Apis Mellifica – Honey-Bee

The mother tincture is prepared from the whole honey-bee, Apis mellifica L. N.O. Apidae.

This unique homoeopathic remedy, prepared from the honey-bee, is distinguished by typical symptoms. Apis Mellifica is indicated for the characteristically burning, stinging pains, violent and fiery like the sting of a bee. There is also a certain over- sensitivity to touch and frequently also to any jarring, so that the patient will yell out at the slightest bump against the bed. This symptom may occur in frozen shoulder, or in meningeal irritation. In the latter, such a typical penetrating scream (known as the “cri encephalique”) may begin with no apparent cause. Thus Apis is a polychrest which is frequently indicated in inflammatory and irritative conditions, whether these be of the serous membranes, the meninges, the synovial membranes or the mu- cous membranes.

Apis has a special relationship with the right-hand side of the body, much as Lach- esis tends to the left side. Thus Apis is also an important remedy in right-sided para- metritis, in salpingitis and oöphoritis, and also especially in ovarian cysts. Here one mostly finds the typical burning, stinging pains, which may extend to the sacrum.

Apis is also indicated in right-sided tonsillitis, when the uvula hangs down in the pharynx like an oedematous sac.

Apis, indeed, is a remedy for oedemas of every kind, whether they be of the acute, inflammatory kind such as may occur following a bee-sting, or whether they be a consequence of renal insufficiency in glomerulonephritis or of cardiac failure. In all such cases Apis may be successfully employed, particularly in combination with other suitable supporting remedies. Oedemas which require Apis frequently occur around the eyes, causing the lower lids, in particular, to hang down as if full of water. In erysipelas there is oedematous swelling of the skin, and further indications include scrotal oedema, pleural effusions and ascites, in which thirstlessness is typi- cal.

Apis is also indicated in acute skin eruptions and urticaria. Apis has similarities with these, and also complements Sulphur well, since both remedies are able to deal with suppressive poisonings (retoxications). In the case of Apis, the homotoxin has been diluted by flooding of the tissues on account of the oedema. A combination of these two remedies achieves excellent results, or they can be given in alternation.

Nash recommends Apis also in diphtheria, and was able to halt and cure a serious epidemic with Apis.

Whilst Apis patients can be very restless, in other cases there may be a profound stupor, interrupted now and again by the “cri encephalique”, as in meningitis. When patients are found to be alternately hot and dry or perspiring, this alternation is an in- dication for Apis, similar to that which we find in Lachesis. Apis is strongly indicat- ed in scarlet fever, especially when kidney or brain complications occur.

In the Apis patient, the tongue is coated whitish with a red tip. Along the edge we find vesicles with stabbing pain.

The main symptoms of Apis may be summed up as follows for quick reference:

1. Stabbing, burning pains like the sting of a bee.
2. Amelioration from cold.
3. Sensitivity to touch and jarring.
4. Irritation of the meninges, especially from suppressed eruptions.
5. Diseases of the serosa, joints, meninges.
6. Oedematous swellings with formations like water-filled sacs. Infiltration of the cellular tissues.
7. Right-sided tonsillitis with oedematous swelling of uvula.
8. Right-sided adnexitis, and other kinds of right-sided inflammatory illnesses or deposition phases (cysts in adnexa).
9. Serous meningitis, “cri encephalique”.
10. Alternation between dryness, heat and sweat.
11. Scarlatina and acute glomerulonephritis.
12. Tongue coated white, with red tip and burning, stinging vesicles on the edge

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Apis mellifica, published the fol- lowing indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for apis mellifica: inflammations and disorders with collection of fluid in tissues and cavities of the body; allergies.