Helen Christov
An investigation into the herbal treatment of bee stings with particular refernce to anaphylaxis
Abstract
The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the possibility of successfully treating an acute allergic reaction to bee stings with herbal medicine. The research was motivated by the increasing prevalence of allergic reactions in general and the deteriorating relationship between humans and bees.
Background information briefly outlines epidemiology to insect stings and their cross-reactivity and differentiates anaphylaxis from toxic reactions.
A literature search and review of journals, internet, orthodox medical textbooks, old and modern herbals was carried out to ascertain the range of treatments for bee stings and allergic reactions to them.
Three semi-structured interviews were conducted with herbalists chosen for their expertise in acute medicine. They were questioned on whether they had treated patients with bee stings, allergic reactions to bee stings or anaphylactic shock from this or any other cause; if so, what those treatments and outcomes were and also what herbs they would prescribe if they were presented with this scenario.
An analysis into the efficacy of treatments was undertaken. The results were demonstrated using thematic analysis, which is a qualitative method.
There followed a discussion analytically evaluating the pharmacological and clinical justification of key individual herbs used.
The conclusion drawn from this investigation was that herbal preparations including large and frequent doses of Ephedra sinica (with notable contraindications) and Urtica dioica tinctures appear to be effective in reversing symptoms of minor, general and even severe allergic reactions to bee stings and other allergens - if taken quickly enough. However, the serious limitation to treatment is that if intervention is too slow or ineffective, the oral administration route could become obstructed by laryngeal oedema, or the patient may go into full anaphylactic shock. In these cases swift intramuscular injection of adrenalin or emergency tracheotomy is the patient’s only chance of survival.
