Wang Menglin's acupuncture clinic in Beijing
Why this man wants to be stung by bees: Chinese 'doctors' claim venom can ward off diseases such as cancer to arthritis
- Patients in China visit acupuncture clinics to receive given bee stings in a bid to treat or ward off life-threatening illness
- More than 27,000 people have undergone the painful technique at Wang Menglin's acupuncture clinic in Beijing
- Scientists in the West have dismissed the treatment as quackery as there is no orthodox medical evidence that bee venom is effective against illness
Patients in China are swarming to acupuncture clinics to be given bee stings to treat or ward off life-threatening illness, practitioners say.
More than 27,000 people have undergone the painful technique - each session can involve dozens of punctures - at Wang Menglin's clinic in Beijing, says the bee acupuncturist who makes his living from believers in the concept.
But except for trying to prevent allergic reactions to the stings themselves, there is no orthodox medical evidence that bee venom is effective against illness, and rationalist websites in the West describe so-called 'apitherapy' as 'quackery'.
A patient receives a bee sting administered by a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine at a clinic on the outskirts of Beijing
Patients in China are swarming to acupuncture clinics to be given bee stings (pictured) to treat or ward off life-threatening illness, arthritis, and cancer, practitioners say
'We hold the bee, put it on a point on the body, hold its head, and pinch it until the sting needle emerges,' Wang said at his facility on the outskirts of the capital.
The bee - Wang said he uses an imported Italian variety - dies when it stings.
'We've treated patients with dozens of diseases, from arthritis to cancer, all with positive results,' said Wang.
A doctor of traditional Chinese medicine prepares to administer a bee sting to a patient. More than 27,000 people have undergone the painful technique - each session can involve dozens of punctures - at Wang Menglin's clinic
Except for trying to prevent allergic reactions to the stings themselves, there is no orthodox medical evidence that bee venom is effective against illness and rationalist websites in the West describe so-called 'apitherapy' as 'quackery'. Here a man receives a sting to his foot
Bee stings can be used to treat 'most common diseases of the lower limbs,' he added, and claimed they also work as a preventative measure.
But sciencebasedmedicine.org, a US-based website, says that such claims of panaceas and cure-alls are 'always a red flag for quackery'.
'There is no scientific evidence to support its use,' it says of 'apitherapy', or treatment with bee products.
Here, a woman endures a bee sting. Wang said: 'We've treated patients with dozens of diseases, from arthritis to cancer, all with positive results'
Doctor of traditional Chinese medicine Wang Menglin uses tweezers to hold a bee at his clinic on the outskirts of Beijing. He said: 'We hold the bee, put it on a point on the body, hold its head, and pinch it until the sting needle emerges'
One of Wang's patients said doctors told him he had lung and brain cancer and gave him little over a year to live, but he now believes he has almost doubled his life expectancy and credits bee stings for the change.
'From last year up until now, I think I'm getting much stronger,' the patient told AFP.
But on its website, the American Cancer Society makes clear: 'There have been no clinical studies in humans showing that bee venom or other honeybee products are effective in preventing or treating cancer.
A woman eyes the bees nervously. One of Wang's patients (not pictured) said doctors told him he had lung and brain cancer and gave him little over a year to live, but he now believes he has almost doubled his life expectancy and credits bee stings for the change
A patient rests after receiving bee stings, visible on her legs, which some claim can cure major illnesses, such as cancer. The American Cancer Society stressed no clinical studies in humans have shown that bee venom or other honeybee products are effective in preventing or treating cancer
'Relying on this type of treatment alone and avoiding or delaying conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health consequences.'
It adds that there is a Koranic reference to the medicinal properties of the liquid produced by bees, and that Charlemagne (742-814), the first Holy Roman Emperor, is said to have been treated with bee stings.
In the West bee stings have also been used by sufferers of multiple sclerosis (MS), an often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system.
Here, a patient receives an injection after being stung by bees by a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine. Bee stings are used to treat serious illnesses but the American Cancer Society warned relying on the treatment alone may have serious health consequences
The bee Wang uses is an imported Italian variety (pictured) that dies when it stings the patient
But the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of the US says on its website: 'In spite of long-standing claims about the possible benefits of bee venom for people with MS, a 24-week randomised study showed no reduction in disease activity, disability, or fatigue, and no improvement in quality of life.'
The trend for bee acupuncture comes at a time when colonies of the insect around the world are mysteriously collapsing.
Environmentalists fear dwindling numbers of bees, which help pollinate crops, could have a serious effect on agricultural production.
Bees are prepared by a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine. In the West bee stings have also been used by sufferers of multiple sclerosis (MS), an often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system
A patient endures the rather painful traditional medical treatment. Bee venom is one of the many traditional Chinese medicine treatments derived from animals and plants, some of which are blamed for endangering particular wildlife species
Bee venom is one of the many traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatments derived from animals and plants, some of which are blamed for endangering particular wildlife species.
TCM is a major part of China's healthcare system and a booming industry which continues to receive significant investment and support from the central government.
Many people in China cannot afford to buy the latest orthodox pharmaceuticals as national health insurance is limited.
Traditional Chinese medicine is a major part of China's healthcare system and a booming industry which continues to receive significant investment and support from the central government. Here a woman rests after her treatment
A patient suffering from cancer (left) rests after receiving bee stings from a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine (right). In China, older people, who are more likely to fall ill, often favour traditional remedies because of deep-rooted cultural beliefs in the power of natural, rather than modern, ingredients
Older people, who are more likely to fall ill, also favour traditional remedies because of deep-rooted cultural beliefs in the power of natural, rather than modern, ingredients.
Most hospitals in China have traditional medicine treatments available.
It can be a lucrative field for companies and practitioners.
In 2012, the TCM industry in China produced goods worth 516 billion yuan ($84 billion or around £54 billion), more than 31 percent of the country's total medicine output, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
Bees in their hive outside a clinic on the outskirts of Beijing. The trend for bee acupuncture comes at a time when colonies of the insect around the world are mysteriously collapsing
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