Apitherapy, which involves using bees and products of the hive to treat health conditions, has many health uses which are reported in depth on many other web sites (see links & resources). My goal, here, is to provide information on some lesser known remedies.

Propolis/Honey Mix – Use water-based propolis (wholepropolis.com) and crystallized, or raw/unpasteurized honey (not supermarket brands – see links & resources – I use Champlain Valley Honey, but others will work, too.) Mix the propolis with the honey in a concentration of at least 1/8 propolis to 7/8 honey, or even in higher amounts such as 1/4 propolis to 3/4 honey, and keep in a sealed container. Do not refrigerate – shelf-stable as is – forever. Stir mixture before using.

Cure for the Common Cold, Sinusitis, and Ear Infections – The honey mentioned above is antibacterial in nature, and the propolis is both antibacterial and antiviral. When treated at the onset, a mix of the two can deliver a one, two punch to any respiratory tract infection including ears. Use a cotton swab dipped in the above mixture, let the excess drip-off, and insert cotton swab in the nostril as far as you can without sneezing. Twist cotton swab to leave the mixture residue in the nostril, and promptly snort into nasal cavity while holding other nostril closed. Repeat quickly with other nostril and go lay down for 5-10 minutes with head tilted back (don’t use pillow) until you taste the mixture in your throat.

Scientific Fact: Raw honey contains an enzyme (glucose oxidase) which produces hydrogen peroxide upon contact with mucous membranes, thus, killing any bacteria in the nasal passages where colds originate. You should feel a slight burning sensation that will gradually fade away in each nostril. If you don’t, you probably didn’t get it far enough into the nostril, and you may need to repeat the procedure. For ears, use an empty medicine dropper container to apply a drop to the affected ear canal. Let drain to the inner ear for at least 5 minutes with the other ear down against a surface while lying on your side. This will not harm nasal passages or ears in any way, and in each case, the propolis/honey mix will eventually be absorbed by the body tissue it comes in contact with. In addition, raw, unpasteurized honey has been proven to kill E. coli, Staph (including MRSA), P. aeruginosa, and H. pylori bacteria, which is responsible for stomach ulcers.

Wounds, Burns, and Blisters – Apply propolis/honey mixture to inside of bandage or wound dressing. Change bandage or dressing twice a day until healing has progressed to a point where wound or burn no longer needs to be covered. With blisters, lance them with a sterilized pin to remove any fluid, but leave skin covering intact, if possible. Cover with bandage as above for 1 or 2 days. Skin from the blisters will reattach, and not scab over. Propolis/honey mixture will speed the healing of any such injury to the skin and inner tissue.

Stomach or Intestinal Virus – Prepare propolis/honey mixture in stronger proportion of at least 1/4 propolis to 3/4 honey. Consume at least 1 tablespoon, 3 times a day, but it is safe to do more – you can’t overdose on this remedy. You can use charcoal tablets or capsules to remove virus toxins, but take them in between doses of propolis/honey so as not to interfere with its effectiveness. It may be preferable to mix the tablespoon of propolis/honey with yogurt or cottage cheese for taste.

Royal Jelly - Contains acetylcholine, a vital compound for facilitating nerve function. It has been reported that deficiencies of acetylcholine and dopamine are responsible for making people prone to Alzheimer’s disease. Royal Jelly may help play a preventive role, here, and can also assist those affected by mind disorders concerning anxiety, moodiness, insomnia, fatigue, and memory loss. Available in convenient freeze-dried capsules of 2,000 mg. strength from Y.S. Organic Bee Farms. A relative of mine takes 1 capsule, 3 times a day and seems to have better control of mood swings.

Bee Pollen - Regular consumption in any form, including freeze-dried capsules can lower cholesterol significantly. My overall cholesterol level went from 195 to 154 over an 8-month period without changing anything else in my diet. I took one, Y.S. Organic Bee Farms, 500 mg. freeze-dried Bee Pollen capsule, 3 times a day. It was disclosed in a recent  AAS CMAC conference, that bee pollen provides the nutrients that aid collagen formation in the body. This is particularly significant for those trying to repair tissue damage with BVT.