Honey Bees as Medicine

The CDC estimates there are around 300,000 cases of Lyme Disease in the United States annually. Although this ailment is commonly documented on the East Coast, the West Coast has fewer cases. In 2014, there were only 31 cases in the Bay Area. But those numbers may not be accurate because Lyme Disease can be difficult to diagnose. In August 2014, Jennifer Lanett, a chiropractor in Berkeley, started experiencing an onslaught of symptoms that varied from jaw numbness to heart palpitations. Jennifer saw 25 doctors over six months until she was diagnosed with Lyme Disease. The diagnosis was just the start. Jennifer was given antibiotics, but she said she wasn’t seeing improvement. Then she found out about bee venom therapy to treat Lyme Disease. Now Jennifer stings herself with 10 bees three times a week. Reporter Marylee Williams gives us a closer look.