Bee products associated with therapy may be listed as follows:

Propolis- a mixture of resins and gums collected from unopened leaves or flower buds. Chemicals found in propolis are 45-50% resins;25-35% waxes and fatty acids; 10% essential oils ;5% protein; 5% trace minerals and other substances.

Propolis has been found to be anti-bacterial, anti-fungal,anti-viral.  Rigourous research is lacking regarding its medical use but it has been found to be an effective anti-inflammatory.

Pollen – is a protein rich substance which contains many different kinds of minerals and vitamins.  Pollen collected from bees should not be left in pollen traps for longer than 48 hours.  It is used as a useful food supplement for extra vitality for those who consume it.

Royal Jelly – is a homogenous  paste like substance produced by the hypophanyngeal glands of nurse bees. Chemically it is made up of water – 67%; Crude protein – 12.5%; Sugars-11.0%; Lipids – 5.0%; Minerals – 1%; Vitamins – ca.274ug/g.

It has a ph of 3.8.  It is feequently used as a cosmetic for rejuvenating the skin.  As a medicine it has shown positive effects in the treatment of old age conditions and mentally and physically handicapped children.

Honey – see honey above

Bee Venom – is a clear, odourless,bitter, watery liquid.The typical smell of a sting is not venom but iso-pentyl acetate which is the main component of the alarm pheromone. Chemically it is made up of 88% water; 12-16% enzymes;4-8% volatile components; 5% phospholipids;0,8 – 0,3,5% active armines;2% sugar and 0,4%-1,0%amino acids. 

Its ph is basic or alkaline. NB. It is not recommended to collect venom from the African bee as its aggressive tendencies make it likely to attack other bees and humans.  Bees my be ‘ milked for venom collection or given an electro shock to make them sting through a thin membrane. All venom use in South Africa for medicinal use is imported.