Bee-venom therapy is used to soothe the pain of osteoarthritis

Q. I was stung on my left leg five times by yellow jackets. I have osteoarthritis in my left knee, and the pain has been gone since I was stung. I’m hoping that it will last! If I had a choice, though, I would definitely pick honeybee stings over yellow jackets, as they’re much less painful.

A. You’re not the first person to share such a story with us. Years ago, a reader wrote: “While snoozing on the porch, I was stung on the finger by a tiny bee. The result: intense pain, and after that a great reduction of arthritis in my arm.”

Early in the 20th century, doctors used bee-venom therapy to treat arthritis. Hospital pharmacies even stocked bee venom for these injections. After World War II, though, this approach appeared antiquated and unscientific and was no longer widely used.

Apitherapy, which uses bee stings medicinally, is undergoing a resurgence. Some proponents claim that honeybee stings can alleviate the pain of arthritis, shingles or tendinitis. Yellow jackets can be dangerous, however, and should not be used.

We talked to a number of experts at a meeting of the American Apitherapy Society. Anyone who would like to learn more about bee-venom therapy can order a CD of our hourlong radio show. Please send $16 in check or money order to: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. CD-661, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. A podcast of show No. 661 is available without charge at www.peoplespharmacy.com. People allergic to bee stings must avoid this approach, since the reaction can be lethal.

Q. Does drinking tea limit iron absorption? I usually have a cup of black decaffeinated tea in the morning after taking my vitamins (and Slow Fe, an iron pill). I drink several glasses of iced tea throughout the day and wonder if that also might have an impact. I am anemic and cannot donate blood because my iron levels are too low.

A. Tannins in tea can combine with iron from your pill and keep it from being absorbed, thereby wiping out its benefit. Iron that comes from meat (heme iron) is not affected by tannin. But drinking iced tea throughout the day could interfere with the absorption of iron from other food sources such as spinach.

To maximize your iron absorption, take it at least an hour before or two hours after you drink any tea. Take it with orange juice or vitamin C, because ascorbic acid improves iron absorption.

Q. I read in your column about persimmon punch helping ease acid reflux. I have terrible reflux and would love to know how to make this drink. Can you please tell me?

A. The original report on persimmon punch helping reflux came from a woman who sampled it in a Korean restaurant. She had tried unsuccessfully to stop taking her acid-suppressing drug, but the heartburn kept coming back: “Someone ordered persimmon punch, a concentrated cinnamon-ginger drink, for dessert. A few sips later, I felt fantastic. After a month of adding 3 tablespoons of the cinnamon-ginger drink to my tea morning and night, my heartburn was in control.”

We found the following recipe for persimmon punch on the Food Network Web site, courtesy of Hyungshin Song: Combine 2 quarts of water, 1/2 cup of thinly sliced fresh ginger and 3 cinnamon sticks. Simmer for 1/2 hour. Strain the liquid and stir in 1 and 1/2 cup sugar and 1 cup of sliced dried persimmons. Chill in the refrigerator overnight and serve cold.

XIn their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of The Vindicator or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.

2008 King Features Syndicate, Inc.