Apis

Apis mellifera

Origin
Made from the native European honey bee, which can today be found throughout Europe and in Canada, the US, and many other countries.

Background
Bee-derived substances such as beeswax and honey have long been used in many medicinal traditions, including ancient Greek, Western, Chinese, and Unani.

Preparation
The remedy is made from the whole female bee, including the stinger, or from the stinger alone. The insect is crushed, dissolved in alcohol, diluted, and succussed.

Common Names
Honey bee.

HONEY BEE Carried only by the female bee, the stinger can cause constriction of the airways or even collapse in people who are allergic to its poison.

Key Symptoms

burning, stinging pains; swelling of affected areas; allergic reactions; anxious restlessness; jealousy

A 9,000-year-old cave painting depicting a figure taking honey from a hive is the oldest record of our relationship with the honey bee. Bees provide us with more than just honey, however: beeswax is refined and used in ointments and polishes; propolis (a resin collected by bees from tree buds) is used medicinally; and royal jelly is taken as a nutritional supplement. The homeopathic remedy, proved in 1852 by Dr. Frederick Humphries, is often used to treat insect bites and stings.

Remedy Profile

Homeopaths easily recognize people likely to benefit from Apis because, in some ways, their behavior echoes that of bees. They tend to be fussy, restless, irritable types who are hard to please. Frantic hours spent cleaning and sorting, sometimes clumsily, often accomplish little. A vulnerable side reveals oversensitivity, sadness, weepiness, and an aversion to being alone. This need for company gives this type of person a reputation as a "queen bee" who organizes everyone. They reserve a sting in their tails for those who upset them. Fiercely territorial, they can be highly jealous or suspicious of newcomers.

Apis is prescribed generally for symptoms that start on the right side and move to the left side. Ailments treated with Apis include urticaria (hives), insect bites or stings, and burns. It is used for urinary infections such as cystitis, and for edema or urine retention, especially in newborn babies. Inflammation of the eyes, mouth, or throat, and fever may also be helped.

Urticaria, bites & stings

Symptoms: The skin is itchy, swollen, and highly sensitive to touch, with stinging pain. It may be puffy and blotchy, with raised bumps that seem full of water. Urticaria may develop after a chill or fever.

Symptoms better: For cool surroundings; for washing; for cold compresses on the skin.

Symptoms worse: For heat; for hot, stuffy rooms; at night; for touch or pressure on the affected area.

Cystitis

Symptoms: Burning, stinging pain in the urethra and bladder on passing urine. The need to urinate is frequent, but only meager amounts of urine are passed. Kidney inflammation with puffy eyes and a lack of thirst may also respond to Apis.

Symptoms better: For cool surroundings.

Symptoms worse: For heat; for pressure on the bladder.

Edema

Symptoms: Swelling of body tissues due to fluid retention. The swelling may be associated with arthritis (accompanied by the typical burning or stinging pain), meningitis, pleurisy, or peritonitis.

Symptoms better: For cold compresses on the affected area.

Symptoms worse: For heat; for touch or pressure on the affected area.

Inflammation of the eyes, lips, mouth, or throat

Symptoms: Inflammation of the eyes, mouth, or throat. The eyes are red, sore, and sensitive to light. They may water profusely with hot tears. The mouth and throat are swollen, and are subject to burning pains. Any swelling in the throat may obstruct breathing. There is a marked lack of thirst.

Symptoms better: For cold compresses on the affected area; for inhaling cool air.

Symptoms worse: For heat; for hot, stuffy rooms; for touch.

Fever

Symptoms: Fever with a total lack of thirst and possible sore throat. There may be a severe headache with stabbing pains, in which the head feels hot. There may also be chills, and the skin is dry and sensitive.

Symptoms better: For cool surroundings; for uncovering; for cold compresses.

Symptoms worse: For heat; for hot, stuffy rooms; for sleep; for touch or pressure on the affected area.

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