Apitherapy in Slovenia | Beekeeping 2.0

Are you also deeply fascinated by bees and beekeeping? I had already heard about apitherapy and was very pleasantly surprised when I saw the opportunity to visit Andreja and her absolutely wonderful apitherapy house in Slovenia.

Andreja and her husband met us at a small wooden house on the edge of a copse, surrounded by a herb garden and beside an emerald green river. Immediately, we could hear the buzzing from the beehives. The house was built of pine by Andreja's husband and furnished with simple cots, placed directly on top of beehives. A mild scent of wax, honey, and wood filled the air, while the vibrations from the bees' hum spread up through the wood.

The different beehives and the shape of the house

The house consisted of two parts: a tranquil resting area with three cots placed on top of beehives and with beehives as a wall, and a small room where the host sold honey, propolis, and herbal salves. The beehives were painted in soft tones and adorned with traditional Slovenian symbols. The hives were horizontal and located precisely at the height of the cots, so that the bees' energy could reach the body without direct contact with them.

Andreja demonstrates how apitherapy can work. On one hand, you inhale the bees' beneficial aromas; on the other, the buzzing itself is meditative. They also use honey salves for meditation and relaxation. Andreja herself recounted that she had experienced pain in her thumb and allowed a bee to sting her in the affected area. The bee venom and sting increased blood flow and provided relief. Her thumb regained some mobility, and Andreja felt the pain subside.

Apitherapy with deep roots

Apitherapy is not a new trend in Slovenia. It is a tradition with deep roots. Already in the 19th century, Slovenian beekeepers and herbalists began to speak of the healing power of bees. They referred not only to the bees' honey, but the entire beehive was seen as a living organism.

A particular person is often mentioned in this context: Dr. Filip Terč, a physician and herbalist from Maribor, Slovenia, who in the late 19th century began to document the therapeutic potential of bees. Through his observations, he laid the foundation for modern apitherapy. He saw how the air in the beehive, the vibrations from the buzzing, and the scents of propolis and wax could affect both body and mind.

Most bees in the world

Slovenia is a small and exquisitely beautiful country. So beautiful it takes your breath away. They have a strong tradition of protecting nature, and on this trip, I also gained a greater understanding of their deep tradition of beekeeping. We were told that they have the most bees in the world. I haven't fact-checked this :-), but I can attest that there are many beekeepers. It was a joy to see how Andreja handled her bees. With such love and warmth. Here, I am overwhelmed by how heavy the frame is and the effect of being so close to these warm bees. We had bees during my childhood, but I don't remember them generating so much warmth.

In Slovenia, bees are not just pollinators; they are part of the Slovenian national soul. Every small village has its own bee culture, and apitherapy houses have become a place for rest, stillness, and reconnection to nature's rhythm. Our host Andreja told us that today there are over 30 registered apitherapy houses in the country, many built by local beekeepers who want to carry on the tradition.

Andreja herself comes from a long tradition of beekeepers. It was not very common for women to be beekeepers. She worked as a teacher during her professional life, and now as a retiree, she often had groups of children visiting. I hope we can go back soon!

Lying on a cot above a beehive is a carefully preserved fragment of an ancient tradition. Would you like to try apitherapy?

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