Photos: Egyptian beekeeper therapist uses venom to heal his patients
Updated On Nov 18, 2018 03:47 PM IST
After reading about the benefits of bees in the Koran, Haj Omar Abulhassan, a health practitioner in Egypt decided five years ago to raise the insects and use the venom in alternative therapy. Alhough the benefits of bee-sting therapy have not been scientifically proven, Abulhassan believes the venom can relieve pain and cure illnesses such as rheumatism.
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Updated on Nov 18, 2018 03:47 PM IST
A patient who suffers from nerve problems receives bee-sting therapy by Haj Omar Abulhassan at the treatment room of his home in Cairo, Egypt. On his rooftop, Abulhassan raises thousands of bees -- not for the honey, but their venom. (Amr Abdallah Dalsh / REUTERS)
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Updated on Nov 18, 2018 03:47 PM IST
Haj Omar Abulhassan, a health practitioner, reacts with a plastic bag filled with bees used in the process of treatment for a variety of ailments on the roof of his home in Cairo. After reading about the benefits of bees in the Koran, Abulhassan, 30, decided five years ago to raise the insects and use the venom in alternative therapy. (Amr Abdallah Dalsh / REUTERS)
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Abulhassan uses smoke to calm the bees used in the process of treatment. He believes bee stings can relieve pain and cure illnesses such as rheumatism. (Amr Abdallah Dalsh / REUTERS)
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Abulhassan allows one of his bees to sting a patient suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. “These are not the only benefits,” said Abulhassan, who has no medical background. “It helps with having a better mood,” he added. (Amr Abdallah Dalsh / REUTERS)
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He now treats about five people a month. In a typical session, he’ll use six bees to sting his patient in different parts of the body. (Amr Abdallah Dalsh / REUTERS)
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Mohamed Abdelfattah (not pictured), 29, a regular patient, said the therapy improves his mood and makes him feel healthy. “I constantly receive treatment using bees to increase my immunity and body strength,” said Abdelfattah. (Amr Abdallah Dalsh / REUTERS)
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A girl patient holds one of the bees as she receives bee-sting treatment. The benefits of bee-sting therapy have not been scientifically proven, said Mahmoud Abdullatif, an experienced beekeeper and member of the Arab Federation of Beekeepers. (Amr Abdallah Dalsh / REUTERS)
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Updated on Nov 18, 2018 03:47 PM IST