The Healing Power of Living with Bees

Presented at the Australian Apitherapy Association Conference

Hello everyone,

I am deeply honored and delighted to be here at the Australian Apitherapy Association Conference for the second time. This gathering is extraordinary because it is inspired by the bee—a small yet incredibly powerful insect that brings us together. Thank you so much for inviting me. My name is Yan, and I come from Bali, Indonesia. Today, I want to share the transformative benefits of living with bees and the role of apitherapy in health and well-being.

Ancient Wisdom in Modern Times

Apitherapy is not new to Bali. For thousands of years, my ancestors have lived in harmony with bees. Our ancient medical texts even recommend honey-based treatments. However, when people think of beekeeping, they often focus on honey and pollination. Yet, I believe the greatest gift of beekeeping is apitherapy.

While my ancestors may not have known the term "apitherapy," they practiced it naturally in their daily lives. By living closely with bees, they benefited from hive aroma therapy, bee sound healing, and even accidental bee venom therapy during honey harvests.

One fascinating tradition was harvesting bee brood during the full moon as a source of protein. Families consumed it raw or cooked, utilizing all hive products, including honey, bee pollen, larvae, pupae, worker jelly, royal jelly, and beeswax. Even bee venom from almost-hatched bees was consumed. This lifestyle likely contributed to their long, healthy lives.

Beekeeping with a New Purpose

Today, I continue my ancestors' legacy but with a modern approach. Unlike them, I never harvest or consume bee products. Instead, I focus on apitherapy and bee conservation. Hive aroma therapy, bee sound healing, and bee venom therapy have kept my family healthy for over seven years without needing doctors or medication.

I also share this lifestyle with others. After my workshops, one school in Bali even requested bee hives in their classrooms to bring students closer to nature. I frequently organize free workshops on sustainable beekeeping and living with bees to commemorate World Bee Day.

Bees as Healers

Before keeping bees, I led an active lifestyle, engaging in sports like football, badminton, swimming, and cycling. Despite this, I suffered from frequent colds, coughs, and fevers, often taking weeks to recover. In 1992, I even sought help from a traditional healer because I believed my recurring illnesses might have been caused by something unnatural. While my health improved, I eventually discovered that living with bees brought me lasting wellness.

For example, I suffered from chronic wrist pain for over a decade. No treatment worked until 2017, when I tried bee sting therapy. Remarkably, the pain disappeared after just one session. Similarly, I endured cervical root syndrome (CRS) for 25 years, with no relief from conventional treatments. In 2019, after one month of bee sting therapy, my CRS was completely cured.

Bees have also healed other ailments in my family. My son, once reliant on nebulizers for asthma, is now asthma-free after living with bees and occasional bee stings. My wife’s severe bronchitis vanished, and she now uses bee venom therapy for anti-aging and collagen production. My mother finds relief from shingles pain through bee stings, and my father remains diabetes-free despite his siblings being diabetic—a testament to his lifelong beekeeping.

A Natural Path to Health

Renowned beekeeper Ross Conrad said, "Apitherapy supports our body to heal itself." My experience proves this. My wounds now heal rapidly without medication. Gastritis, which plagued me for 30 years, disappeared after a year of living with bees. My house, once filled with medications, has become a sanctuary of natural health.

Apis cerana, a species native to Asia, is ideal for apitherapy. These chemical-free, gentle bees are perfect for living harmoniously with humans. My son has been playing with bees since he was four years old, and I believe children raised with bees develop a deeper connection to nature, better health, and a greater understanding of our role in the ecosystem.

Prevention Over Cure

Most people turn to apitherapy as a last resort for healing. While it is highly effective for treating ailments, I believe its greatest potential lies in prevention. By living with bees, we can foster health and well-being naturally, avoiding illnesses before they arise.

I invite you to consider living with bees—not just for their products but for the profound healing and harmony they bring. Perhaps you might even welcome a bee colony onto your verandah and experience the miracles of living in harmony with these incredible creatures.

Thank you.

(Based on a presentation by Yan Bali at the Australian Apitherapy Association Conference.)