What is bee venom
Bee venom is a clear, thick liquid (maybe yellowish) that enters the human skin through the sting of a bee. This substance is synthesized by the filamentous glands of bees. With the development of the bee, it accumulates in the body up to 14 days from the moment of birth. The smell of bee venom resembles honey, only it is sharper, and the taste is bitter, burning.
In the body of bees, the poison is in a liquid form, but after its release it quickly hardens (the poison is collected on glass)
In the body of bees, the venom is in liquid form, but after its release, it quickly hardens, decreasing by almost 2 times, while not losing its beneficial qualities. It is sterile even when mixed with other foods or simply diluted with water.
Interesting!
Bee venom can retain its beneficial properties when dried, frozen, and even when heated to +115 degrees Celsius!
To get venom from a bee, you don't have to make it sting a person. Since ancient times, people have learned to extract bee venom so that the bees do not die at the same time. The fact is that when a bee stings a person's skin, because of the notches on the sting, it cannot reach the sting and fly away. When trying to take off, a part of the intestine is torn off, which is attached to the bag of poison, so that this leads to the death of the bee. But, if you just take a bee and hit the abdomen correctly, it will release poison, but it will remain unharmed.
If you need to collect a lot of poison, use special poison collectors. They collect poison in different ways. In one case, the bees are struck with a weak current, and they secrete poison, but do not die at the same time, in the other case, euthanasia with sulphurous ether is used. Asleep bees begin to move their sting and release poison. Then the bees are washed and they can fly again.
Features of the
Bee venom is a potent secret secreted by the glands of worker honeybees and queens. He serves as protection for their family.
The product dissolves in water and acids, but in this state its biological parameters change over time. It is difficult to dissolve in alcohol, but it can form an emulsion in oils due to the presence of surface active properties. The product is thermally stable, but susceptible to sunlight.
Composition of bee venom
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As in any other food that is obtained from bees, their venom also has a unique composition that can be of great benefit to humans. The composition is influenced by the breed of bees, the diet, the habitat, but usually the concentration of substances, and not their type, changes. Mainly in the composition there are 18 essential amino acids, inorganic acids, sugar. And now, in more detail about some of the most important components.
Composition of bee venom
- The burning sensation after being stung by a bee is caused by the substance melittin. It also dilates blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. At the same time, this substance damages cell membranes.
Interesting!
In action, bee venom is very similar to a strong antibiotic. It destroys microorganisms in the human body.
- Phospholipase, another useful component, has a rejuvenating effect on the skin, improves blood composition, accelerates the resorption of bruises, and promotes wound healing.
- Apitoxin has a bactericidal, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.
- Histamine - dilates blood vessels and reduces pain. It also causes tissue edema, stimulates the production of adrenaline, and provokes heart palpitations.
- The enzyme hyaluronidase carries the poison through the tissues. It is a strong allergen, but at the same time it evens out the scar formation.
These are just the most famous and important components. Also, bee venom is rich in proteins, carbohydrates, minerals (iodine, manganese, calcium, copper, magnesium, phosphorus) and volatile oils.
When trying to take off, part of the intestine is torn off, which is attached to the bag with poison
The main composition of apitoxin
The properties of a toxic substance depend on several factors:
- the age of the bee
- her nutrition
- terrain and seasons
And its composition is divided into protein fractions, which mainly have an anti-inflammatory effect.
The first fraction contains active peptides and amino acids.
When released into the bloodstream, they:
- activate immunity
- irritate tissues
- prevent blood clots
- provide anesthetic effect
The second fraction in the composition of apitoxin contains enzymes and 18 amino acids, which are responsible for breaking down tissues, smoothing scars and resorbing blood clots.
In addition to peptides and enzymes, the poison contains neurotransmitters, inorganic acids, as well as macro- and microelements.
Despite the long history of apitherapy in Russia, many believe that this direction is relatively new. Meanwhile, stinging by bees has been a traditional treatment for some diseases since ancient times. Today apitherapy is perceived much more extensively.
Application in medicine and cosmetology
Bee venom is widely used in the modern world. It is primarily used in folk medicine and pharmacology. On its basis, a wide variety of medicines for external or internal use are made.
Important!
When treating with bee venom, the dosage must be strictly observed. In case of an overdose, a negative effect and the development of allergies are possible.
Bee venom is also used in cosmetology. Such a valuable component, apitoxin, which has bactericidal properties, also has a rejuvenating effect on the skin and the entire body. And since bee venom, when used correctly, is not dangerous for humans, it is a valuable analogue of a variety of cosmetic procedures, including botox.
Bee venom in a mask or face cream provokes the production of collagen and elastin, renews cells, smoothes fine wrinkles. If the poison is used in the composition of a balm or lip cream, then this makes them more voluminous, soft.
If you need to collect a lot of poison, use special poison collectors.
Why is a bee sting useful?
Scientists in the field of medicine confirm that the benefits of bee venom for humans are quite large. The substance is distinguished by its specific healing properties. These include:
- restoration of tissue structures of bones,
- normalization of the heart rate,
- analgesic, antispasmodic, antiviral action,
- an increase in the amount of serotonin,
- beneficial effect on blood vessels, lowering cholesterol levels,
- blood cleansing,
- improvement of the digestive system,
- getting rid of pathogenic microbes,
- activation of the body's immune forces.
Important! Despite the wide spectrum of action available, the beneficial properties of apitoxin are not fully understood. Thanks to the developments of modern scientists, physicians have high hopes for expanding the healing properties of bee venom in the treatment of serious diseases, including cancer.
The benefits and harms of bee venom
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Bee venom has many beneficial qualities.
- It activates the immune system, increases the body's resistance to negative external influences.
- Relieves pain. It is a very useful remedy for joints and muscles if there is severe pain in them. The components of the poison improve blood circulation. This remedy is used for arthritis, rheumatism, arthrosis, radiculitis, inflammation, varicose veins and similar problems.
- Balm from bee venom removes inflammation, pus, and kills bacteria.
- Increases the number of red blood cells, dilates blood vessels and reduces the amount of cholesterol in the body. It is often used for heart conditions, including hypertension.
- Used for multiple sclerosis. Bee venom inhibits the destruction of nerve cells and forms new endings, due to which the disease can be eliminated in the early stages.
- Bee venom has a positive effect on the functioning of the liver, stomach, intestines.
- Effective for disorders in the central nervous system, insomnia.
- A cream or balm helps to treat psoriasis, wounds, acne on the body.
Interesting!
Treatment with bee venom is called apitherapy.
A wide variety of medicines and ointments for external or internal use are made on the basis of bee venom.
Among the most obvious harmful properties of bee venom are:
- destruction of red blood cells;
- thinning blood;
- disorders of mineral metabolism;
- leaching of mineral salts;
- increased glucose levels;
- the appearance of edema;
- heart rhythm disturbances
- the appearance of protein in the urine.
Important!
Bee stings in the neck and tonsils are considered especially dangerous!
How does it affect the body?
It is rather difficult to overestimate the benefits for humans and the breadth of the effect of bee venom on the body. Depending on the dosage, it either excites or inhibits the nervous system.
The product causes the following therapeutic effects:
- anesthetizes
- thins the blood
- improves the work of the CVS
- lowers blood pressure
- eliminates cerebral edema
- improves cerebral blood flow
- increases the volume of circulating blood
- has anticonvulsant activity
- improves memory, mood, sleep
- reduces nicotine and alcohol dependence
- increases the amount of hemoglobin and erythrocytes
Contraindications for use
Any product of bee's vital activity has a number of cases when use can only do harm. Bee venom is contraindicated for:
The components in the composition of the poison can cause a strong allergic reaction
- tuberculosis;
- tumors;
- heart disease;
- elevated temperature;
- diabetes mellitus.
The components in the composition of the poison can cause a strong allergic reaction. Main symptoms: cough, watery eyes, runny nose. If measures are not taken in time, then seizures, loss of consciousness, pressure drop, edema are also added to these symptoms.
In case of accidental use of bee venom by an allergic person, it is important to immediately contact a medical center or call a doctor. As a first aid, a bee sting is removed, the sting site is treated with alcohol and ice is applied. It also doesn’t hurt to use any allergy medication.
How does it work during treatment?
- Bee venom has a therapeutic effect on the respiratory system, expanding the bronchi and thinning phlegm. Endowed with expectorant properties.
- Activates intestinal and stomach motility. Increases the production of gastric juice, enzymes necessary for digestion and bile.
- Normalizes the action of the thyroid gland. Increases the production of corticosteroids. Reduces blood sugar levels.
In general, apitoxin is used as a remedy that relieves inflammation, including joint diseases.
Correct treatment with this remedy has a beneficial effect on the body, since in case of severe pain it acts instantly.
Bee venom preparations
Bee venom is often used in the manufacture of medicinal products and cosmetics (balm, cream, ointment, lipstick, and the like). It is always mentioned in the composition, because many people are allergic to it. Often, even on the main label, a note is made that the preparation contains bee venom.
Bee venom treatment is called apitherapy.
Before using drugs, the instructions for use are first studied. For example, Sophia cream with bee venom is used exclusively as an ointment for the skin! It helps with pain and is used for joints, muscles. To strengthen blood vessels, drugs such as Apifor or Apizartron are often recommended. They are also used externally. Such medicinal substances as Virapin, Sustavit, Comfrey with bee venom are also known. All of them have their own actions, composition, so the instructions should be studied in any case!
First aid for a bee sting
If an unpleasant story happened to you, and you were bitten by bees, you need to act quickly and competently! What needs to be done?
- Remove all stings with tweezers.
- Lubricate the bite sites abundantly with ammonia, vodka, iodine, onion juice, wormwood, garlic, honey, parsley juice (to some extent, they destroy the poison).
- Take antihistamines orally (diphenhydramine, suprastin). If you do not have the necessary medicines at hand, give the victim a drink of milk or kefir.
- Apply ice to the bite site. If there is no ice, a towel soaked in cold water will do. The cold will relieve pain and swelling. If a bee stung you in the mouth, ice cream is what you need!
So that you do not have to cope with the consequences, you need to know the rules of behavior in the habitats of bees. First, don't swing your arms around to drive away the bees. Do not move too vigorously around the apiary. Be calm, keep all your movements monotonous and not too harsh. Secondly, do not go to the apiary with alcoholic beverages or even drunk.
Bees do not tolerate the smell of alcohol, oil products, garlic and the smell of poison from killed insects.
Reviews of bee venom
There are many reviews about preparations with bee venom. In the absence of contraindications, this remedy is quite effective in various cases.
- Olga Ostapenko: “When there were pains in the knee joint, I decided to buy“ Sophia ”cream with bee venom. It was also used by my mother, so I knew a lot about its effectiveness. The cream has a pleasant smell, a bit like propolis, absorbs well, leaves no residue. I used it 2 times a day - in the morning and in the evening, only for joints, rubbing into painful areas. A week later, the crunch disappeared, the pain decreased, the skin became smoother, the small varicose veins disappeared, so I am satisfied with the remedy. "
- Sasha Prokopenko: “My family got acquainted with apitherapy when my father began to have difficulty walking. Doctors did not really determine the cause, but many diagnoses were made without treatment. In the village, we were advised to poison bees, and since there was no alternative, they began treatment. In the first month there was no use, but in the second month my father's pain was almost gone. After about six months of treatment, my father recovered and began to walk normally. Now our family treats any natural medicines with bee venom with respect, they really help! "
- Petr Zakharchenko: “I have been using Apizartron ointment for more than a year. I am a former athlete and therefore sometimes there are pains in joints, muscles, if I do not exercise. Apizartron is a good ointment for warming up muscles, for any back pain, it is also effective for joints. The ointment is well absorbed, has a pleasant smell, and the ingredients are natural, so I recommend it. "
