Science of Bee Venom Therapy

Clinical Trial Results on Nectar Ease™, November 2000

An early clinical trial on 20 arthritis patients conducted in Auckland found that 66% of patients experienced a reduction in their pain levels when treated by Nectar Ease™. Encouraged by these results, Nelson Apiaries went on to conduct a full double blind trial in Hamilton under Dr Alan Dobe, Rheumatologist. Just completed, this trial showed statistically significant improvements in the level of pain for the osteo arthritis patients and in mobility for both osteo and rheumotoid arthritis patients.

An improvement in pain was observed in 66% of osteo arthritis patients treated with Nectar Ease™.

In both trials patients remained on their regular therapies which included non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (Voltaren etc), aspirin and paracetamol.

These trials confirm what our customers have been telling us for years – that our unique mix of bee venom and our special brand of manuka honey helps reduce the pain of arthritis.

Bee Venom Components

The actual healing process is still a bit of a mystery but ongoing research has identified a number of naturally occurring chemical compounds, which appear to work together in the body. One possible way that bee venom works its anti-inflammatory effects is by assisting the production of cortisoles in the human body. This is compared to synthetic cortisone with out the side effects. Bee venom has anti-oxidant qualities, which make it effective as a booster for the natural immune system.

Research has so far established that Bee Venom Therapy stimulates the activity of the immune system so the body produces it’s own healing agents

Like many alternative and folk remedies there seems little evidence to suggest a mechanism by which bees venom could have any therapeutic value. However, there have been studies performed which have demonstrated the existence of compounds in bees venom with important and very relevant pharmacological properties. Amongst the most important of these seems to be Peptide-401, commonly referred to as the mast cell degranulating peptide of MCD for short. Researchers from Guys Hospital and the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology published a report in 1973 about Peptide-401 in which they demonstrated it to be 100 times more effective as an anti-inflammatory agent than hydro cortisone. However, another compound that has come under great scrutiny is Mellitin which forms the bulk of dried bees venom. Many studies have been performed around the world investigating its properties one of which demonstrated it to inhibit the formation of free radicals which are believed to contribute to joint damage. Mellitin has also been shown to indirectly stimulate the adrenal gland to produce the bodies own cortisol by stimulating the pituitary gland to release ACTH.

“Bee Venom Therapy is a classic example of the homeopathic principal, which states that a substance that produces the symptoms of a disease is a cure for that disease. Rheumatic diseases result in swelling, pain and inflammation. A bee sting causes the same symptoms. The sting stimulates the immune system to relive the inflammation caused by the bee venom, while relieving the symptoms of the rheumatic disease at the same time. Bee Venom Therapy stimulates the immune system through the hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal glands. This therapeutic effect stimulates the immune system rather than suppressing it, completely contrary to the effects of many drugs. ” – Charles Mraz, Health and the Honeybee, p. 46; Queen City Publications, 1995

Bees venom contains a compound called apamin which enhances long term synaptic transmission and dopamine which helps increase motor activity. The implications of their actions are obvious although not proven in any studies. In addition there is a component of bees venom called adolapin, also a neurotransmitter, that has been shown to have an analgesic effect which may be important for those who suffer pain as one of the symptoms.

Nectar Ease™ Honey is a creamed blend of Manuka honey and other honey, with Manuka constituting between 60-65% of the raw material before processing. The bee venom component is considered to be the active compound in the product. The venom composition and strength varies between honeybee species and small variances are even identifiable inter-specifically between races and locations. The bee venom used in the Nectar Ease™ product is extracted exclusively from the Apis Melifera species of honeybee.

The following table expresses the composition of venom from a honeybee worker as stated in the findings of two separate studies (Dotimas and Hilder, 1987 (1); Shipolini, 1984 (2)). Hilder, 1987 (1); Shipolini, 1984 (2)). These components were measured as a percentage of dry venom, with water makes up approximately 88% of venom before drying. Class of Molecules Component % of Dry Venom (1) % of Dry Venom (2)

In 1982 Bulgarian researchers Shkendrov and Koburova isolated another peptide in bee venom called adolapin and showed that it had anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

In April 1993 Chen, Chen and Sun of the Nanjing Institute of Biochemical Pharmacy in China not only noted the anti-inflammatory properties of bee venom but also demonstrated its analgesic effects.

In July 1990 Ziai, Russek, Wang, Beer, Blume from the American Cyanamid Company, Pearl River, New York, USA commented that peptide-401 displays striking immunological and pharmacological activities. They also demonstrated that MCD significantly lowered blood pressure in rats.

Glucosamine Added to Nectar Ease™ Plus – Honey and Capsules

In the case of Asthma, Eczema, Arthritis and Crohn’s Disease the body uses the immune system to cause inflammation which produces Glucuronic Acid and Glucosamine to eliminate the toxins which have entered the body through our eating, drinking and breathing habits. It is a naturally formed substance but in the above cases the body cannot produce enough to fight the imbalance and it is necessary to take some Glucosamine to supplement the body’s natural performance.

All available research prove that Glucosamine Sulfate is effective in treating Osteoarthritis. Fifteen years ago, researchers began supplementing Glucosamine Sulfate to Degenerative Joint Disease (Osteoarthritis) patients. This naturally occurring molecule is used by the body to make cartilage in healthy joints. Researchers hoped that supplying this building block might lead to repair of degenerative joint disease damaged joints. Subsequently, double blind trials have consistently shown Glucosamine Sulfate is effective. In one double blinded trial the standard dose of Glucosamine Sulfate (500 mg taken three times per day) led to a 40% drop in pain. All ten patients who received Glucosamine Sulfate in the trial had a reduction in joint swelling, and eight of the ten suffered less pain. Two other blinded trials also reported greater pain relief in the Glucosamine treated groups. Another double blinded trial reported a sharper (73%) drop in symptoms for those taking Glucosamine.

Benefits and Features include the following: