Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

104 •MAJOR ANIMAL REMEDIESApis melliferaAPISKEY SYMPTOMS burning, stinging pains• swelling of affected areas • allergic reactions• anxious restlessness • jealousyA 9,000-year-old cave painting depicting a figure takinghoney from a hive is the oldest record of our relationship withthe 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 usedmedicinally; 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 PROFILEHomeopaths easily recognize people likely tobenefit from Apis because, in some ways, theirbehavior echoes that of bees. They tend to befussy, restless, irritable types who are hard toplease. Frantic hours spent cleaning andsorting, sometimes clumsily, often accomplishlittle. A vulnerable side reveals oversensitivity,sadness, weepiness, and an aversion to beingalone. This need for company gives this typeof person a reputation as a “queen bee” whoorganizes everyone. They reserve a sting intheir tails for those who upset them. Fiercelyterritorial, they can be highly jealous orsuspicious of newcomers.Apis is prescribed generally for symptomsthat start on the right side and move to theleft side. Ailments treated with Apis includeurticaria (hives), insect bites or stings, andburns. It is used for urinary infections suchas cystitis, and for edema or urine retention,especially in newborn babies. Inflammationof the eyes, mouth, or throat, and fever mayalso be helped.Urticaria, bites & stingsSYMPTOMS The skin is itchy, swollen, andhighly sensitive to touch, with stinging pain.It may be puffy and blotchy, with raisedbumps that seem full of water. Urticaria maydevelop after a chill or fever (see right).Symptoms better For cool surroundings; forwashing; for cold compresses on the skin.Symptoms worse For heat; for hot, stuffyrooms; at night; for touch or pressure on theaffected area.CystitisSYMPTOMS Burning, stinging pain in theurethra and bladder on passing urine.The need to urinate is frequent, but onlymeager amounts of urine are passed.Kidney inflammation with puffy eyesand a lack of thirst may also respondto Apis.Symptoms better For cool surroundings.Symptoms worse For heat; for pressure onthe bladder.EdemaSYMPTOMS Swelling of body tissues due tofluid retention. The swelling may beassociated with arthritis (accompanied by thetypical burning or stinging pain), meningitis,pleurisy, or peritonitis.Symptoms better For cold compresses on theaffected area.Symptoms worse For heat; for touch orpressure on the affected area.Inflammation of the eyes, lips,mouth, or throatSYMPTOMS Inflammation of the eyes,mouth, or throat. The eyes are red, sore,and sensitive to light. They may waterprofusely with hot tears. The mouth andthroat are swollen, and are subject toburning pains. Any swelling in the throatmay obstruct breathing. There is a markedlack of thirst.Symptoms better For cold compresses on theaffected area; for inhaling cool air.Symptoms worse For heat; for hot, stuffyrooms; for touch.SOURCE DETAILSORIGINMade from the native European honey bee,which can today be found throughout Europeand in Canada, the US, and many othercountries.BACKGROUNDBee-derived substances such as beeswaxand honey have long been used in manymedicinal traditions, including ancient Greek,Western, Chinese, and Unani.PREPARATIONThe remedy is made from the whole femalebee, including the stinger, or from the stingeralone. The insect is crushed, dissolved inalcohol, diluted, and succussed.COMMON NAMEHoney bee.FeverBee’s hairy coat picksup and transportspollen from flowersHONEY BEE Carried only by the female bee, thestinger can cause constriction of the airways or evencollapse in people who are allergic to its poison.SYMPTOMS Fever with a total lack of thirst andpossible sore throat. There may be a severeheadache with stabbing pains, in which thehead feels hot. There may also be chills, andthe skin is dry and sensitive.Symptoms better For cool surroundings;for uncovering; for cold compresses.Symptoms worse For heat; for hot, stuffyrooms; for sleep; for touch or pressure on theaffected area.See also Circulation, page 184; Osteoarthritis, page 196; Prostate problems, page 202; Allergies, page 206; Urticaria, page 242