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First apitherapy centre in UAE opens in capital

ABU DHABI - Traditional medicine has received a boost with the first apitherapy (a system of treatment using honeybee products) centre in the UAE opening in the capital under the administration of Dr Mohammed Saeed El Sarraj, a renowned Arab professor in the field of agriculture, especially apiculture (beekeeping).

The fully equipped centre known as: 'Professor Centre for Apitherapy and Cupping' also provides non-conventional therapy - cupping (Hijama) or sucking of the blood (purgation) that is believed to be decomposed for the body and is the main cause of ailments.

Cupping or Hijama is common at physiotherapy departments at some hospitals in the country. The new apitherapy centre, which has separate sections for males and females, is reinforced by three laboratory technicians, a physician and a consultant.

In an exclusive interview with Khaleej Times, Professor Sarraj, former expert at the Arab Organisation for Agriculture Development, Arab League, said that apitherapy, which is used in treating different diseases and chronic health problems, was originally derived from the Islamic teachings.

"The companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) have inculcated the common sense of curing and treatment of various ailments using doses of bee honey as excellent remedy for diseases," said Dr Sarraj, who spent 23 years teaching zoology, general entomology and crop protection at the Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Khartoum, Sudan.

About the benefits of bee honey, he said honey facilitates better physical performance and resistance to fatigue and increases brain's efficiency.

Due to its high nutritional values honey also improves the growth of non-breast fed infants, improves calcium fixation in bones and cures anaemia and anorexia, he said.

"Honey is well known remedy for colds, mouth, throats or bronchial irritations as well as infections. Apart from its anti-bacterial effects, honey soothes and relaxes the effects of fructose and reduces eye affections like cataracts and conjunctivitis if directly applied to the eye."

Honey is also used in moisturising and nourishing the skin and can be applied directly on open wounds, sores, ulcers and burns, he said.

It also fights infections and promotes tissue regeneration, added Dr Sarraj.

Concerning the useful components of honey, he explained that it has three major components known as Royal Jelly (RJ), Propolis and Venom.

"RJ, which is rich in vitamin B and has numerous minor components that belong to diverse chemical categories, has been proved to treat impotence and increase resistance to viral infections."

Propolis, which is a viscous substance known as bee gum is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic and anti-cancerous, he said.

Venom, which is another vital constituent of bee honey and composed of several biochemical and pharmacological active substances, is used in treating rheumatoid, arthritis and thyroid disorders, said Dr Sarraj.

He said apitherapy, also used to treat different other diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, gynaecological disorders, impotence, prostate, mastitis, colitis (IBS) or Irritable Bowl Syndrome, sciatica, depression, sychostenia, addiction, haemorrhoids, incontinence, cystitis, pancreatitis, tonsillitis, pubitis and gingivitis.

About the methods followed in apitherapy, Dr Sarraj said patients who wish to undergo apitherapy should first have their laboratory tests and medical consultations before receiving the traditional treatment, which is based on honey bee products and usually lasts for about one to three weeks.

During this period, patients should halt chemical medication if any until they complete the apitherapy sessions, which largely depend on the severity of the case, he said.

Treatment adopted in apitherapy varies from honey bee stings and honey syrup to mixture of different components of bee products, said Dr Sarraj.

One of Dr Sarraj's outstanding achievement is a breakthrough in the field of scleroderma, the auto immune disease, which he made along with another expert in 1971.

Dr Sarraj is planning to register a patent for his products with the UAE Ministry of Health.