Bee venom

[Purple-rose]

I was wondering if any of you lovely people on here has tried bee venom gel for pain relief.

I was told about it the other day and have done some research but the reviews are very mixed so I’m hoping someone on here can help. I know I will need to check with medical people before using it but would like a bit more information before doing so.

[Runrig01]

I had a friend gave me a tube when I badly injured my knee last year. I did notice it eased my tendon pain, with a similar result to voltarol gel. It’s very expensive for a tiny tube, so I stick with voltarol or brufen gel. It didn’t help with deeper pain.

[Purple-rose in reply to Runrig01]

Thank you for your reply. I didn’t want to pay out and find it was no different to what I already use.

[medway-lady]

I’ve never heard of it, but years ago I was in Tunisia and really banged my knee, it really did swell and I tried an essential oil and remarkable it did go down. It was something to do with bees I think because the label had a bee on it but what I don’t know. It smelt like lemons and it could have been the massaging it in but I was glad to be able to continue round the souk. It cost pence !

[oldtimer2]

have a look at the current level of knowledge about this treatment, I've copied the summary below:

webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingre...

Likely Effective for

Bee sting allergy. A series of bee venom shots under the skin (bee venom immunotherapy) seems to be effective for reducing reactions to bee stings in people with severe allergy to bee stings. Bee venom immunotherapy provides 98% to 99% protection from reactions to bee stings. Once immunotherapy is stopped, the risk of reaction over the next 5 to 10 years is about 5% to 15%. Purified bee venom for under-the-skin injection is an FDA approved product.

Possibly Ineffective for

Multiple sclerosis (MS). Administering live bee stings in gradually increasing doses up to 20 stings given three times weekly does not seem to improve multiples sclerosis. Treatment for 24 weeks does not seem to improve fatigue, disability, or quality of life.

Insufficient Evidence for

Stiffness and pain in the shoulderjoint (frozen shoulder). Early research suggests that receiving dilute bee venom injections might improve pain and disability in people with frozen shoulder. But it doesn't seem to improve range of motion. Also, very dilute bee venom injects don't seem to be beneficial.

Osteoarthritis. Early research on the use of bee venom for osteoarthritis is mixed. But one large study shows that injecting bee venom into the skin at certain points in the knees and back might improve pain and function in people with osteoarthritis of the knee.

Parkinson disease. Early research shows that dilute bee venom injections may improve symptoms in people with Parkinson disease. But if the dose of bee venom is too low, it might not help.

Stroke. Bee venom acupuncture seems to improve pain but not movement in people with shoulder pain after stroke.

A condition that causes nerve pain, itching, and dark patches of skin on the upper back (notalgia paresthetica).

Fibromyalgia.

Nerve pain.

Painful conditions caused by overuse of tendons (tendinopathy).

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of bee venom for these uses.

Hope that helps in your decision - remember to check that it won't interact with any current medication if you do decide to spend money on something that has yet to be shown to be effective....

[Purple-rose in reply to oldtimer2]

Thank you so much for that it is very helpful.

[Deeb1764]

I used to have bee venom facials and my skin was amazing with them! Can’t afford them anymore but based on the research done might be worth a try! Old timer info is fab

[1330-30]

I found it was no better than voltarol and much more expensive,

[GranAmie]

Haven't tried that, but if my hands are playing up I head outside to grasp nettles ... but not roadside ones as they are often sprayed with weedkiller. Seems to help and costs nowt. xx