Apitherapy and Gynaecology –To What Extent Can Methods from This Area Be Alternatives to Conventional Ones?

Abstract

Background: Some holistic apitherapists claim that conventional medicine can be replaced by apitherapy. This claim has never been substantiated or falsified. Methods/Design: Since holistic apitherapy is mainly promoted in books, we analyzed 135 books on apitherapy written in either German, English or French. We also compared the recommendations with findings from preclinical and clinical studies on the various bee products. Results: A maximum of 6 topics were discussed in apitherapy books in relation to the top 20 gynaecological diagnoses. However, the mean was only 1.6 topics. We also found that the important topics like endometriosis, ovarian cysts, pelvic pain and vulvodynia were not discussed in any of books. Furthermore, we found that there was significant variation in the treatment recommendations for most of the top 20 gynaecological problems.