Bee Venom (Apitherapy): Evidence and Safety
Bee venom (apitherapy) is sold as stings, injections and face creams. Read what trials found for MS and pain, the risk of anaphylaxis, and what to do after a sting.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Quick safety points
- Bee venom can cause anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction. It has been reported with live-bee "apitherapy" and with venom injections given as acupuncture. A case report from a Madrid hospital is titled "Death due to Live Bee Acupuncture Apitherapy." [1][2]
- A review of 49 studies covering 59,733 people who had bee venom acupuncture estimated anaphylaxis in about 0.045% of people (27 cases). Skin testing beforehand did not make a measurable difference. [3]
- A review of 145 studies found adverse events were common with bee venom therapy. In trials, bee venom acupuncture had about 3.6 times the risk of adverse events compared with saline injections. [2]
- Signs of a severe reaction are trouble breathing, wheezing, swelling of the face or mouth, throat tightness, fainting or turning blue. Call 911 (999 in the UK) and use epinephrine (adrenaline) if the person has it. [10][11][12]
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding and children: not described in the sources we read for therapeutic venom. See pregnancy and breastfeeding.
What bee venom is
Bee venom is the liquid a honey bee (Apis mellifera) injects when it stings. Its best-known parts are melittin, apamin and phospholipase A2. [14] In apitherapy (treatment with bee products), venom is used in several ways: live bee stings, venom extract injected under the skin or at acupuncture points, venom immunotherapy for allergy, and creams and cosmetics. [5] This page does not explain how to give or receive any of these at home, and we do not recommend self-treatment.Food use and how it differs from medical use
Bee venom is not a food. It is a different product from honey, royal jelly, pollen or propolis, so results for those cannot be carried over to venom. Venom immunotherapy for people allergic to stings is a real, regulated medical treatment given by allergy specialists. It uses purified venom in a controlled schedule and is a different thing from live-bee therapy or venom acupuncture. [9]Traditional use (not proof)
The sources we read describe bee venom as used today in some Korean and other medicine settings, often as "bee venom acupuncture," mainly for musculoskeletal pain. [8] A long history of use does not show that it works or that it is safe.What research shows
| Use | What the source found | Strength of evidence | Population and form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple sclerosis (MS) | In a randomized crossover trial of 26 people with relapsing MS, live bee stings three times a week (up to 20 bees) for 24 weeks did not reduce new MRI lesions, relapses, disability or fatigue, and did not improve quality of life. No serious adverse events in the trial. [6] | No benefit shown | 26 adults, live bee stings |
| MS (guideline) | The American Academy of Neurology guideline rated bee sting therapy as "possibly ineffective" for relapses, disability, fatigue and lesion burden. [7] | Guideline: probably not helpful | MS, live stings |
| Musculoskeletal pain | An updated review found 20 randomized trials. Pain fell more than with saline injection in the pooled results. The authors noted few, small trials, very different methods and doses, and no severe side effects in the 8 trials that checked. [8] | Preliminary, mixed quality | Venom acupuncture injections, mostly Korean trials |
| Safety of therapeutic venom | A review of 105 studies (67 extract injections, 26 venom immunotherapy, 8 live stings, 4 external) said adverse events were reported unevenly, and called for a large objective trial. Most of the 35 randomized trials had weak risk-of-bias ratings. [5] | Evidence is weak | Mixed forms |
| Venom immunotherapy for sting allergy | A European guideline built on a systematic review says venom immunotherapy is the only treatment to prevent further systemic sting reactions in venom-allergic people. [9] | Clinically supported (allergy only) | Venom-allergic adults and children, supervised |
| Face serum | An 8-week study of 40 women aged 40 to 55 using a serum with manuka honey, royal jelly and bee venom reported fewer fine lines and dark spots. The abstract describes no control group and the serum was a mix, so the venom effect cannot be separated. [13] | Very preliminary | 40 women, one product |
We did not find in the sources we read any trial showing that bee venom helps rheumatoid arthritis or other conditions beyond these. Proper evidence not found in the sources we read for bee venom in cancer, diabetes or brain disease; reviews describe laboratory and animal findings only and say more trials are needed. [14]
In the lab, bee venom products showed strong toxicity to three cell lines in a 2024 test of animal-venom pharmacopuncture products. [15] Cell and animal findings do not show effects in people.
Forms and why they matter
- Live bee stings: a bee delivers venom directly. Doses vary and cannot be controlled. [6]
- Venom extract injections or "bee venom acupuncture": liquid venom injected under the skin or at acupuncture points, mainly in Korean medicine. [2][8]
- Venom immunotherapy: purified venom in small, rising amounts to make an allergic person tolerant. Given by trained allergy doctors because of anaphylaxis risk. [9]
- Creams, serums and masks: sold as "bee venom face cream." A review describes cosmetic uses and says safety remains a concern because of immune reactions, including anaphylaxis. [14] Products vary and may not state how much venom they contain.
- Dietary supplements and drops: not covered by the sources we read.
Safety and cautions
- Anaphylaxis: a Korean hospital review of 8,580 people and 60,654 treatments found 4 people with anaphylactic shock; all recovered. [4] Another review estimated 0.045% overall and a higher rate in women, though the confidence ranges overlapped. [3] Anaphylaxis can strike without warning, even after earlier treatments passed uneventfully; the authors of the Madrid case report discuss repeated exposure. [1]
- Skin tests do not protect you: in the large review, skin testing before treatment was not linked to a lower rate. [3]
- Qualified supervision: the 145-study review concluded that practitioners' education and qualifications should be ensured. [2]
- Allergy, asthma and atopy: the sources we read describe sting allergy; they do not rank asthma as a separate risk for therapeutic venom. People with a past severe sting reaction should see an allergist, not self-treat. [9][12]
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children, diabetes, medicines and surgery: not described in the sources we read.
- Official warnings: we did not read an FDA, NCCIH or EMA statement on bee venom therapy for this page.
- If someone is stung and reacts badly: scrape the stinger out with a firm edge (do not squeeze it with tweezers), call 911, help them use their epinephrine if they have it, keep them calm and stay with them until help arrives. [10][11] In the UK, call 999. [12]
Quality and buying
We did not find a source we read that tests creams or injectable venom products for how much venom they contain or for purity. Cosmetic and food rules differ from medicine rules; see regulation of natural ingredients.Related pages
Uses studied and safety checks for Bee Venom (Apitherapy)
Read the safety checks first. Each card says whether a finding comes from people, from the lab or from tradition, which product and way of use was tested, and how strong the evidence is. A finding for one product or one way of using it does not carry over to another.
Check before you use (4)
- Bee venom and anaphylaxis. Bee venom can cause anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction, including during deliberate venom therapy. A fatal case after live bee acupuncture has been reported.
- What to do after a bad sting reaction. Signs of a severe reaction are trouble breathing, wheezing, swelling of face or mouth, throat tightness or fainting. Call emergency services and use epinephrine if available.
- Adverse events with therapeutic bee venom. A review of 105 studies found adverse events were common and unevenly reported, and called for a large objective trial. Bee venom acupuncture had about 3.6 times the relative risk of adverse events versus saline injection.
- Safety gaps. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children, medicines and surgery are not described for therapeutic bee venom in the sources read.
Bee venom and multiple sclerosis
Preliminary or mixedA randomized crossover trial of 26 people found no benefit for MRI lesions, relapses, disability, fatigue or quality of life; a neurology guideline rated bee sting therapy possibly ineffective.
Supplements: No benefit shown for MS.
Bee venom acupuncture and musculoskeletal pain
Preliminary or mixedTwenty randomized trials were pooled; pain fell more than with saline injection, but trials were few, small and varied.
Supplements: Preliminary; quality limited.
Venom immunotherapy for sting allergy
Clinically supportedA medically supervised treatment for people allergic to stings; a European guideline calls it the only treatment that prevents further systemic sting reactions. It is different from bee venom therapy.
Supplements: Applies only to venom-allergic people under specialist care.
Bee venom face creams and serums
Preliminary or mixedThe only human study read was an uncontrolled 8-week test of a mixed serum (manuka honey, royal jelly, venom) in 40 women; reviews list cosmetic uses and warn of immune reactions.
Supplements: Very preliminary; no controlled trial of venom alone read.
Bee venom in cancer, diabetes and brain disease
Lab or animal research onlyReviews describe laboratory and animal findings only and say clinical use is limited by allergic reactions and toxicity.
Supplements: None shown for people.
Bee venom toxicity in the lab
Lab or animal research onlyBee venom pharmacopuncture products showed strong cell toxicity in a 2024 laboratory test.
Supplements: None.
Connected topics
Open a group to see how each topic connects and how strong the evidence is.
Body systems (2)
- Immune SupportDocumented risk
Venom is an allergen: it can trigger anaphylaxis, and venom immunotherapy is an allergy treatment.
- Pain & InflammationPreliminary or mixed
Venom acupuncture lowered musculoskeletal pain more than saline in pooled small trials; quality limited.
Body parts (1)
- Immune SystemDocumented risk
Venom can trigger a severe allergic reaction in some people.
Functional actions (1)
- Pain ReliefPreliminary or mixed
Pooled small trials of venom acupuncture reported lower musculoskeletal pain than saline; evidence preliminary.
Conditions & symptoms (2)
- AnaphylaxisDocumented risk
Bee venom, by sting or venom therapy, can trigger anaphylaxis; a fatal case after live bee acupuncture has been reported.
- Multiple SclerosisPreliminary or mixed
A randomized trial of 26 people found no benefit and a neurology guideline rated bee sting therapy possibly ineffective.
Frequently asked questions
Is bee venom therapy safe?
It carries a real risk of anaphylaxis, and a fatal case after live bee acupuncture has been reported. Reviews found adverse events were common. [1][2][3]
Does bee venom treat multiple sclerosis?
A randomized trial of 26 people found no benefit for MRI lesions, relapses, disability or fatigue, and an American Academy of Neurology guideline rated it possibly ineffective. [6][7]
Does bee venom help with pain?
A review of 20 trials found pain fell more than with saline in pooled results, but trials were few, small and varied. Evidence is preliminary. [8]
Is venom immunotherapy the same as bee venom therapy?
No. Venom immunotherapy is supervised allergy treatment that helps prevent severe sting reactions in people who are venom-allergic. Live stings and venom acupuncture are different. [9]
Do bee venom face creams work?
The one human study we read was an uncontrolled 8-week test of a mixed serum in 40 women, so no firm conclusion is possible. Reviews also warn of immune reactions. [13][14]
References
- Vazquez-Revuelta P, Madrigal-Burgaleta R, Journal of Investigational Allergology & Clinical Immunology 2018, Death due to Live Bee Acupuncture Apitherapy (Europe PMC record: title, authors and index terms only; abstract and full text not read). Read 2026-10-24.
- Park JH et al., PLoS One 2015, Risk Associated with Bee Venom Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Read 2026-10-24.
- Ko SH et al., Toxins 2022, Incidence Rate of Bee Venom Acupuncture Related Anaphylaxis: A Systematic Review. Read 2026-10-24.
- Lee EJ et al., Frontiers in Pharmacology 2020, Incidence Rate of Hypersensitivity Reactions to Bee-Venom Acupuncture. Read 2026-10-24.
- Yoo J, Lee G, Toxins 2022, Adverse Events Associated with the Clinical Use of Bee Venom: A Review. Read 2026-10-24.
- Wesselius T et al., Neurology 2005, A randomized crossover study of bee sting therapy for multiple sclerosis. Read 2026-10-24.
- Yadav V et al., Neurology 2014, Summary of evidence-based guideline: complementary and alternative medicine in multiple sclerosis (American Academy of Neurology). Read 2026-10-24.
- Sung SH et al., BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 2025, Bee venom acupuncture for musculoskeletal pain conditions: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Read 2026-10-24.
- EAACI Taskforce, Allergy 2018, EAACI guidelines on allergen immunotherapy: Hymenoptera venom allergy. Read 2026-10-24.
- MedlinePlus, Bee sting, reviewed 14 Oct 2025. Read 2026-10-24.
- MedlinePlus, Anaphylaxis, reviewed 20 Jan 2026. Read 2026-10-24.
- NHS, Insect bites and stings, reviewed 1 June 2023. Read 2026-10-24.
- O'Gorman E et al., Cureus 2025, Investigating the effects of a manuka honey, royal jelly and bee venom-derived face serum on skin health and signs of aging (abstract summary read). Read 2026-10-24.
- Lourenço KA et al., International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2026, From Toxin to Therapy: Biomedical Applications of Bee Venom; El-Wahed AAA et al., Toxins 2021, Cosmetic Applications of Bee Venom (abstracts read). Read 2026-10-24.
- So YJ et al., Journal of Pharmacopuncture 2024, In vitro assays for safety and toxicity in animal-derived pharmacopuncture (abstract read). Read 2026-10-24.