The world scientific literature contains more than 1500 articles on bee venom, which has found wide uses in treating arthritis and other inflammatory and degenerative diseases.

Comvita Actiflex Plus contains bee venom and ginger in a rich and smooth base of Comvita Manuka Honey. This is a totally natural product which will not cause gastric irritation making it a good alternative anti-inflammatory for arthritis sufferers who are unable to tolerate prescription medicines due to their harsh gastric side-effects. Although only released in New Zealand in 1999, Actiflex Plus already proven to be therapeutically effective and revolutionary product for the sufferers of arthritis and other inflammatory disease.

Bee venom therapy.

In earlier times bee venom therapy was generally applied as stings directly from the bee into the affected areas. The obvious pain caused by the treatment often makes this a "last resort" approach, but it is worth it for the many people who use this form of bee venom therapy because it works. A chance discovery in New Zealand in 1996 has led to bee venom being added to honey so that it may be taken orally. This effective method of using bee venom is not only pain-free, it is very pleasant and nutritious, and has the associated health benefits of New Zealand Manuka Honey.

How bee venom and honey therapy works.

The key ingredients in bee venom are melittin and apamin which have been shown to stimulate the pituitary gland, releasing a hormone that causes the adrenal gland to produce cortisol, one of the body's natural

anti-inflammatory agents. Bee venom appears to act like cortisone: in fact bee venom is effective in all afflictions that are influenced by cortisone.

Bee venom is not accompanied by side effects normally associated with cortisone, apart from rare allergic reactions.

Other Active Ingredients.

Actiflex Plus also contains ginger root which also has a strong reputation in the fight against arthritis. The active components in ginger reduce the formation of prostaglandins and leukotrienes which promote pain and inflammation.

Safety of Actiflex Plus bee venom and honey therapy.

The safety of Actiflex Plus has been carefully researched and an optimal dosage established.

However it is still essential that people who are allergic to bee stings seek medical advice before using any product containing bee venom.

(Ironically, bee venom therapy is used effectively to reduce the sensitivity of individuals allergic to bee stings).

Individuals taking beta blockers for blood pressure and cardiovascular disease should seek advice before using Actiflex Plus.

How to use Actiflex PlusTM bee venom.

We recommend that new users should start with ¼ of a teaspoon and build up to 2 to 3 teaspoons a day over about a week.

The bee venom is tasteless and best absorbed in the mouth as the active components are destroyed by the body's enzymes once they enter the stomach.

The dose may be reduced to a maintenance level once the pain level has subsided.

A slight tingling in the mouth is quite normal and should reduce with further doses. If the tingling is widespread, you should stop using the product and seek medical advice before resuming.