Use of Apitherapy as a Novel Practice in the Management of Oral Diseases: A Review of Literature

Abstract

Man has always been ignorant of the plethora of natural products that are available around him. In his search for newer treatment modalities in medicine, he has reached back to the source of several vital materials that are available in nature. These natural products are not only highly bioactive, they also have several interactions that are synergistic in preventing infections, promoting healing and preserving health in total.Bees have been around much longer than humans and the pinnacle of their evolution has been the development of honey. This multifaceted material is vital to the survival of the species and plays a major role in the physiologic development and maturity of bees. Man has been harvesting this natural resource of infinite applications and has been using it in traditional medicine since time immemorial.Developments in science have led to us having a better understanding of the ingredients present in bee products and it has generated great interest in its use for medical treatment. This is the field of apitherapy. Its applications in oral diseases are not widely known. It has certainly shown great promise as being the next gold mine of therapeutic medicines that are useful in managing many oral diseases.