Users are discovering for themselves that bee venom helps sufferers of arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, multiple sclerosis, and high blood cholesterol levels. Glucosamine may help with joint restoration and healing of the digestive tract, strengthening the immune system, replacing skin tissue, and improving muscle, cartilage and tendons - together with the benefits of Nectar Ease honey. Manuka Honey with 25 gm of Glucosamine Sulphate added.
The source of Glucosamine used in Nectar Ease Plus is an extract of shells of crustacea. The suggested dose of Nectar EasePlus is 2 teaspoons a day, which gives 850mg of glucosamine daily.
Bee Venom
Bee venom is a complex mixture of proteins, enzymes, peptides, amines, amino acids and sugars with unique pharmacological activities, (Vick 1972). Enzymes are proteins that catalyse chemical reactions in living systems. The two main enzymes in bee venom are hyaluronidase and phospholipase and these contribute to the severe allergic reactions to bee venom experienced by some people. Peptides are proteins that possess specific biological activities. The three major components in bee venom are Melittin (50% of lyophilised venom by weight), Apamin (3%) and Peptide 401 (2% - also called Mast Cell Degranulating Peptide). Melittin is a very strong anti-inflammatory agent, which may also have anti-oxidant properties. Apamin enhances long-term synaptic transmission through blocking calcium-dependent potassium channels and shortening the duration of nerve action potentials. Peptide 401 leads to the release of histamine.
Other pharmacologically active compounds present in bee venom include hyaluronidase (2%), dopamine (1%) and noradrenaline (1%).
Just how bee venom was first linked, as a possible treatment for arthritis is uncertain, suffice to say that it has been used for this purpose for over 2000 years. Traditional therapy involves the application of bee stings to affected areas of the patient over a period of time and there are numerous apitherapists practising around the world supported by a wealth of anecdotal and clinical trial evidence.
