Apitherapyreview.org

DR. MITSUO MATSUKA

Brief introduction of Dr Mitsuo Matsuka :

- Retired professor of Tamagawa University ,
- Director of the Institute of Honeybee Science (1993-1997),
- Attended at Apimondia Congress since 1971,
- Joined to IBRA since 1973.
- President of Asian Apicultural Association (1996-2006),
- Propolis Researcher's Association (1997- ),
- Nippon Apitherapy Society (2007- ),
- Japan Royal jelly Fair Trade Council (2008-), etc.
- Author and editor of university textbooks and general guidebooks in - biology, honey bee science, etc.
- An expert in insect physiology and bee products.

Q. Did Japanese healing in the past included Apitherapy ? Which is the earliest date we have references in the Japanese medical texts about honey bee products or bee stings? When did research first start in Japan on Apitherapy?

A. Traditional beekeeping using Japanese honey bees, Apis cerana was not industrialized. Modern beekeeping with Apis mellifera developed at the end of the19 th century. Studies on bee venom were found around 1940 and effects by bee stung were experienced by beekeepers on the one hand. Several beekeepers developed a technique using sting apparatus with forceps to treat wounds, boils, joint inconveniences, etc. and in 1979, Japan Bee Sting Therapy Association was founded with 150 beekeepers. They have held workshops on the techniques of apipuncture and published magazines in Japanese. You can visit a website at http://www.npoapi.net/english/index.htm , though limited access. It was reorganized as Japan Apitherapy Association (authorized as a non-profit organization) in 2001.

Q. Who started it? What kind of institutions. Public or Private?

A. Dr. Eiichi Nakada (the first president) and Mr. Kouichi Fukazawa (the second) of the above association would be founders of the Apipuncture-therapy in Japan .

Q. Which institutes research today systematically on Apitherapy?

A. Apitherapy may have two aspects, apipuncture and bee product science. The former is described above. And the latter aspects are carried out in some universities as Tamagawa and Gifu Pharmaceutical Universities , and also in institutions founded by several bee companies.

Q. Which were the first important discovering in Japanese research on Apitherapy? What is their impact on Apitherapy (and Apipuncture) as we know it today on the rest of the world?

A. I believe the controlled treatment technique with sting apparatus should be regarded as the most importand advance.

It was the 30 th Apimondia Congress in Nagoya (1985) which enlighten Japanese people to the healthy bee product world, especially one could say it was the first year of propolis in Japan . Royal jelly and propolis consumption lead the world, they are supported by health-oriented, long-lived, and wealthy Japanese people.

In bee product science, the report of Matsuno (1991) on anti-tumor activity of proplolis was the most stimulative publication.

Q. Which are the latest subjects where research in Japan is now focused? What do you wish to achieve with the results of this research? Which problems do researchers find today in their efforts?

A. Genomic and proteomic studies are advancing on royal jelly proteins and mechanism of physiological reactions of propolis, as well as bee behavioral studies. I hope these results would be accepted among alternative medical people. To this end, we should present the evidence-based information and their significance effectively.

Q. Do Japanese people practice Apitherapy and or apipuncture often in today's Japan ?

A. Japanese people follow Apitherapy treatments as a complementary medicine to classic medicine or as alternative medicine? Which is most prevalent?

Apipuncture is not popular irrespective of above endeavor, although Japanese people love bee products to use them for their health. Such situation may be maintained in near future. We will do our endeavor for more popularity and recognition of apitherapy.

Q. Would you say that Apitherapy is more preventive or more healing? Is this attribute different among the various products of the bee?

A. Should be preventive through improvement of nutritional condition as well as immunological enforcement. Healing power of BVT and some substances are also useful in several cases, which would be examined scientifically further. CAM should be investigated on personal (order made) bases.

Q. How is the legal framework of Apitherapy treatments in Japan ? Can all doctors or alternative healers practice Apipuncture and give Apitherapy prescriptions to patients or not?

A. Apipuncture is not prohibited, but is not covered with health insurance to pay. People select these on their own judgment. Problem is doctors even in alternative medical field don't know what is apipuncture.

Q.Does the legal framework in Japan helps promote the bee products?

A. Almost all bee products are health foods or supplements, and not regarded as medicines. Advertisement of health supplements are limited, it is prohibited to sell these products to lead people misunderstand as medicines. There are a few allowed cases in which some bee products would be used for limited objectives as “special supplement” when certified the effectiveness.

Q.Propolis has become a very successful product in Japan . Could you tell us why propolis has managed to become so well known and favorable to the consumers?

A. Apimondia in 1985 was a lucky and clear start line as described before. Japanese people awakened to the healthy bee product world, which have been, since then, supported by health-oriented, long-lived, and wealthy Japanese people. These are not only for propolis, but also for royal jelly.

Q.How does the deterioration of the environment affect the bee products and human health in consequence? Colony collapse disorder is a world wide phenomenon. Which are the reasons of it according to your experience?

A. Due to Hominization, artificial every day life have deteriorated environment, even bees (e.g. CCD) and humanbeing. These 50 years so many Japanese people suffer from pollinosis against Cryptomeria and other plants possibly due to development of sensibility to exogenous allergens. Responses themselves are natural, but since so many causes work simultaneously and complexly, balancing is too difficult to keep at good condition.

Q.Particularities and differences between western and eastern Apitherapy and Apipuncture techniques. Please give us details. What would you like to see in the near future in the Apitherapy world

A. In general, western science is analytical and reasonable, but weak in holistic approach. Oriental way has accepted things as they are in ambiguous situation without critical thinking. I have a great interest to know for example whether acupuncture theory could explain the substantial (immunological) response in bodies. In that sense, both western and eastern apitherapy should be unified or integrated collaboratory.

As a result, evidence-based “scientific” explanation could persuade people to accept our presentation; apitherapy (bee products) would be more popularized.

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