All About Apis Mellifica—The Stinging Homeopathic Medicine

In this guest blog, American homeopath, educator of families on how to use homeopathy, and mom Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na) shares her tips on how to use one of the most popular homeopathic single medicines, Apis mellifica. For more tips, tricks and secrets on getting and staying healthy, as well as articles, upcoming seminars and events on homeopathy, visit www.JoetteCalabrese.com.

Imagine having a non-drowsy medicine that will relieve the pain, swelling and even danger caused by a bee sting. What if a medicine could do all that and cost less than $20? Does it seem too good to be true? Welcome to the world of homeopathy—a world of infinite capabilities to heal, soothe and comfort the ailments of bee stings and the like.

Apis mellifica, otherwise known as Apis, is made from a honeybee. In an FDA-regulated homeopathic pharmacy, a honeybee is crushed, added to alcohol, and then diluted so many times the offending aspect of the bee venom is removed, leaving only the curative agent. After this procedure, it becomes a powerful medicine for an actual honeybee sting and for ailments that have similar symptoms.

Swelling, watery-filled localized areas of redness and inflammation are the hallmark of Apis. The affected area has a puffy appearance and sometimes looks like bags of water under the skin. This is not unlike the edema produced by allergic reactions. More often than not, it occurs under the eyes and is sometimes accompanied by hives. When an eye is nearly shut with swelling, Apis is probably the correct medicine. Hence, the most common conditions Apiswill relieve are eye infections such as conjunctivitis and styes, sore throats, hives, stings from insects, and urinary tract infections.

Let me offer an example. My aunt, who had been prone to styes in her twenties, was suddenly revisited in her 70s by this painful and cumbersome malady. Her doctor gave her an antibiotic that brought down the swelling and pain in short order. This was the method used for the first, second and third ones, but by the fourth outbreak, only months later, she called me. As usual, her eye was quite swollen and red, but she reported that each outbreak was becoming increasingly more painful. She described the pain as stinging and that was all that was needed for me to choose Apis30C. She took this honey of a remedy and reported a few days later the intensity of the pain diminished enough to allow her to read by the following morning. Two days later, there was still some puffiness and sensitivity, but the worst was past. This occurred over a decade ago, and there has been no return of her problem.

When pain is eased by cold applications to the troubled area and when warmth causes increased distress, it’s also most likely a call for Apis. When a sore throat is the problem, other good clues are a desire for a cold drink and aversion to or pain from a warm drink. The Apis sufferer cannot tolerate warmth from the sun or a warm room. When you observe a swollen uvula or tonsils, Apis should be considered. Despite the water-filled appearance of Apis, the sufferer is not thirsty. This contradiction is useful when a differential between two homeopathic remedies is perplexing. Sensitive skin where hives have erupted also indicates the need for Apis. The physical symptoms are sometimes accompanied byweepy sadness and irritability. A fright, “stinging” jealousy, anger or disappointment often cause a need for Apis on both a physical and emotional level.

So the next time you experience a stinging swelling with heat on the skin, in the throat, in the urinary tract or in the eye, think homeopathy and think Apis, the honeybee. You may find yourself buzzing with enthusiasm.