Bee venom is the defensive secretion of the worker bee. Its use for health purposes is one of the oldest and most contested areas of apitherapy.

Composition

The venom contains peptides and enzymes. Its principal component is melittin; it also contains apamin, phospholipase A2 and other active substances.

These compounds have documented biological effects — which is precisely why they carry risk as well as interest.

The safety warning comes first

With this product the warning must precede any discussion of benefit.

• Severe allergic reaction is possible and can be fatal. This is not a theoretical risk
• Reaction can occur without prior warning. Someone who has been stung many times without trouble may still react
• Venom application must never be carried out without medical supervision and emergency provision
• Self-administration is dangerous

A producer who supplies venom or suggests its use bears responsibility for these warnings.

Where the evidence stands

Research exists in a number of areas, most of it laboratory or animal work. Human studies are limited and results inconsistent.

Some venom components are of genuine scientific interest, and this is an active field. But interest is not the same as established treatment.

Claims of curing serious disease are not supported.

Venom immunotherapy

One area is different. For people with severe allergy to bee stings, venom immunotherapy is an established medical treatment.

It is administered by physicians, with standardised preparations, under controlled conditions. It has nothing to do with unsupervised venom application.

Collection and the colony

Venom collection makes the colony defensive for days. The cost includes:

• Reduced foraging on collection days
• A markedly defensive apiary
• Stress on the colony

Collection is not carried out while supers are on, or in colonies producing other products.

Safety in collection

Dried venom is a fine powder and an irritant. A mask should be worn when scraping and processing it; those working with it regularly are at higher risk of sensitisation.

An honest position

This is the bee product where the gap between claim and evidence is widest, and where the risk is highest. That combination calls for particular care from anyone producing or supplying it.