are a number of important facts on bee venom therapy for Lyme disease that one should know if considering this form of treatment.

Lyme disease is an infectious condition that is caused by a bacterium, Borrelia burgdoferi that belongs to the group of microorganisms known as spirochetes. Transmission from one person to another is mainly through tick bites. The symptoms are many and systemic. They include chronic fatigue, insomnia, emotional irritability, reduced libido, joint pains, recurrent jawbone and dental infections, poor memory and confusion among others.

There are no specific guidelines to guide the use of bee venom. Commonly, therapy is initiated at high doses and tapered over several months as the symptoms of an illness begin to resolve. Other practitioners do it in the reverse; starting at a low dose and increasing it gradually until therapeutic levels are attained. As far as the source of the therapeutic agent is concerned, two approaches can be used; exposing the client to the natural sting by a swarm of bees or injecting the commercially available product.

Although the exact mechanism of action of the agent remains largely unknown, research appears to suggest the effect may be due to the presence of potent peptides within it. One of the peptides is known as mellitin. This peptide can inhibit the reproduction ability of the Lyme bacterium even at every low doses. It also makes the bacterium vulnerable to the host immune system.

You need to be aware of the possible side effects of this therapy. Generally, what is experienced is more or less similar to what one would experience if they were stung by a bee. Commonly encountered side effects include swelling, redness and itchiness. In about 5% of people allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis) may be seen. Sensitivity testing is needed to rule out this possibility.

The conventional treatment for this condition involves the use of antibiotics. Intravenous metronidazole has been shown to be effective (mainly against the cystic stage). The oral form of the drug is injurious to the liver. An alternative drug that works in the same way as metronidazole is tinidazole. Tinidazole has been shown to have less toxicity. Antibiotics may be combined with proteolytic enzymes.

Venom can be obtained commercially in vials. You will be well advised to get in touch with a physician or an allopathic to take you through the initial stages of the therapy. They will help determine whether you have any sensitivity to the therapeutic agent and also teach you how you can administer to yourself from then on.

Bee venom is still a very important treatment for a number of medical conditions. However, you should bear in mind that there is no scientific basis behind some of the properties that it is claimed to have. A lot of research is still needed in this area.




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