Bee Venom Blocks Arthritis Inflammation A team of investigators in South Korea gave very low doses of bee venom to rats with advanced rheumatoid arthritis. The treatment resulted in dramatic reductions of tissue swelling on affected paws. Researchers then examined the effects of bee venom on synovial cells (cells lining the joints) obtained from human patients. The venom blocked the expression of inflammatory genes, much like COX-2 inhibitor drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. The researchers focused on melittin, a major component of bee venom and a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. They say this may hold the key to the anti-arthritic effects of bee venom. According to the article, healers have practiced apitherapy, the use of honeybee products for curative purposes, since ancient times. Within the last few decades, conventional doctors have joined holistic practitioners in exploring the potential for bee venom to treat a wide variety of conditions from acute tendonitis to chronic back pain. More research is needed to establish bee venom as a therapy, however. The way bee venom works remains a mystery. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, destructive disease characterized by pain, stiffness, inflammation, swelling, and sometimes destruction of the joints. This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/. SOURCE: Arthritis & Rheumatism, 2004;50:3504-3515 Ann's NOTE: Some years ago while at my first conference on alternative medicine, I joined a group of interested people to watch a woman with MS give herself bee stings. She told the audience that she had found it to be helpful and was able to stop using her wheelchair and get back on crutches, then to a cane. She had to keep doing it from time to time as her disease continued. Another man spoke about the use for arthritis. Now conventional medicine and alternative therapies join forces in this study. Always good for us patients! Our source: Ivanhoe.com Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.