Just a sting away from pain relief

NST: JOHOR BARU: Most of us duck and run when it comes to bees, but there are people who look forward to a sting or two, or three, or more.
These people are undergoing bee venom therapy, which has become a popular alternative to acupuncture for a host of painful conditions including arthritis, rheumatism and gout, asthma and pre-menstrual tension.
Some proponents claim the therapy also relieves male impotence, the symptoms of psoriasis, epilepsy and depression, and the pain of cancer.
Some are confident enough to catch bees and let them sting the afflicted area themselves. But it is wiser to have the therapy under the supervision of experts, a service some bee farms offer.
The owner of one bee farm says it is important for clients to be tested first to check the reaction to the venom. A allergic reaction can be fatal.
Yazid Mohamad, who has had arthritis for years, goes to a bee farm for treatment.
"I read about bee venom therapy and tried it on my own. It works for me, and I have introduced it to many of my friends," he said.
"The stings are much less painful than a jab. The venom injected into my knees and finger joints relieves my pain within 15 minutes and lasts for at least a day."
Bee venom contains more than 40 active substances, including the protein melittin, which stimulates cortisol production by the adrenal glands, which is a natural anti-inflammatory.
The venom also contains "Peptide 401" which is believed to be 100 times more powerful than synthetic cortico-steroids.
A gout patient, Zaidi Ramli, said he was sceptical about the therapy but felt great relief after trying two bee stings on each of his knees.
"The pain of the bee stings is nothing compared to the pain from my gout. I now regularly have three stings on each knee, and I believe the venom has neutralised the uric acid in my knees," he said.
A pincer is used to catch caged bees, which are then applied to the painful area. Once the bee has stung, it dies and the stinger is removed.
The venom provokes an immune response. The red, swollen weal draws blood to the site of the stings and activates the body’s healing process. After 30 seconds or so the pain recedes, followed by a warm feeling.