If reports from the researches of a team of medical practitioners at
the Washington University School of Medicine, USA, and the testimony
of an Ibadan-based apitherapist are anything to go by, perhaps the
world should get ready to heave a sigh of relief from AIDS and cancer.
Unlike most other ailments where the body's defence apparatus fights
foreign objects thereby protecting the body, in the case of HIV,it
attacks the soldiers, the T-helper lymphocytes, also called CD4 or T4
cells. NotedWikipedia Fre e Encyclopedia; t hese are white blood
cells that are essential part of the human immune system. They are
called helper cells because one of their main roles is to send signals
to other types of immune cells, including CD8 killer cells.
T4 cells send the signal and CD8 cells destroy and kill the infection
or virus. But as a popular Igbo adage says, when the lion is
incapacitated, the antelope visits to settle old scores, so if CD4
cells become depleted, as is the case in untreated HIV infection, or
immune suppression, the body is left vulnerable to a wide range of
infections that it would otherwisehave been able to fight. �
Following the report of the US-based medical scientists (Hood J.L,
Jallouk A.P, Campbell N, Ratner L and Wickline S.A) that a toxin
(melittin) found in bee venom could destroy HIVand tumor cells without
harming nearby cells, there have been varied reactions from the
public. Some described it as a miracle, others were skeptical while a
few said it was impossible.
Bee venom as a weapon:
Engr. Ayodele Salako, an Ibadan-based apiculturist/apitherapist, said
although most orthodox medicine practitioners do not believe in
alternative medicine, the answer to most diseases of man lies with
nature and, unless we go closer to nature, we will not discover its
manywonders.
He added, h oney bee venom, also called apitoxin, is one of the major
products of the bees and they use it to defend themselves, the queen
bee and their territory, it is their weapon. Also God has put
something in the bee venom forhealing so once a bee stings you, 45
minutes or one hour later, it dies and that venom, within your body
system, begins to do a lot of wonders.The introduction of that venom
through the stinger into your system may cause some pains and that
pain is the pain that kills pains, he said.
Bee venom therapy (BVT):
Salako reeled out a number of ailments that could be combated with bee
venom which includeheadache, insomnia, osteoarthritis, fractures,
inflammation, high blood pressure, skin problems, back pain,
infertility in women, eye problems, wounds that have refused to go for
about two-three years. The best remedy for arthritis is Bee Venom
Therapy, BVT, he stated.
Mr. Ndubuisi Okwum , a staff of Scripture Union, Nigeria, echoed
Salako's view. He said: I learnt a bit of apiculture at Umudike, Abia
State and since the 90s, I have known that bee sting can cure malaria
(acupuncture), so I am not surprised at this recent research
development. �
Mr. Harry Porter, reacting to the story, HIV, cancer: Bee venom to the
rescue on Vanguard website, said; this is what we call nature
signature. This is the suggestion of what a fruit or leaf or animal or
insect can cure by looking atits structure and what it resembles.
Taking a good look at bees, you can see that the comb resembles a DNA
structure and a virus. So it' s agreat possibility that the cure for
HIV can comefrom it. More research is needed to get a pure sample that
will do this without rendering t he surrounding cells useless or dead.
If you have a severe headache and I administer BVT via a bee sting,
there will be quick relief. Asan apitherapist, I studied body anatomy
so I know at what points to apply the bee sting so that the venom can
be carried through the required route to the targeted site. If you
complain of insomnia and I give you BVT, within 20 minutes, you will
sleep off," said Salako, noting that "a farmer who goes to the farm
and is being stung by bees will not fall ill easily. He isfree from
having fever regularly, free from insomnia, high blood pressure, skin
problems, eyeproblem, back pain, HIV etc. Bee venom is very powerful
against many ailments."
Bee venom against HIV
Salako, who claims to have been treating HIV-positive people with bee
venom, said; I have used bee venom to treat some HIV positive
patients. I say it on live broadcast but many people don't believe it.
If one can just look for one confirmed HIV-positive patient, they
shouldsend him/her to me. After 8-1 2 weeks of treatment, the person
will go for another test. Usually, after the first 8-12 weeks of
treatment, he will notice a decrease in the viral load. Then we
continue the treatment for another 4-5 weeks and the patient goes for
another test until there is no more AIDS virus in the system. Apart
from the BVT, I also apply other bee products like propolis with
honey. �
The researchers had said that bee venom contains a potent toxin called
melittin that can poke holes in the protective envelope that sur
rounds HIV and other viruses. It has even shownmelittin-loaded
nanoparticles to be effective in killing tumor cells.
Asked if any kind of bee could be used for BVT,Salako replied in the
negative saying; t he female bees are the only ones that can sti ng so
only female bees are used in BVT.
The male bees are called drones; the mature female bees are called
queens which lay the eggs. The drones cannot sting; their main
function is to fertilize the virgin queen during her mating flight
after which they die. �
Extinction of bees:
Some people argue that if the anti-HIV/cancer activities of bee venom
proves to be true, then bees may become extinct sooner than later but
Salako allayed this fear saying that a queen can lay about 2,500 -
3,000 eggs per day, adding that it will rather create the much needed
job for the youths.
Source: Vanguard
