Congratulations to our colleague and best wishes for further success in her work!

 

Apitherapy (Latin: apis (bee) + Greek: therapeia (treatment)) is a method of treatment and prevention using products produced and collected by bees, such as honey, bee pitch, bee bread etc. G. Kasputė represents the LAA internationally in the Coalition for Traditional, Complementary and Integral Healthcare (TCIH), where representatives of the countries communicate on alternative medicine issues, make proposals and take decisions related to dissemination of information to the public.

 

In her PhD studies, Greta is designing electrochemical sensors that could be applied to the quantitative and qualitative analysis of the composition of apitherapeutic products, i.e. honey and propolis, which would help to solve problems of product standardisation. In addition, the PhD student's presentation on "Prospects for the Application of Electrochemical Sensors in Apitherapy", delivered at the LAA on 7 December, was considered innovative and successful.

 

 

 

"For me, this award is a recognition of my work in the field of alternative medicine. For the last two years I have been representing Lithuanian apitherapists in the TCIH. There, we meet every 3 months to discuss various issues, and we have also contributed to the development of a new medical strategy for 2025-2034, and organised trainings.

 

At the end of November, I also received a new certificate from EUROCAM, a European foundation, as I completed the Policy and advocacy training in this area. In addition, I have been researching essential oils and the effects of their components in vitro for 7 years and my latest research aims to integrate them into drug delivery systems. My work with plant materials has led me to the bees. They also collect honey from plant flowers. Another link between these fields is the need to address the same issues, namely the standardisation of products and the need for safety assessment," explains Greta.

 

The young scientist was invited by the LAA to join its ranks several years ago. At the association's annual conferences, the FTMC chemist gives a variety of presentations on alternative medicine and science translation (the process by which scientific research and its results are transformed into practical solutions, products, services or technologies). This year, G. Kasputė presented electrochemical sensors and their application in apitherapy.

 

 

 

"Apitherapy is a field that combines the relationship between nature and human, where a close relationship is established between bees and humans. Last year, I completed a course on apitherapy taught by Dr Stefan Stângaciu, Secretary General of the International Federation of Apitherapy. I learnt the subtleties of honey massage, apipuncture (treatment with bee stings) and the prescription of bee products. This immersed me even more in this sweet, fragrant and lively world of bees," says the chemist.

 

As a scientist, what is Greta's dream in this field?

 

"I want as many people as possible to be aware of the benefits of bee products and for science to provide as much data as possible on their effects on patients. I believe that bee products such as honey or propolis can be integrated into drug delivery systems, perhaps in combination with essential oils."