Apis mellifica

English patient information. Some clinical wording may still reflect the German source text. Not for self-prescription.

The effect of Apis, the honey bee, is similar to that of a bee sting. There is burning, stabbing pain, severe swelling and tenderness of the skin. The characteristic of the swelling, both of the skin and of the mucous membrane, is its content of tissue fluid, which gives it a waxy, glazed appearance.

Apis acts on many types of swelling, for example of the upper eyelids and the lower eyelids, it acts on edema, both allergic and those coming from the heart or kidney, when they have the appearance described above. It acts on water retention in the body, no matter where it occurs. It cures tympanic effusion, hydrocele testis, ascites (abdominal dropsy). It acts on arthritic joint inflammation (synovitis), in kidney disease with edema, in albuminuria (as a result of heart disease and in pregnancy and after scarlet fever) and in urticaria (hives) when caused by physical exertion.

Another characteristic of Apis is the aggravation of all ailments by warmth or heat, whether it is the heat of the bed, a warm stove or a hot bath. The symptoms get better with cold water.

If the above characteristics (burning, stabbing pain, edematous swelling of the skin, aggravation by heat) are present, Apis also cures scarlet fever and erysipelas (a bacterial skin disease). If fever occurs, the patient has little thirst (pulse).

A special indication is meningitis or acute hydrocephalus. Here a shrill cry (cri encéphalique) is the indication of the application of Apis.

Other symptoms that make you think of Apis are: Tight clothing around the neck or stomach is perceived as uncomfortable (laughter). The sick person claims to be healthy despite being seriously ill (Arn.). Jealousy as a trait (the bee is one of the most jealous animals).