Ulcerative Colitis.
Can Bee Venom and Hive Products Help Achieve Remission?
Scientific Research from Around the World and an Inspiring Recovery Story from Israel
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the large intestine in which the immune system contributes to inflammation and damage to the intestinal lining. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, bleeding, fatigue, and a significant reduction in quality of life.
The encouraging news is that the intestinal lining has the ability to heal, and long-term remission is achievable.
Apitherapy, which uses bee venom and other hive products, is an interesting complementary approach being explored for inflammatory bowel diseases. Scientific studies suggest that compounds found in bee venom, propolis, and royal jelly may help reduce inflammation and influence immune system activity.
Matan Hakimi's Story: From Eight Years of Illness to a New Life
Matan Hakimi, an Israeli author of the book Gut Feeling and host of the podcast of the same name, was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at the age of 20 while serving in the military.
For eight years, he lived with the disease, took medication three times a day, and struggled with digestive problems, fatigue, and low energy.
Eventually, he decided to explore ways to improve his health and began making significant changes:
• Changing his diet: Choosing foods based on how they affected his digestive system and reducing foods that made him feel worse.
• Reducing stress: Practicing meditation and becoming more aware of the connection between emotional well-being and physical health.
• Improving daily habits: Establishing healthier routines, keeping a journal, and learning to recognize his body's needs.
• Incorporating apitherapy: Receiving bee sting treatments and using hive products, including propolis, as part of his recovery journey.
Matan began bee sting therapy in Israel with apitherapist Orit Kedar and later continued treatment in the United States.
According to his personal account, over the months in which he combined bee treatments with lifestyle changes, his condition improved significantly. Eventually, he was able to stop taking his regular medication.
Matan describes this journey as a remarkable personal recovery. However, he does not attribute the outcome to any single treatment, but rather to the combination of approaches he adopted.
Read Matan's personal story about bee venom therapy
What Does Scientific Research Show?
1. Bee Venom — Reducing Inflammation and Supporting Intestinal Healing
Melittin, one of the main active components of bee venom, has been studied for its anti-inflammatory properties.
2022 Study: In mice with experimentally induced colitis, melittin treatment reduced diarrhea, bleeding, and damage to the intestinal lining. Researchers observed substantial improvements in intestinal tissue, including when melittin was combined with the anti-inflammatory medication sulfasalazine.
2026 Study — China: Researchers investigated the administration of bee venom at acupuncture points in rats with experimental colitis. The treatment reduced inflammation, improved the condition of the intestinal lining, and lowered inflammatory markers such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6.
2. Propolis — Protecting the Intestinal Lining
Propolis is rich in flavonoids and plant-derived compounds with biological activity.
Experimental studies have found that propolis can reduce inflammatory processes, protect the intestinal lining, and influence biological pathways involved in inflammation and pain signaling.
3. Royal Jelly — Supporting Immune Regulation
A study conducted in Turkey found that administering royal jelly to rats with experimental colitis reduced damage to the intestinal lining and affected immune cells involved in inflammatory processes.
How Can Apitherapy Be Incorporated into Colitis Care?
Apitherapy uses various bee-derived products, each containing different biologically active compounds.
Propolis is available in extracts taken orally. Royal jelly is also consumed orally, while bee venom has been studied both as isolated compounds and through controlled administration at acupuncture points.
Apitherapy practitioners can already offer bee-derived products and work with individuals interested in exploring their use as part of a broader approach to managing ulcerative colitis.
Treatment considerations should take into account disease activity, current medications, and individual health risks. Bee venom requires particular caution because it can trigger severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Bee venom therapy has not been clinically established as a treatment that induces remission in people with ulcerative colitis.
To evaluate progress, patients should work with their gastroenterologist to monitor symptoms, fecal calprotectin levels, and the condition of the intestinal lining. Prescribed medications should not be discontinued without medical guidance.
Conclusion: Reasons for Optimism
Scientific research on bee venom, propolis, and royal jelly has revealed promising effects on inflammatory pathways and the biological mechanisms involved in protecting intestinal tissue. Most of these findings currently come from animal studies.
Matan Hakimi's story adds a personal perspective: someone who incorporated apitherapy, dietary changes, and lifestyle improvements into his recovery journey and, according to his account, experienced significant improvement and eventually stopped taking regular medication.
Today, individuals interested in apitherapy can consult a qualified practitioner to explore whether hive products may be suitable as part of a personalized, complementary care plan, with the goal of supporting well-being and working toward lasting remission.
Combining appropriate medical care, regular monitoring of inflammation, and carefully considered complementary approaches can support an important goal: living a healthy, active life with ulcerative colitis under control.
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