Apitherapy Health Care

Hitomi Enomoto, AAA, Honeybee Science Research Center, Tamagawa University, Machida, Tokyo 194-8610, Japan

Keywords: Asian Apicultural Association, bee venom therapy, Thailand

The International Conference on Apitherapy Health Care was in November 2009 at Mae Fah Luang University in Thailand and was attended by over 100 participants from eight countries. The Conference was organised by Professor Siriwat Wongsiri of the University School of Science and hosted by the Asian Apicultural Association (AAA), the International Apitherapy and Bee Products Society, the National Innovation Agency, the Thai Research Fund, and the Commission on Higher Education.

Papers on the use of beeswax, bee venom, honey, mead, pollen, propolis and royal jelly were presented by Thai and international delegates. Displays by local companies of value-added bee products including bee pollen crackers, cosmetics with honey, fruits in honey, honey vinegar and soaps attracted many university students.

The Mae Fah Luang University Hospital has been built recently on campus. The Conference Workshop on Bee Sting Therapy - Api-acupuncture was held in the hospital. It was the first time bee sting therapy had been demonstrated in Thailand. Patients suffering from back pain, rheumatism and skin diseases were treated by therapists from China.

Patients at Mae Fah Luang University Hospital received bee venom therapy during the Conference Workshop on ‘Api-acupuncture’

AAA was established in 1992 to encourage friendly exchange of information between beekeepers and bee scientists in Asia. Details of how to join AAA are on the Bf D website.

The 10th AAA Conference will be held in Pusan, Korea in November 2010. See www.bee.or.kr BfDJ is proud to be the official Newsletter of AAA