Rediscovering the Hive
At the recent Apitherapy Symposium in the Western Cape, honey bees were honoured not only as pollinators but as partners in health. The sessions led by Dr Stefan Stangaciu covered hive therapies with clarity and insight, supported by compelling research presentations and personal stories. Beekeepers from across South Africa joined practitioners and researchers, creating a shared platform to explore hive-derived therapies and their real-world applications.
Translating Research into Practice
What I found particularly interesting was that bee venom, a bioactive secretion of peptides and enzymes, is gaining recognition for its applications in fertility care. In a study using PCOS-induced Wistar rats, researchers administered bee venom intraperitoneally at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg for two weeks. Results showed a significant reduction in ovarian inflammation, with lowered levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and reduced expression of COX-2 and VEGF.
These molecules are associated with cyst formation and disrupted ovulation. The changes coincided with the return of healthy follicular structures and the emergence of corpora lutea, indicating resumed ovulatory activity (Elyasi et al., 2019; Hussein et al., 2020).
Praxis has followed these findings. One clinic applied bee venom through ultrasound-assisted phonophoresis over seven to fourteen weeks in obese women with PCOS. Participants showed lowered LH levels, an improved LH/FSH ratio, reduced CRP, and higher progesterone. These changes were consistent with restored menstrual and ovarian function (Soliman et al., 2021). A small case series involving PCOS and amenorrhoea patients used bee sting therapy at acupuncture points. FSH and LH levels normalised in most participants. Two resumed menstruation, and one became pregnant after adding clomiphene (Kassab, 2017).
These methods, including systemic venom injections, focused phonophoresis, and targeted sting acupuncture, are helping to reset inflammation and hormonal balance in practical, real-world fertility care.
All about Bee VenomWhat is less discussed, yet equally compelling, is the ancient thread running beneath this. In Traditional Korean Medicine, bee venom pharmacopuncture is still used to stimulate ovulation in women with stagnated Qi.
This overlap of endocrine regulation, immune reset, and ancient energetic thinking makes bee venom a fascinating agent in fertility restoration, one that may operate on more than one level at once.
Similar practices were noted in Persian and early Eastern European medicine, where insect bites were applied to restore monthly cycles. In biodynamic healing circles, bee venom has also been described as a kind of cellular awakener, something that does not simply reduce inflammation but helps to rekindle the deep cycles of the body that may have gone dormant through trauma, stress, or systemic overload.
Mechanistically, melittin and apamin, two principal peptides in bee venom, are now being studied not only for their anti-inflammatory effects but also for their action on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. Early animal studies suggest an influence on GnRH signalling, which could account for some of the ovulatory recoveries seen in case studies. Others have explored its impact on insulin sensitivity and neuropeptide release, both of which are highly relevant in PCOS.
Beyond Fertility to the Broader Hive Health Applications
Apitherapy’s reach extends beyond bee venom. Propolis, royal jelly, bee bread, and honey are increasingly incorporated into integrative protocols. At the symposium, practitioners shared case studies involving propolis for wound healing and antimicrobial support, as well as royal jelly for hormonal balance, metabolic restoration, and chronic fatigue. These real-world applications, though less extensively studied than pharmaceuticals, reflect growing use in functional health practices.
Why It Matters Now
Infertility is increasingly recognised as a global public health concern. According to the World Health Organization, one in six adults, approximately 17.5 percent of people worldwide, experience infertility at some point. This is nearly double the rate from a decade ago. In South Africa, the fertility rate has declined from 2.9 births per woman in 1998 to around 2.2 today. Sub-Saharan Africa, where half of worldwide infertility cases occur, faces stigma and limited access to care. These trends highlight the urgent need for accessible, effective support options.
South Africa’s Opportunity
South Africa has the infrastructure to become a hub for responsible apitherapy development. Strong beekeeper communities, ecological diversity, and a growing functional health culture make it an ideal environment. Not least of which is the research presented by Prof Sandy van Vuuren of the University of Witwatersrand, clearly indicating that selected South African honey and hive by-products are of a far, and I mean by a long way, superior quality than those of some well-known honey-producing countries. In fact, when tested against recognised global standard bests, they were literally hives ahead.
Furthermore, the symposium underscored the importance of collaboration, ensuring hive products are ethically sourced, scientifically validated, and delivered with individualised care. Dr Stangaciu spent some time going through the process of how beekeepers can manage hives and product extraction to ensure that only the highest standard and quality of product is used in apitherapy.
Integrating bee venom for fertility and propolis for immune support fits within holistic models that value root-cause health. Additionally, this aligns with emerging trends in wellness tourism. By making these therapies part of integrative fertility programmes, South Africa could offer unique, nature-based alternatives to standard fertility clinics.
LOOKING AHEAD
Bee venom protocols for fertility are already being practised, and other hive products are entering mainstream functional health. If bee venom can restore reproductive health, questions arise about what else the hive may offer, perhaps in metabolic, immune, or neurohealth support.
As infertility rates rise, both globally and locally, bee-derived therapies offer a potentially powerful addition to our healthcare portfolio.
The Apitherapy Symposium illuminated a hive of possibility. The next challenge lies in rigorous clinical trials, practitioner education, and public awareness to ensure hive remedies are used safely and effectively.
As research progresses and protocols mature, we may find that this tiny insect holds outsized promise for our health and collective future.
All readers interested to learn more should follow and join the South African Apitherapy Association for future courses, workshops and more at member rates.
You can find current information and contacts hereLearn about bee hive products, from short and sweet info to in-depth research papers. I wish for you to be as fascinated as I am.
bee hive productsSOMETHING TO REMEMBER
Any irradiated honey, which includes all imported honey into South Africa, will not deliver the healing benefits it should. Irradiation wipes out all the beneficial enzymes, antimicrobial compounds, and subtle bioactive properties that give raw honey its therapeutic edge. If you’re using honey for health, always choose local, unprocessed, non-irradiated options. Your body (and the bees) will thank you.
Thank you to Pabala Pure Honey, a Honey Route partner, for the use of the main image.
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