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 bodyfs 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. Noted Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia; gThese 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 otherwise have 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 HIV and 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. Sunday Vanguard sought opinions of experts.
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 many
wonders.
He added, gHoney 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 for healing 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 include headache, 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. gThe best remedy for arthritis is Bee Venon Therapy,
BVT,h he stated.
Mr. Ndubuisi Okwum , a staff of Scripture Union, Nigeria, echoed
Salako’s view. He said: gI learnt a bit of apiculture at Umudike, Abia
State and since the 90s, I have known that bee sting can cure malaria
(apipuncture), 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; gThis is what we call nature
signature. This is the suggestion of what a fruit or leaf or animal or
insect can cure by looking at its 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 itfs a great possibility that the cure for
HIV can come from it. More research is needed to get a pure sample that
will do this without rendering the surrounding cells useless or dead.
If you have a severe headache and I administer BVT via a bee sting,
there will be quick relief. As an 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 is free from having
fever regularly, free from insomnia, high blood pressure, skin problems,
eye problem, 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; gI have used bee venom to treat some HIV positive
patients. I say it on live broadcast but many people donft believe it.
If Vanguard can just look for one confirmed HIV-positive patient, they
should send him/her to me. After 8 ? 12 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 gbee venom contains a potent toxin
called melittin that can poke holes in the protective envelope that
surrounds HIV and other viruses. It has even shown melittin-loaded
nanoparticles to be effective in killing tumor cells.h
Asked if any kind of bee could be used for BVT, Salako replied in the
negative saying; gThe female bees are the only ones that can sting 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
