Honey & Bee Products · Bee product
Bee Venom (Apitherapy)
Venom of Apis mellifera (honey bee) · also called Apitoxin, bee sting therapy, bee venom acupuncture, live bee acupuncture
Bee venom is the liquid a honey bee injects when it stings. In apitherapy it is used as live stings, injections or creams. It can cause anaphylaxis, a sudden allergic reaction that can kill, and a death after live bee acupuncture has been reported. Trials found no benefit in multiple sclerosis or Parkinson disease, and pain results are small and uncertain. This page gives no method or amount, on purpose.
General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made
About Bee Venom (Apitherapy)
Bee venom is not a safe home remedy. It can cause anaphylaxis, including deaths, and side effects are frequent. In trials it did not help multiple sclerosis or Parkinson disease, and pain benefits are small and uncertain.
What trials found
A trial of live bee stings in 26 people with MS found no benefit, and a neurology guideline rates it possibly ineffective. A trial of venom injections in 40 people with Parkinson disease found no clear benefit; four people left after positive allergy skin tests. Small Korean pain trials found modest gains over saline, but the trials were few and mixed.
Venom immunotherapy for people who are allergic to stings is a separate, specialist treatment. It does not show that venom works for pain or illness.
What it is
Bee venom is a mixture of peptides, enzymes and other molecules. Named active parts include melittin, apamin, adolapin and phospholipase A2. Findings in cells and animals do not show effects in people, and bee venom products showed strong cell toxicity in a lab test.
At a glance
Traditional uses history, not proof
- Used today in some Korean and other medicine settings, mainly as bee venom acupuncture for muscle and joint pain (2025 review).
- Used by some people with multiple sclerosis who believed it could stabilise the disease, though no trial justified it before 2005 (trial abstract).
- Sold in creams and serums for skin (2021 review).
Studied for research
- Multiple sclerosis (live stings): no benefit, against
- Parkinson disease (injections): no clear benefit, against
- Muscle, joint and back pain (venom acupuncture): low
- Knee osteoarthritis pain (purified venom injections): very low
- Skin and anti-ageing (a mixed serum): very low
- Cancer, diabetes and brain disease (lab and animal): very low
- Sting allergy (venom immunotherapy, a separate medical treatment): high
Main compounds
- Melittin, a major venom peptide
- Apamin, a venom peptide
- Adolapin and phospholipase A2, other active parts
Common forms
- Live bee stings
- Injected venom extracts, including at acupuncture points
- Purified venom for supervised allergy treatment (a different thing)
- Creams, serums and masks (venom content often not stated)
Research links: MedlinePlus: Insect bites and stings · MedlinePlus: Anaphylaxis · NHS: Insect bites and stings · Review of risks of bee venom therapy (abstract) · Anaphylaxis rate in venom acupuncture (abstract) · MS bee sting trial (abstract) · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library
What it is and its history
- Accepted scientific name
- Bee venom (venom of the honey bee, Apis mellifera)
- Naming authority
- Bee: Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758 (GBIF accepted)
- Synonyms
- Apitoxin; Bee sting therapy; Bee venom acupuncture; Live bee acupuncture; Apitherapy venom
- Common names
- Bee venom (English); Apitoxin (English)
- Family or group
- Apidae (bees)
- Classification
- Animalia > Arthropoda > Insecta > Hymenoptera > Apidae > Apis > Apis mellifera
- Native range
- Not checked in the sources read.
- Habitat
- Not checked.
- Cultivation
- Not checked.
- Harvest and processing
- The abstracts read say venom is used as live stings, injected extracts, purified venom for allergy treatment and in topical products. How venom is collected was not checked.
- Look-alikes and adulterants
- Name: Wasp, hornet and ant venom; Note: Sting allergy guidelines cover honeybee, wasp (vespid) and ant stings together; reactions to each can overlap but they are different venoms.; Name: Other bee products; Note: Honey, royal jelly, pollen and propolis are not venom.
- Sustainability and conservation
- Not checked.
Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof
| Tradition or era | Documented use | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Today, Korean medicine and some other settings | A 2025 review describes bee venom acupuncture as used mainly for musculoskeletal pain, mostly in Korean trials. A 2024 paper describes animal-venom pharmacopuncture as developed in South Korea and gaining popularity worldwide. Venom immunotherapy is a regulated allergy treatment in Europe and elsewhere. | p40295986 |
| Multiple sclerosis self-treatment | A 2005 trial's authors say bee sting therapy was increasingly used by people with MS who believed it could stabilise or improve the disease, though no clinical studies justified it. | p16221950 |
Traditional use shows how it was used. It does not show that it works or is safe today.
What is inside, and how it may work
What it contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.
Main compounds
| Compound | Family | Where it is concentrated | Activity studied | Level of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melittin PubChem 16133648 | peptide | Venom Named as a major bioactive constituent in a 2026 review; amounts not given in the abstract. | Reported anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity in experiments; also a cell-damaging peptide. 11 26 | Laboratory research |
| Apamin PubChem 16133797 | peptide | Venom Named as a major bioactive constituent; amount not given. | Reported analgesic and nerve-related activity in experiments. 11 27 | Laboratory research |
| Phospholipase A2 and adolapin | enzyme and peptide | Venom Named in the 2026 review; amounts not given. | Named in the review as bioactive; individual actions are not described in the abstract. 11 | Laboratory research |
Mechanisms, receptors and pathways
| Target or pathway | Gene or receptor | What was found | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-inflammatory and pain pathways | A 2026 review reports that venom components modulate oxidative stress, inflammation, cell death and immune pathways in experiments. Not shown to translate to illness in people. 11 | Laboratory research | |
| Allergic (IgE-mediated) reactions | Type 1 hypersensitivity reactions occur after venom acupuncture and venom immunotherapy; venom-specific IgE rose and then fell in the Parkinson trial. 9 6 | Human data | |
| Cell toxicity | Bee venom pharmacopuncture products showed strong cytotoxicity to cultured cells. 15 | Laboratory research |
Absorption, metabolism and elimination
- Absorption
- Not studied in the sources read.
- Distribution
- Not studied.
- Metabolism
- Not studied.
- Elimination
- Not studied.
- Bioavailability
- Not studied.
Isolated compounds versus whole extracts
Whole venom, purified venom and single peptides such as melittin are different things. A trial of purified (essential) venom found fewer local reactions than original venom. Allergy treatment with purified venom (venom immunotherapy) is a separate medical treatment and does not show that venom works for pain or disease.
Nutritional composition
Bee venom is not a food or nutrient and has no nutritional claim.
1 high certainty1 low certainty3 very low certainty2 evidence against
What was looked at
The 7 benefits and uses checked for Bee Venom (Apitherapy), each with how strong the evidence is. Tap one to open it.
- Multiple sclerosisEvidence against
- Muscle, joint and back painLow certainty
- Knee osteoarthritis painVery low certainty
- Parkinson diseaseEvidence against
- Skin and anti-ageing productsVery low certainty
- Cancer, diabetes and brain disease (laboratory and animal work)Very low certainty
- Venom immunotherapy for sting allergy (a different, medical treatment)High certainty
Lab markers tracked in the studies
New active MRI lesions (MS)Pain score (10-cm visual analogue scale)UPDRS III motor score (Parkinson disease)WOMAC pain score (knee osteoarthritis)Venom-specific IgE
What is Bee Venom (Apitherapy) good for?
The uses people ask about and how strong the human evidence is for each. None is proven to be safe, and every row must be read with the Safety tab.
Benefits, one by one
Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.
Multiple sclerosis
Evidence againstThe one controlled trial of live bee stings in 26 people with MS found no benefit on MRI lesions, relapses, disability, fatigue or quality of life. A neurology guideline rates bee sting therapy as possibly ineffective.
2 studiesLive stings, injected venom extracts (including at acupuncture points…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
One randomised crossover trial of 26 people (24 weeks of supervised bee stings versus 24 weeks with no treatment) and one 2014 American Academy of Neurology guideline.
Results
No significant fall in new gadolinium-enhancing MRI lesions. The T2*-weighted lesion load further progressed during the stings, and relapse rate, disability, fatigue and quality of life did not improve. The authors called the therapy well tolerated with no serious adverse events. The AAN guideline rated bee sting therapy as possibly ineffective (Level C) for relapses, disability, fatigue, lesion burden and quality of life.
Effect sizes as reported
No benefit on any outcome measured
Why this rating
Evidence points against benefit: a negative randomised trial and a guideline reaching the same view. The trial is small, so a small effect cannot be fully ruled out.
Form and dose studied
Live stings, injected venom extracts (including at acupuncture points) and purified venom have all been used. We give no amounts or methods; this page is not a guide to using venom.
Who was studied
Adults with relapsing forms of MS under medical supervision in a trial.
Limits
Only 26 people; no-treatment comparison rather than placebo. Tolerability in a supervised trial does not make the practice safe at home.
Why researchers looked
Bee sting therapy has been popular among people with MS who hoped it would slow the disease, though the trial authors note no clinical studies existed to justify its use before their trial.
Traditional use
Described by the trial authors as increasingly used by patients in the belief that it can stabilise or improve MS.
Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory
Venom peptides have been proposed to calm inflammation in the lab; this was not shown in the MS trial.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Bee venom can cause anaphylaxis and deaths have been reported, including after live bee acupuncture. See the Safety tab before anything else.
Muscle, joint and back pain
Low certaintyPooled small trials from Korea found less pain with venom acupuncture than with saline injections, but the trials were few and small and varied a lot. Treatment also carries a higher chance of side effects.
2 studiesLive stings, injected venom extracts (including at acupuncture points…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
An updated 2025 review of 20 randomised trials (pooled analyses of 2 and 5 trials), and one 54-person trial in chronic low back pain.
Results
Two trials (85 people): pain was lower than with a saline injection (95% CI -26.35 to -7.51 on a 100-point scale as printed in the abstract). Five trials of venom acupuncture plus acupuncture versus saline plus acupuncture (152 people): mean difference -1.24 on the 10-cm scale (95% CI -1.63 to -0.85). A 54-person trial found back pain and function better than a sham group after 3 weeks. No severe side effects were seen in the eight trials that reported them, but a large review found venom acupuncture had 3.61 times the relative risk of adverse events versus saline injection (see Safety).
Effect sizes as reported
Small average pain reduction versus sham in small trials
Why this rating
Few small trials, very different pain types, doses and venom strengths. The sting of an injection makes blinding hard. Adverse events were more frequent and anaphylaxis is a known risk.
Form and dose studied
Live stings, injected venom extracts (including at acupuncture points) and purified venom have all been used. We give no amounts or methods; this page is not a guide to using venom.
Who was studied
Adults with neck, back, shoulder or joint pain, mostly in Korean trials.
Limits
Small numbers, short follow-up, mixed methods. The abstracts do not report long-term benefit.
Why researchers looked
Venom injection at acupuncture points (bee venom acupuncture) is used mainly in Korean medicine for muscle and joint pain.
Traditional use
Bee venom is used today in Korean and some other medicine settings as bee venom acupuncture, mostly for musculoskeletal pain.
Proposed mechanism Preclinical
Venom peptides such as melittin and apamin have shown anti-inflammatory and pain-modifying actions in lab and animal work. Not shown in people.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Bee venom can cause anaphylaxis and deaths have been reported, including after live bee acupuncture. See the Safety tab before anything else.
Knee osteoarthritis pain
Very low certaintyOne large trial of 538 people reported less knee pain with purified venom injections than with a histamine control injection. It is a single trial and the abstract does not say who paid for it.
1 studiesLive stings, injected venom extracts (including at acupuncture points…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
One randomised, double-blind trial of 538 people with knee osteoarthritis (12 weeks of treatment).
Results
WOMAC pain was better with venom than with the histamine control (mean difference 1.1; 95% CI 0.3 to 2.0), and function was better too (3.1; 95% CI 0.3 to 5.9), still seen 4 weeks after treatment. Patients using rescue acetaminophen were similar in both groups (77% to 78%). Injection-site reactions were more common with venom, under 5%.
Effect sizes as reported
Pain and function scores modestly better than control
Why this rating
One trial, an unusual histamine control (so what exactly venom is compared with is unclear), short treatment time, and funding and conflicts are not stated in the abstract.
Form and dose studied
Live stings, injected venom extracts (including at acupuncture points) and purified venom have all been used. We give no amounts or methods; this page is not a guide to using venom.
Who was studied
Adults with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis.
Limits
Single trial, no independent repeat found. Results may not apply outside the trial's supervised injections.
Why researchers looked
Purified venom injections at acupuncture points were tested as a treatment for knee pain and stiffness.
Traditional use
No traditional use is described in the abstract read.
Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory
Not established in people.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Bee venom can cause anaphylaxis and deaths have been reported, including after live bee acupuncture. See the Safety tab before anything else.
Parkinson disease
Evidence againstA 40-person placebo-controlled trial of monthly venom injections found no clear benefit on movement scores or brain scans after 11 months. Four people left the trial because of positive venom allergy skin tests.
1 studiesLive stings, injected venom extracts (including at acupuncture points…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
One randomised, double-blind, saline-controlled trial of 40 people, 11 months.
Results
No significant fall in UPDRS III motor scores in the off state. Scores over the study course and dopamine-transporter scans did not differ between groups. Four people were excluded because of positive skin tests, and no systemic allergic reaction was recorded. The authors suggest higher doses or more frequent injections might work; that idea was not tested.
Effect sizes as reported
No clear benefit
Why this rating
A small negative placebo-controlled trial. Authors include a patent holder for bee venom in Parkinson disease, which is a conflict to be aware of.
Form and dose studied
Live stings, injected venom extracts (including at acupuncture points) and purified venom have all been used. We give no amounts or methods; this page is not a guide to using venom.
Who was studied
Adults with Parkinson disease, Hoehn and Yahr stages 1.5 to 3.
Limits
Only 40 people; four were removed for allergy-test reasons.
Why researchers looked
Researchers tested whether venom might ease Parkinson symptoms or slow its progress.
Traditional use
No traditional use is described in the abstract read.
Proposed mechanism Preclinical
Venom peptides were suggested to be protective of nerve cells in lab work; not shown in this trial.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Bee venom can cause anaphylaxis and deaths have been reported, including after live bee acupuncture. See the Safety tab before anything else.
Skin and anti-ageing products
Very low certaintyThe one human study found was a company-funded, uncontrolled 8-week test of a mixed serum (manuka honey, royal jelly and bee venom) in 40 women. Women reported better skin; dermatologist grading was mixed. Reviews warn about allergic reactions.
2 studiesCosmetic creams, serums and masks; venom content is often not stated.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
One 40-person uncontrolled study and a 2021 narrative review of cosmetic uses.
Results
Women reported fewer fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots and less dryness from week 2 to week 8. Dermatologist grading was mixed: 60.6% (20 people) improved in brightness, with lower percentages for overall skin health, lines, roughness, pigmentation and redness. The review says safety is a concern because skin reactions can become excessive immune responses, including anaphylaxis.
Effect sizes as reported
Self-reported improvement; mixed expert grading
Why this rating
No control group, a mixed product, mostly self-report and funding from the company that makes the serum.
Form and dose studied
Cosmetic creams, serums and masks; venom content is often not stated.
Who was studied
Women aged 40 to 55 in one product study.
Limits
The effect of venom cannot be separated from the other ingredients.
Why researchers looked
Venom is added to creams, serums and masks sold for lines, spots and skin conditions.
Traditional use
Cosmetic use is described in the review as extensive.
Proposed mechanism Preclinical
Not established. Reviews suggest anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial actions from lab work.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Bee venom can cause anaphylaxis and deaths have been reported, including after live bee acupuncture. See the Safety tab before anything else.
Cancer, diabetes and brain disease (laboratory and animal work)
Very low certaintyReviews describe lab and animal findings only. No trial shows bee venom treats cancer, diabetes or brain disease.
2 studiesNano-delivery systems are being studied in the lab to reduce toxicity…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2026 narrative review of experimental and some clinical studies.
Results
The review reports possible effects on blood sugar, tumours and nerve protection in experiments, and says clinical use remains limited by allergic reactions, systemic toxicity and anaphylaxis. It calls for well-designed clinical trials.
Why this rating
Lab and animal findings do not show effects in people, and the same venom is strongly toxic to cells.
Form and dose studied
Nano-delivery systems are being studied in the lab to reduce toxicity; none are approved treatments in the sources read.
Who was studied
Cells and animals.
Limits
Review without numbers in the abstract.
Why researchers looked
Venom peptides such as melittin and apamin kill cells in dishes and change inflammation pathways, which has drawn research interest.
Proposed mechanism Preclinical
Melittin, apamin, adolapin and phospholipase A2 are reported to affect oxidative stress, inflammation, cell death and immune pathways in experimental work.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Bee venom can cause anaphylaxis and deaths have been reported, including after live bee acupuncture. See the Safety tab before anything else.
Venom immunotherapy for sting allergy (a different, medical treatment)
High certaintyFor people who are allergic to bee or wasp stings, specialists give purified venom in a controlled schedule. A European guideline calls it the only treatment that prevents further serious sting reactions. This is not the same as sting therapy for pain or illness.
1 studiesGiven only in clinics by trained teams.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2018 European guideline (EAACI) built on a systematic review.
Results
The guideline says venom immunotherapy is indicated in venom-allergic children and adults to prevent further moderate-to-severe systemic sting reactions.
Effect sizes as reported
Guideline-supported for sting allergy only
Why this rating
A formal guideline with a systematic review; applies only to people with proven venom allergy and only under specialist care.
Form and dose studied
Given only in clinics by trained teams.
Who was studied
Adults and children with venom allergy.
Limits
This does not support venom as a remedy for other conditions. Do not copy it at home.
Why researchers looked
Systemic reactions to stings are reported in up to 7.5% of adults and up to 3.4% of children.
Traditional use
Modern allergy medicine.
Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory
Repeated small exposures under supervision retrain the immune response to the venom.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Bee venom can cause anaphylaxis and deaths have been reported, including after live bee acupuncture. See the Safety tab before anything else.
Connections to the rest of health
How Bee Venom (Apitherapy) connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.
Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes
A. Wellness goals
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain Relief | Preliminary mechanism | Low certainty | Muscle, joint and back pain: Pooled small trials from Korea found less pain with venom acupuncture than with saline injections, but the trials were few and small and varied a lot. Treatment also carries a higher chance of side effects. | 17 14 |
| Joint Health | Preliminary mechanism | Very low certainty | Knee osteoarthritis pain: One large trial of 538 people reported less knee pain with purified venom injections than with a histamine control injection. It is a single trial and the abstract does not say who paid for it. | 3 |
| Skin Health | Preliminary mechanism | Very low certainty | Skin and anti-ageing products: The one human study found was a company-funded, uncontrolled 8-week test of a mixed serum (manuka honey, royal jelly and bee venom) in 40 women. Women reported better skin; dermatologist grading was mixed. Reviews warn about allergic reactions. | 12 4 |
| Allergy Support | Preliminary mechanism | High certainty | Venom immunotherapy for sting allergy (a different, medical treatment): For people who are allergic to bee or wasp stings, specialists give purified venom in a controlled schedule. A European guideline calls it the only treatment that prevents further serious sting reactions. This is not the same as sting therapy for pain or illness. | 16 |
B. Body systems
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immune system | Adverse effect or risk | High certainty | Anaphylaxis, including deaths, after venom acupuncture and live bee acupuncture. Preparation or compound: Venom; stings |
8 9 18 |
| Nervous System | Biological association | Evidence against | Studied for: Multiple sclerosis Studied for: Muscle, joint and back pain | 20 21 17 14 6 11 15 |
| Musculoskeletal System | Biological association | Low certainty | Studied for: Muscle, joint and back pain Studied for: Knee osteoarthritis pain | 17 14 3 |
| Skin | Biological association | Very low certainty | Studied for: Skin and anti-ageing products | 12 4 |
| Immune System | Biological association | Very low certainty | Studied for: Cancer, diabetes and brain disease (laboratory and animal work) Studied for: Venom immunotherapy for sting allergy (a different, medical treatment) | 11 15 16 |
C. Body parts and organs
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skin | Adverse effect or risk | Moderate certainty | Local pain, swelling, itching, redness. Preparation or compound: Venom injection; topical venom |
1 22 |
| Kidneys | Adverse effect or risk | Very low certainty | Kidney injury in case reports. Preparation or compound: Massive accidental stings |
19 5 |
| Muscles | Adverse effect or risk | Very low certainty | Muscle inflammation and breakdown in case reports. Preparation or compound: High-dose venom injection; massive stings |
2 5 |
I. Biomarkers
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New active MRI lesions (MS) | Biological association | Evidence against | Measured in trials: unchanged. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 20 |
| Pain score (10-cm visual analogue scale) | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 17 |
| UPDRS III motor score (Parkinson disease) | Biological association | Evidence against | Measured in trials: unchanged. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 6 |
| WOMAC pain score (knee osteoarthritis) | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 3 |
| Venom-specific IgE | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: changed. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 6 |
K. Biological pathways
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IgE-mediated allergic response | Preliminary mechanism | Human | Basis of anaphylaxis after venom. | 9 |
L. Active compounds
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melittin | Biological association | In vitro | Reported anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity in experiments; also a cell-damaging peptide. Preparation or compound: Venom |
11 26 |
| Apamin | Biological association | In vitro | Reported analgesic and nerve-related activity in experiments. Preparation or compound: Venom |
11 27 |
| Phospholipase A2 and adolapin | Biological association | In vitro | Named in the review as bioactive; individual actions are not described in the abstract. Preparation or compound: Venom |
11 |
Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 25, 2026).
Evidence at a glance: what changed in 2 lab markers
Tap a number to show only those markers. Counts are markers, not people.
The evidence
The research centre for Bee Venom (Apitherapy). Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.
Evidence by outcome
Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).
How we rate evidence
High certainty
Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.
Moderate certainty
Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.
Low certainty
Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.
Very low certainty
Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.
Mixed findings
Trials or reviews disagree with each other.
Not enough evidence
Not enough human research to say either way.
Evidence against
Good research found no benefit, or found harm.
We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We read the abstracts of 21 PubMed papers and the record of one more, the MedlinePlus (two pages) and NHS pages, checked the bee name in GBIF and two venom peptides in PubChem. One paper (a death report) is a letter with no abstract and was read as a record only. Certainty ratings are the compiler's own reading unless a guideline gives its own. One trial's authors include a patent holder, and a skin-serum study was funded by the product maker; both are flagged.
Study library: every study we checked 27
| Study | Design | People | Product, dose, length | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahn 2016 Safety of essential bee venom pharmacopuncture as assessed in a randomized controlled double-blind trial. Journal of Ethnopharmacology · PMID 27840257 · DOI |
Controlled trial mixed |
20 20 healthy adults aged 20 to 40 plus a cell experiment |
Purified (essential) bee venom versus original bee venom, injected in the forearm venom, injection Not given as advice here Single administration with follow-up to 96 hours · vs Original bee venom on the other forearm |
Original bee venom caused more local pain, swelling, itching and redness than purified venom at several time points, and original-venom sites tended toward more severe itching and redness later. The two were similar in anti-inflammatory activity in cells. Original venom caused more local reaction Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Local pain, swelling, itching, redness, wheals Limitations: Tiny trial in healthy people; purified-versus-original comparison only, not against no venom. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Chang 2022 Persistent severe muscle pain following mistakenly injected high-dose bee venom: A care-compliant case report. Medicine (Baltimore) · PMID 36626534 · DOI |
Case report |
1 A 63-year-old woman |
Bee venom injection given by mistake at a high dose venom, injection Far above the usual injected amount (dosing error) |
Extreme burning pain at the injection site lasting a month, with MRI showing inflammation of a deep back muscle. Pain resolved completely 6 months after the injection. The authors conclude bee venom has a strong toxic effect. One case Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Pain, imaging Limitations: Single case. Funding and conflicts: No conflicts declared. Read: abstract |
| Conrad 2019 Efficacy and Safety of Honey Bee Venom (Apis mellifera) Dermal Injections to Treat Osteoarthritis Knee Pain and Physical Disability: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine · PMID 31274334 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
538 538 people with knee osteoarthritis (radiographic grade 1 to 3) |
Purified honey bee venom, dermal injections at acupuncture points venom, purified, injected Not given as advice here 12 weekly visits · vs Histamine control injection (not saline) |
Pain and function scores were better with venom than with the histamine control at 12 weeks (WOMAC pain mean difference 1.1; 95% CI 0.3 to 2.0; WOMAC function 3.1; 95% CI 0.3 to 5.9), sustained 4 weeks after treatment. Use of rescue acetaminophen was similar (77% to 78%). Injection-site reactions were more common with venom (under 5%); the authors call the overall safety profiles comparable. Better than a histamine control on pain and function (WOMAC pain MD 1.1 (0.3 to 2.0)) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: WOMAC pain and physical function, visual analogue scale, patient and physician global assessment Limitations: The control was a histamine injection rather than saline, so what is being compared with venom is unusual. The abstract does not say who funded the trial or give conflicts of interest, and the authors call it a phase 3 trial. Only about 12 weeks of treatment; dropouts not given in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Funding and conflicts not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| El-Wahed 2021 Cosmetic Applications of Bee Venom. Toxins · PMID 34822594 · DOI |
Review |
Skin conditions and cosmetic uses reviewed | Bee venom in topical products and face masks venom, topical Not given as advice here |
Says bee venom is applied for atopic dermatitis, acne, hair loss, vitiligo and psoriasis, and in topical products, wound dressings and face masks. Says safety is a concern because skin reactions can expand into excessive immune responses, including anaphylaxis. Review; no new data Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Skin diseases and cosmetic uses; safety concerns Limitations: Narrative review; the abstract gives no trial numbers or ratings of evidence. Funding and conflicts: No conflicts declared. Read: abstract |
| Fofana 2023 Bee venom: an unusual cause of acute kidney injury. Nephrologie et Therapeutique · PMID 37098712 · DOI |
Case report |
1 A 64-year-old man in Mali |
Massive stings from a bee swarm (not a treatment) venom, accidental stings |
Severe kidney failure with red-blood-cell breakdown and muscle breakdown after a swarm attack. Kidney function returned to normal at day 26 after five dialysis sessions and blood transfusions. One case Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Kidney failure, muscle breakdown Limitations: Accidental mass stinging, not therapy. Funding and conflicts: Not stated. Read: abstract |
| Hartmann 2016 Bee Venom for the Treatment of Parkinson Disease - A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. PLoS One · PMID 27403743 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
40 40 people with Parkinson disease (Hoehn and Yahr stages 1.5 to 3), Paris |
Subcutaneous honey bee venom injections (standard venom-allergy desensitisation protocol) venom, injection Not given as advice here Monthly for 11 months · vs Saline injections |
No significant fall in motor scores after 11 months; scores over the study and brain scans did not differ between groups. Four people were excluded during the trial because of positive skin tests, but no systemic allergic reaction was recorded. Venom-specific IgE rose first and then fell in everyone who finished. No clear benefit Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: UPDRS part III motor score in the off state (primary); UPDRS over the study; dopamine-transporter scans; venom-specific IgE and skin tests (safety) Limitations: Small trial. Four of 40 people left because venom skin tests turned positive. Authors suggest higher doses might work; that is a hypothesis, not a finding. Funding and conflicts: Authors include a patent holder (the hospital group APHP holds a patent for bee venom in Parkinson disease; Dr Hartmann is named on it). Other author disclosures include grants from drug companies. Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01341431 Read: abstract |
| Kim 2016 Safety of Acupuncture and Pharmacopuncture in 80,523 Musculoskeletal Disorder Patients: A Retrospective Review of Internal Safety Inspection and Electronic Medical Records. Medicine (Baltimore) · PMID 27149503 · DOI |
Observational study |
80523 80,523 patients at a Korean medicine hospital (2010 to 2014) |
Acupuncture, pharmacopuncture and bee venom pharmacopuncture venom, injection Not given as advice here 2010 to 2014 |
Hypersensitivity to bee venom was reported in 37 cases and serious anaphylaxis associated with bee venom treatment in 3 cases (0.019%). Most events were mild. The authors say avoidable adverse events can and should be prevented through education and corrective action. 3 anaphylaxis cases Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Adverse events Limitations: Single hospital; mixes several treatments. Funding and conflicts: No conflicts declared. Read: abstract |
| Ko 2022 Incidence Rate of Bee Venom Acupuncture Related Anaphylaxis: A Systematic Review. Toxins · PMID 35448847 · DOI |
Systematic review |
49 studies of bee venom acupuncture | Bee venom acupuncture venom, injection Not given as advice here |
Overall anaphylaxis rate 0.045% (95% CI 0.028 to 0.062). Women 0.083% versus men 0.019% (the intervals overlap). With a skin test 0.041% versus 0.047% with no skin-test information, not significantly different. By period: highest before 1999 (1.099%), 0.049% in 2000 to 2009, 0.037% in 2010 to 2021. About 1 in 2,200 people (0.045% (0.028 to 0.062)) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Incidence of anaphylaxis Limitations: Pooled from studies of varying quality; rates are averages and say nothing about any one person. Skin testing did not make a measurable difference. Funding and conflicts: No conflicts declared. Read: abstract |
| Lee 2020 Incidence Rate of Hypersensitivity Reactions to Bee-Venom Acupuncture. Frontiers in Pharmacology · PMID 33117156 · DOI |
Observational study |
8580 8,580 patients treated with bee venom acupuncture, 60,654 treatments, Daejeon University hospital (2010 to 2019) |
Bee venom acupuncture venom, injection Not given as advice here Records from 2010 to 2019 |
Fifteen patients (0.175%, 95% CI 0.086 to 0.263) had a type 1 allergic reaction, 0.025% of all treatments. Four of these were anaphylactic shock: 0.047% of patients (95% CI 0.001 to 0.092) and 0.007% of treatments. Mild cases recovered within 1 day; others took up to 30 days to recover fully. 4 anaphylactic shocks among 8,580 patients Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Allergic reactions, anaphylaxis Limitations: One hospital's records, looked back on; reactions not seen or not recorded would be missed. Funding and conflicts: No conflicts declared. Read: abstract |
| Lee 2023 Severe Systemic Reactions Following Bee Sting Injuries in Korea. Yonsei Medical Journal · PMID 37226567 · DOI |
Observational study |
9673 9,673 people who came to emergency departments in Korea for bee sting injuries |
Bee stings (natural stings and bee venom acupuncture) venom · vs Patients without severe reactions |
537 people had a severe systemic reaction and 38 died. Bee venom acupuncture was associated with more severe reactions (odds ratio 3.685, 95% CI 1.408 to 9.641); so were male sex, older age, stings to the trunk or head/face, and stings in winter. Bee venom acupuncture linked to more severe reactions (OR 3.685 (1.408 to 9.641)) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Severe systemic reactions (low blood pressure, altered mental state, hospital stay or death) Limitations: Registry of emergency visits; most stings in it were accidental, so the numbers do not show how risky treatment is for a person. Funding and conflicts: No conflicts declared. Read: abstract |
| Lourenco 2026 From Toxin to Therapy: Biomedical Applications of Bee Venom in Cancer, Diabetes, and Neurodegenerative Disorders. International Journal of Molecular Sciences · PMID 42278193 · DOI |
Review mixed |
Experimental and some clinical studies in cancer, diabetes and neurological disorders | Bee venom and its parts (melittin, apamin, adolapin, phospholipase A2) venom and isolated peptides Not given as advice here |
Describes bee venom as a mixture of peptides, enzymes and biogenic amines and reports anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, analgesic and immune effects from experimental and clinical studies. It also says clinical use remains limited by safety concerns: allergic reactions, systemic toxicity and anaphylaxis, and that well-designed clinical trials are needed. Review; mostly experimental evidence Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Glycaemic control, tumour suppression, neuroprotection, pain Limitations: A review that lumps lab, animal and some human work together; the abstract gives no trial numbers. Funding and conflicts: No conflicts declared. Read: abstract |
| O'Gorman 2025 Investigating the Effects of a Manuka Honey, Royal Jelly, and Bee Venom-Derived Face Serum on Skin Health and Signs of Aging. Cureus · PMID 40291268 · DOI |
Uncontrolled trial |
40 40 women aged 40 to 55 with self-reported skin concerns |
Commercial face serum containing manuka honey, royal jelly and bee venom serum (mixture) Not given as advice here 8 weeks |
Women reported improvements in fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots and dryness from week 2. Dermatologist grading was mixed: 60.6% (20 people) improved in brightness but lower percentages improved in overall skin health, lines, roughness, pigmentation and redness. Self-reported improvement; mixed dermatologist grading Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Self-reported questionnaires; dermatologist grading and facial analysis photos Limitations: No control group and the serum is a mixture, so the venom cannot be separated from honey, royal jelly or the cream. Most results are self-reported. Funding and conflicts: Funded by Manuka Health, which makes the product; the study was run by a research company it hired. Read: abstract |
| Park 2015 Risk associated with bee venom therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One · PMID 25996493 · DOI |
Systematic review |
145 studies of bee venom therapy (20 randomised trials, 79 audits and cohorts, 33 single cases, 13 case series) | Bee venom therapy (all forms) venom Not given as advice here Varied · vs Normal saline injection (in the randomised trials) |
Adverse events ranged from trivial skin reactions to life-threatening anaphylaxis. In audit studies the median share of patients with adverse events from venom immunotherapy was 28.87% (interquartile range 14.57 to 39.74). In randomised trials, bee venom acupuncture raised the relative risk of adverse events 3.61 times compared with saline injection (95% CI 2.10 to 6.20), a figure the authors say may be over- or under-estimated because reporting was poor. They conclude adverse events are frequent and practitioners should be cautious and properly qualified. Frequent adverse events (RR 3.61 (2.10 to 6.20)) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Types and frequency of adverse events Limitations: Poor reporting in the included studies; mixes venom immunotherapy (allergy treatment) with venom acupuncture. Funding and conflicts: No competing interests declared. Read: abstract |
| Seo 2017 Efficacy of Bee Venom Acupuncture for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Sham-Controlled Trial. Toxins · PMID 29112155 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
54 54 people with non-specific chronic low back pain (Korea) |
Bee venom acupuncture added to an anti-inflammatory medicine venom, injection Not given as advice here 6 sessions over 3 weeks, follow-up to week 12 · vs Sham bee venom acupuncture plus the same medicine |
After 3 weeks the venom group improved more than the sham group on bothersomeness, pain intensity and function. Minimal adverse events in both groups, with recovery without treatment. Better than sham after 3 weeks Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Back-pain bothersomeness (primary), pain intensity, disability, quality of life, mood Limitations: Small trial; short treatment; the abstract does not give numbers or say how long benefits lasted. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no competing interests. Read: abstract |
| So 2024 In Vitro Assays for the Assessment of Safety and Toxicity in Pharmacopuncture Derived from Animal. Journal of Pharmacopuncture · PMID 39741569 · DOI |
Laboratory study in-vitro |
9 Nine animal-venom pharmacopuncture samples from four dispensaries in South Korea |
Animal venom pharmacopuncture products venom products |
No microbial growth in any sample. Bee venom showed strong cytotoxicity (killing of cultured cells), as did some other animal products. Lab test on cells only. Strong cell toxicity of bee venom in dishes Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Sterility and cell toxicity Limitations: Lab test on cultured cells; only four dispensaries sampled. Funding and conflicts: No conflicts declared. Read: abstract |
| Sturm 2018 EAACI guidelines on allergen immunotherapy: Hymenoptera venom allergy. Allergy · PMID 28748641 · DOI |
Guideline |
Children and adults with honeybee, wasp or ant sting allergy | Venom immunotherapy (medically supervised allergy treatment) purified venom, clinic-given Not given as advice here · vs Carrying an emergency kit |
Says systemic allergic sting reactions have been reported in up to 7.5% of adults and up to 3.4% of children and can be life-threatening. The only treatment to prevent further systemic sting reactions is venom immunotherapy, indicated in venom-allergic children and adults. It is a different thing from using venom as a treatment for other conditions. Guideline; supports venom immunotherapy for sting allergy only Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Systemic sting reactions and prevention Limitations: Concerns allergy treatment under specialist care, not venom as a remedy for pain or disease. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no competing interests. Read: abstract |
| Sung 2025 Bee venom acupuncture for musculoskeletal pain conditions: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies · PMID 40295986 · DOI |
Meta-analysis |
20 randomised trials of musculoskeletal pain (mostly Korean); pooled analyses of 2 trials (n = 85) and 5 trials (n = 152) | Bee venom acupuncture (venom injected at acupuncture points) venom, injection Not given as advice here Varied · vs Sham injection of normal saline; or acupuncture plus saline |
Two trials (n = 85): pain lower than with saline injection (mean difference -16.93 on a 100-point scale as printed in the abstract, 95% CI -26.35 to -7.51). Five trials of bee venom acupuncture plus acupuncture versus saline plus acupuncture (n = 152): mean difference -1.24 on the 10-cm scale (95% CI -1.63 to -0.85). No severe side effects such as anaphylaxis were seen in any of the eight trials that reported them. Pain lower than with saline injection in small pooled analyses (MD -16.93 (-26.35 to -7.51); MD -1.24 (-1.63 to -0.85)) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Pain on a 10-cm visual analogue scale Limitations: Only a few small trials were pooled; the authors say pain types, doses and venom concentrations varied a lot, so firm conclusions are not possible. Venom injections cause a stinging reaction, so blinding may be weak (our note). Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no competing interests. Read: abstract |
| Vazquez-Revuelta 2018 Death due to Live Bee Acupuncture Apitherapy. Journal of Investigational Allergology and Clinical Immunology · PMID 29461208 · DOI |
Case report |
1 One reported death (Allergy Division, Ramon y Cajal University Hospital, Madrid) |
Live bee acupuncture apitherapy venom, live stings |
The PubMed record gives only the title, authors and journal (a short letter with no abstract). It reports a death after live bee acupuncture apitherapy. No other details were read. One death reported Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Death Limitations: Only the title and record were read; no details of the case are given here. Funding and conflicts: Not stated. Read: record-only |
| Waziri 2022 A rare concurrence: bee venom associated acute tubular necrosis and acute interstitial nephritis. Oxford Medical Case Reports · PMID 35619680 · DOI |
Case report |
1 A 50-year-old man with type 2 diabetes |
Stings from more than 1000 bees (not a treatment) venom, accidental stings |
Acute kidney injury after multiple stings from over 1000 bees; dialysis was needed and kidney function fully recovered. The authors note kidney injury from multiple stings is rare. One case Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Kidney injury Limitations: Accidental mass stinging, not therapy; shows what a large venom load can do. Funding and conflicts: Not stated. Read: abstract |
| Wesselius 2005 A randomized crossover study of bee sting therapy for multiple sclerosis. Neurology · PMID 16221950 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
26 26 people with relapsing-remitting or relapsing secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (Groningen, Netherlands) |
Live honey bee stings (medically supervised) venom, live stings Not given as advice here 24 weeks of treatment and 24 weeks of no treatment (crossover) · vs No treatment |
No significant reduction in new enhancing lesions. T2*-weighted lesion load further progressed during bee sting therapy. No significant reduction in relapse rate and no improvement in disability, fatigue or quality of life. The authors call it well tolerated with no serious adverse events. No benefit on any outcome Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: New gadolinium-enhancing MRI lesions (primary); T2* lesion load, relapse rate, disability scales, fatigue scales, quality of life Limitations: Small trial; the comparison was no treatment, not a placebo, so participants knew which period they were in. 26 people only. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Yadav 2014 Summary of evidence-based guideline: complementary and alternative medicine in multiple sclerosis: report of the guideline development subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology · PMID 24663230 · DOI |
Guideline |
People with multiple sclerosis | Complementary and alternative treatments including bee sting therapy |
Rates bee sting therapy as possibly ineffective for relapses, disability, fatigue, lesion burden or volume and health-related quality of life (Level C). Possibly ineffective (Level C) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Guideline levels of evidence for each treatment Limitations: A guideline from 2014 that searched the literature to 2013; newer trials may exist. Funding and conflicts: No conflict statement in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Yoo 2022 Adverse Events Associated with the Clinical Use of Bee Venom: A Review. Toxins · PMID 36006224 · DOI |
Systematic review |
105 studies (67 extract injection, 26 venom immunotherapy, 8 live stings, 4 external) | Bee venom in several forms venom Not given as advice here |
Says bee venom can cause a tickling sensation and anaphylaxis and that adverse events depend on dose, method and route. Of 105 studies, 63 described adverse events accurately and 42 did not report them. Most of the 35 randomised trials had low significance in the risk-of-bias check. Calls for a large objective randomised trial and strict adverse-event reporting. Adverse events poorly reported Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Adverse events Limitations: Review of reports of mixed quality. Funding and conflicts: No conflicts declared. Read: abstract |
| n/a 2023 NHS: Insect bites and stings (page last reviewed 1 June 2023) n/a · Source |
Health agency page n/a |
n/a | n/a |
Says to call 999 if lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly swell, breathing is very fast or hard, the throat feels tight, or the skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale. These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction needing immediate hospital treatment. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Says to call 999 if lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly swell, breathing is very fast or hard, the throat feels tight, or the skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale. These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction needing immediate hospital treatment. Limitations: The review date on the page (next review due June 2026) has passed. Read: full-text |
| n/a 2025 MedlinePlus (NIH): Insect bites and stings (review date 14 Oct 2025) n/a · Source |
Health agency page n/a |
n/a | n/a |
Says some people have severe, life-threatening allergic reactions to bee stings, called anaphylactic shock, which can occur quickly and lead to rapid death if not treated. Symptoms include abdominal pain or vomiting, chest pain, difficulty swallowing or breathing, face or mouth swelling, fainting or lightheadedness, and rash or flushing. For severe reactions, call emergency services. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Says some people have severe, life-threatening allergic reactions to bee stings, called anaphylactic shock, which can occur quickly and lead to rapid death if not treated. Symptoms include abdominal pain or vomiting, chest pain, difficulty swallowing or breathing, face or mouth swelling, fainting or lightheadedness, and rash or flushing. For severe reactions, call emergency services. Limitations: An encyclopedia page for the general public; not about therapy. Read: full-text |
| n/a 2026 MedlinePlus (NIH): Anaphylaxis (review date 20 Jan 2026) n/a · Source |
Health agency page n/a |
n/a | n/a |
Anaphylaxis is an emergency that needs medical attention right away; call the local emergency number immediately. Symptoms develop quickly, often within seconds or minutes, and include trouble breathing, wheezing, swelling of the face, eyes or tongue, hives, dizziness, nausea, palpitations, slurred speech or unconsciousness. A very hoarse or whispered voice is a warning sign of dangerous throat swelling. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Anaphylaxis is an emergency that needs medical attention right away; call the local emergency number immediately. Symptoms develop quickly, often within seconds or minutes, and include trouble breathing, wheezing, swelling of the face, eyes or tongue, hives, dizziness, nausea, palpitations, slurred speech or unconsciousness. A very hoarse or whispered voice is a warning sign of dangerous throat swelling. Limitations: General emergency guidance; not about therapy. Read: full-text |
| n/a 2026 PubChem: melittin (CID 16133648) n/a · Source |
Health agency page n/a |
n/a | n/a |
Melittin, a peptide; molecular formula C131H229N39O31 (checked via PubChem API 2026-10-25). Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Melittin, a peptide; molecular formula C131H229N39O31 (checked via PubChem API 2026-10-25). Limitations: Identity only. Read: full-text |
| n/a 2026 PubChem: apamin (CID 16133797) n/a · Source |
Health agency page n/a |
n/a | n/a |
Apamin, a peptide; molecular formula C79H131N31O24S4 (checked via PubChem API 2026-10-25). Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Apamin, a peptide; molecular formula C79H131N31O24S4 (checked via PubChem API 2026-10-25). Limitations: Identity only. Read: full-text |
What we do not know yet
- No large, independent, placebo-controlled trial of bee venom for any illness was found.
- No safety data for pregnancy, breastfeeding, children, older adults or people on regular medicines; no interaction studies.
- The death rate from therapeutic venom is unknown; rates come from reviews of mixed-quality studies and hospital records.
- No trial stopped early for harm was found in the abstracts read; registries were not searched.
- FDA, EMA and NCCIH statements on bee venom therapy were not read.
How new research is added
New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and are placed in a review queue. A person reads each one before it changes any evidence rating or safety wording.
Lab markers
What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".
Other 5
New active MRI lesions (MS)
Unchanged in trials
Areas on a brain scan, seen with a contrast dye, that mark new inflammation in multiple sclerosis.
Evidence againstResults and what it means
Why it was measured
To see if bee stings change MS disease activity.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Not significantly different; a scan marker, not how people felt.
Safety implication
Does not change the risk picture; see Safety.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | No significant reduction in cumulative new enhancing lesions during bee sting therapy; T2* lesion load further progressed. | 26 people with relapsing MS | Supervised live bee stings for 24 weeks versus 24 weeks no treatment |
Pain score (10-cm visual analogue scale)
Lowered in trials
A line scored by the person to show how bad pain is.
Low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
The basic way pain trials measure benefit.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Statistically significant but small; the trials are few and very mixed.
Safety implication
Venom injections raised the relative risk of adverse events versus saline (RR 3.61).
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Mean difference -1.24 cm (95% CI -1.63 to -0.85) with venom acupuncture plus acupuncture versus saline plus acupuncture. | 152 people in 5 trials | Venom acupuncture versus saline injection |
UPDRS III motor score (Parkinson disease)
Unchanged in trials
A doctor's rating of tremor, stiffness and slowness in Parkinson disease.
Evidence againstResults and what it means
Why it was measured
To see whether venom injections improve movement.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Not significant.
Safety implication
Four people were excluded for positive allergy skin tests.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | No significant decrease in UPDRS III in the off state after 11 months. | 40 people with Parkinson disease | Venom injections versus saline |
WOMAC pain score (knee osteoarthritis)
Lowered in trials
A questionnaire score of knee pain with daily activities.
Very low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
To measure knee pain in osteoarthritis.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
A modest difference in one trial with an unusual control.
Safety implication
Injection-site reactions were more common with venom.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Mean difference 1.1 (95% CI 0.3 to 2.0) in favour of venom versus histamine control at 12 weeks. | 538 people with knee osteoarthritis | Purified venom injections versus histamine control |
Venom-specific IgE
Changed in trials
An antibody blood test showing the immune system is primed to react to bee venom.
Low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
To monitor allergy risk during venom injections.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
A safety marker; it shows the immune system reacts to venom.
Safety implication
Positive tests mean allergy risk; four people were taken out of the trial.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Venom-specific IgE rose at first and then fell in all patients who finished the trial; four people were excluded for positive skin tests. | 40 people with Parkinson disease | Monthly venom injections |
Safety
What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.
Main points to know 7
- Anaphylaxis can happen, and deaths have been reported. Bee venom can cause anaphylaxis, a sudden whole-body allergic reaction that can kill. A death after live bee acupuncture is reported in a case-report letter from a Madrid hospital. Reviews of venom acupuncture estimate anaphylaxis in about 0.045% of patients (roughly 1 in 2,200), and in one hospital series 4 of 8,580 patients had anaphylactic shock. A skin test before treatment did not make a measurable difference to the rate. Case report and systematic review 18 8 9
- Serious reactions are more likely after venom acupuncture in an emergency registry. In a Korean emergency-department registry of 9,673 people stung by bees, 537 had a severe whole-body reaction and 38 died. Bee venom acupuncture was linked to more severe reactions (odds ratio 3.685, 95% CI 1.408 to 9.641). Most people in the registry were stung accidentally, so this does not give a treatment death rate. Registry or database 10
- Side effects are common and under-reported. A review of 145 studies found adverse events frequent; in trials, venom acupuncture had 3.61 times the relative risk of adverse events versus saline injection. A later review of 105 studies found 42 did not report adverse events at all. Systematic review 13 22
- Harm in trials: skin-test allergy, worse scan marker, and local reactions. In the 40-person Parkinson trial, four people were excluded because of positive venom skin tests. In the 26-person MS trial the T2* lesion load further progressed during bee sting therapy, and the trial found no benefit. Venom caused more local pain, swelling, itching and redness than purified venom in a 20-person trial. We found no trial in our reading that was stopped early for harm, but the abstracts are short and this is not proof none exists. Controlled trial 6 20 1
- Too much venom can injure muscle, kidneys and more. A case report describes a month of severe burning pain, muscle inflammation on MRI and recovery after 6 months following a mistaken high-dose injection. Case reports of massive accidental stings (not therapy) describe kidney failure needing dialysis, muscle breakdown and red-blood-cell breakdown. Case report 2 19 5
- We read no regulator statement approving it. We did not read any FDA, EMA or NCCIH statement on bee venom therapy, so we cannot say what they advise, and none of the sources we read approves it for any illness. Venom immunotherapy for sting allergy is a different, specialist treatment. Product quality and venom content of creams and injectables are not checked in any source we read. Authoritative guidance 16 15
- Do not self-treat. This page gives no method, number of stings or amount, on purpose. If you are thinking about apitherapy, see a doctor first, ideally an allergy specialist, and never try it alone with no emergency help close by. Editorial 13
Side effects 6
| Effect | How often | Severity and recovery | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anaphylaxis (life-threatening allergic reaction) Skin tests did not predict it. | About 0.045% of venom acupuncture patients in a 49-study review | life-threatening Needs emergency treatment; deaths reported | Systematic review 8 9 7 |
| Other allergic (type 1) reactions: hives, swelling, wheeze Another hospital series logged hypersensitivity to bee venom in 37 cases among 80,523 patients. | 0.175% of patients (15 of 8,580) in one hospital series | moderate to severe Mild cases recovered within a day; others took up to 30 days | Cohort retrospective 9 7 |
| Local pain, swelling, itching, redness Injection-site reactions were more common with venom in the knee trial (under 5%). | Common | mild to moderate Usually settles; some stayed itchy and red later | Controlled trial 1 13 3 |
| Severe local injury after a dosing error One woman after a mistaken injection. | Case report | severe Pain resolved at 6 months | Case report 2 |
| Kidney injury, muscle breakdown (from massive accidental stings) Not from therapy; shows large venom loads are dangerous. | Case reports | severe Recovered with dialysis in the reports read | Case report 19 5 |
| Immune sensitisation (rising venom IgE, positive skin tests) IgE rose at first then fell in those who finished. | 4 of 40 in one trial excluded | moderate Not stated | Controlled trial 6 |
Liver
No liver injury from bee venom therapy was found in the sources read.
How often. No rate found.
Monitoring. No agency monitoring advice was read.
This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Bee Venom (Apitherapy) supports liver health.
Medicines and supplements 1
| With | Why it matters | Importance | Evidence | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All medicines prescription | No interaction study of bee venom therapy with any medicine was found in the sources read. | Unknown | None found Not enough evidence | If you take any medicine, ask a doctor or pharmacist before any bee product treatment, especially if you have allergies or take heart or blood-pressure medicines. |
Who should check first 5
| Situation | Advice | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anyone allergic to bee or wasp stings, or with a history of a serious reaction to a sting | Venom therapy is dangerous. Allergy specialists treat sting allergy with supervised venom immunotherapy, which is a different thing. Get specialist care, not self-treatment. | Guideline 16 |
| People who cannot get emergency help quickly | Anaphylaxis can strike without warning and needs urgent treatment. | Systematic review 8 25 |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | No source we read describes the safety of therapeutic bee venom in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Avoid it and ask a doctor. | Not found |
| Children | No source we read tests therapeutic bee venom in children. Sting allergy reactions are reported in up to 3.4% of children; ask a doctor. | Guideline 16 |
| Asthma, heart disease, kidney disease or other long-term illness | Not described for therapeutic venom in the sources read. A doctor should advise. | Not found |
Overdose, product quality and regulators
Summary. Bee venom is toxic. In a lab test, bee venom products showed strong cytotoxicity to cultured cells. Massive accidental stings can cause kidney and muscle damage.
Animal. Not reviewed in depth.
Human doses studied. Not given as advice here.
High dose or long term signals. A mistaken high-dose injection caused months of pain in one reported case. Long-term safety is not known.
Overdose response. Treated by emergency teams.
Genotoxicity. Not read.
Quality control of venom products is little studied.
Sterility and cell toxicity of venom pharmacopuncture products. Nine animal-venom products from four South Korean dispensaries had no microbial growth; bee venom showed strong cytotoxicity in a cell test. 15
Venom content in creams. No source we read tested how much venom creams or serums actually contain.
Purified versus original venom. Purified venom caused less local pain, swelling, itching and redness than original venom in a 20-person trial. 1
| Body | Action | Date |
|---|---|---|
| MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine) (United States) | Says bee stings can cause life-threatening anaphylactic shock that can lead to rapid death if not treated quickly; call emergency services for severe reactions. source | 2025-10-14 |
| MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine) (United States) | Anaphylaxis is an emergency; call the local emergency number immediately. source | 2026-01-20 |
| NHS (United Kingdom) | Call 999 for sudden swelling of lips, mouth, throat or tongue, severe breathing difficulty, tight throat, or blue, grey or pale skin after a sting. source | 2023-06-01 |
When to get medical help
- Trouble breathing, wheezing, a tight or hoarse throat, or swelling of the lips, tongue, mouth or face after a sting or venom injection: call emergency services now.
- Fainting, dizziness, a fast heartbeat, blue, grey or pale skin, or confusion after venom: call emergency services now.
- Hives, vomiting, stomach pain or chest pain that spreads after a sting or injection: get urgent help.
- Very dark urine, little or no urine, or severe muscle pain after many stings: go to hospital.
Stop using the product and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.
General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is bee venom therapy safe?
No. Bee venom can cause anaphylaxis, a sudden, life-threatening allergic reaction, and a death after live bee acupuncture has been reported. Reviews of venom acupuncture estimate anaphylaxis in about 0.045% of patients, and a large review found side effects frequent, with 3.61 times the relative risk of adverse events versus saline injection in trials. Skin tests did not make a measurable difference.
Can bee venom kill you?
What happens if you are allergic to bee venom?
Reactions can be fast and affect the whole body: trouble breathing, wheezing, swelling of the face or mouth, fainting, vomiting or hives. This is an emergency. Call the local emergency number straight away. People with proven sting allergy are treated by allergy specialists, not by more venom at home.
Does bee venom treat multiple sclerosis?
Does bee venom help with pain or arthritis?
Small trials, mostly from Korea, found less pain than with saline injections, but the trials were few, small and varied, and side effects were more frequent. One 538-person knee trial reported a modest benefit over a histamine control, with funding not stated. The evidence is low to very low certainty.
Does bee venom help Parkinson disease?
A placebo-controlled trial of 40 people found no clear benefit after 11 months. Four people were excluded for positive venom skin tests. The authors include a patent holder for bee venom in Parkinson disease.
Were any trials harmful?
Some people were harmed or removed. Four of 40 people in the Parkinson trial were excluded after positive venom skin tests, and the MS trial found no benefit while a lesion marker progressed. Venom acupuncture raised the relative risk of side effects 3.61 times versus saline in a review. We read no trial stopped early for harm, but we cannot say none exists.
What is the difference between venom therapy and venom immunotherapy?
Venom immunotherapy is a regulated allergy treatment in which specialists give purified venom to people who are allergic to stings, to prevent further serious reactions. It is not the same as using stings or injections as a remedy for pain or disease.
Do bee venom face creams work?
The one human study we found was a company-funded, uncontrolled 8-week test of a mixed serum (manuka honey, royal jelly and venom) in 40 women. Results were self-reported and dermatologist grading was mixed. A review warns that skin reactions can progress to excessive immune responses, including anaphylaxis.
Does bee venom treat cancer or diabetes?
Is bee venom safe in pregnancy or for children?
No source we read tested therapeutic bee venom in pregnancy, breastfeeding or children, so safety is unknown. Sting allergy reactions are reported in up to 3.4% of children. Avoid it and ask a doctor.
Is bee venom approved as a medicine?
We did not read any regulator statement approving bee venom therapy for any illness. Venom immunotherapy for sting allergy is a separate, specialist treatment. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before trying any bee product.
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Editorial transparency
- Written by
- AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against PubMed records.
- Medical review
- None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
- First published
- 2026-10-25
- Last substantive update
- 2026-10-25
- How we research
- We read the abstracts of 21 PubMed papers and the record of one more, the MedlinePlus (two pages) and NHS pages, checked the bee name in GBIF and two venom peptides in PubChem. One paper (a death report) is a letter with no abstract and was read as a record only. Certainty ratings are the compiler's own reading unless a guideline gives its own. One trial's authors include a patent holder, and a skin-serum study was funded by the product maker; both are flagged.
- How we rate evidence
- See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
- Independence
- No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown, and none will be added for bee venom. This page is information, not a recommendation to use it.
Sources 27
Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.
- Ahn YJ, Shin JS, Lee J, et al. Safety of essential bee venom pharmacopuncture as assessed in a randomized controlled double-blind trial.. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2016. PMID 27840257. DOI 10.1016/j.jep.2016.11.012. (abstract)
- Chang MC. Persistent severe muscle pain following mistakenly injected high-dose bee venom: A care-compliant case report.. Medicine (Baltimore). 2022. PMID 36626534. DOI 10.1097/MD.0000000000032180. (abstract)
- Conrad VJ, Hazan LL, Latorre AJ, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Honey Bee Venom (Apis mellifera) Dermal Injections to Treat Osteoarthritis Knee Pain and Physical Disability: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2019. PMID 31274334. DOI 10.1089/acm.2019.0121. (abstract)
- El-Wahed AAA, Khalifa SAM, Elashal MH, et al. Cosmetic Applications of Bee Venom.. Toxins. 2021. PMID 34822594. DOI 10.3390/toxins13110810. (abstract)
- Fofana AS, Samaké M, Sy S, et al. Bee venom: an unusual cause of acute kidney injury.. Nephrologie et Therapeutique. 2023. PMID 37098712. DOI 10.1684/ndt.2023.19. (abstract)
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- Ko SH, Oh HM, Kwon DY, et al. Incidence Rate of Bee Venom Acupuncture Related Anaphylaxis: A Systematic Review.. Toxins. 2022. PMID 35448847. DOI 10.3390/toxins14040238. (abstract)
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- Lourenco KA, Dos Santos MV, Araujo AC, et al. From Toxin to Therapy: Biomedical Applications of Bee Venom in Cancer, Diabetes, and Neurodegenerative Disorders.. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2026. PMID 42278193. DOI 10.3390/ijms27114661. (abstract)
- O'Gorman E, Varanasi S, Bukoski S, et al. Investigating the Effects of a Manuka Honey, Royal Jelly, and Bee Venom-Derived Face Serum on Skin Health and Signs of Aging.. Cureus. 2025. PMID 40291268. DOI 10.7759/cureus.81244. (abstract)
- Park JH, Yim BK, Lee JH, et al. Risk associated with bee venom therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. PLoS One. 2015. PMID 25996493. DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0126971. (abstract)
- Seo BK, Han K, Kwon O, et al. Efficacy of Bee Venom Acupuncture for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Sham-Controlled Trial.. Toxins. 2017. PMID 29112155. DOI 10.3390/toxins9110361. (abstract)
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- Vazquez-Revuelta P, Madrigal-Burgaleta R. Death due to Live Bee Acupuncture Apitherapy.. Journal of Investigational Allergology and Clinical Immunology. 2018. PMID 29461208. DOI 10.18176/jiaci.0202. (record-only)
- Waziri B, Alhaji UI, Oduwale MA, et al. A rare concurrence: bee venom associated acute tubular necrosis and acute interstitial nephritis.. Oxford Medical Case Reports. 2022. PMID 35619680. DOI 10.1093/omcr/omac026. (abstract)
- Wesselius T, Heersema DJ, Mostert JP, et al. A randomized crossover study of bee sting therapy for multiple sclerosis.. Neurology. 2005. PMID 16221950. DOI 10.1212/01.wnl.0000184442.02551.4b. (abstract)
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- n/a. NHS: Insect bites and stings (page last reviewed 1 June 2023). n/a. 2023. (full-text)
- n/a. MedlinePlus (NIH): Insect bites and stings (review date 14 Oct 2025). n/a. 2025. (full-text)
- n/a. MedlinePlus (NIH): Anaphylaxis (review date 20 Jan 2026). n/a. 2026. (full-text)
- n/a. PubChem: melittin (CID 16133648). n/a. 2026. (full-text)
- n/a. PubChem: apamin (CID 16133797). n/a. 2026. (full-text)
