The American Apitherapy Society

10/16/2026

🍯 SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT: Dr. Ferhat Ozturk 🐝

How do we identify the honeys with the greatest therapeutic potential? 🔬

Join us for “Medical Grade Honeys of the US,” where Dr. Ferhat Ozturk, Associate Professor of Biology, Project Director of the HONEY Pathway, and Board Member of the American Apitherapy Society, explores the science behind honey’s bioactivity and its potential role in healthcare.

🧪 Discover what gives honey its bioactivity, how medical-grade honey differs from raw and commercial honey, and what research tells us about its applications in wound healing, burn care, and infection management. The presentation will also explore testing, standardization, and the potential of U.S.-produced honeys.

📅 November 6–8, 2026
📍 Burlington, Vermont
🐝 2026 Charles Mraz Apitherapy Course & Conference
Hive as Healer: Bee Medicine, Science, and Health

🎟️ IN-PERSON TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT! But you can still join us virtually with the Saturday online option and experience the science and education from wherever you are.

✨ Earn up to 8.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ through the conference.

🔗 Explore virtual registration and conference details:
https://www.apitherapy.org/cmacc-2026

10/16/2026

🐝🔬 PROPOLIS: The Science Behind the “Bee Glue”! 🌿

Did you know honey bees use plant resins to create propolis, a complex mixture of plant-derived compounds, beeswax, and other materials? They use it to seal gaps and coat interior surfaces of their hives (Simone-Finstrom & Spivak, 2010).

🧪 What makes propolis scientifically fascinating?

🌿 Complex chemistry: Propolis contains flavonoids, phenolic acids, and other bioactive compounds. Its chemical composition varies depending on botanical source and geography (Pasupuleti et al., 2017).

🦠 Antimicrobial research: Laboratory studies have investigated propolis extracts for activity against various microorganisms, although results depend on the sample, extraction method, and organism studied (Pasupuleti et al., 2017).

🐝 Social immunity: Propolis may help protect honey bee colonies by reducing microbial growth and exposure within the hive (Simone-Finstrom & Spivak, 2010).

✨ FUN FACT: Honey bees naturally coat the inside walls of tree-cavity nests with propolis, forming what researchers call a propolis envelope! This resinous barrier is part of the colony’s natural defense system (Simone-Finstrom & Spivak, 2010).

🔬 Why this matters: Because propolis varies chemically, researchers must characterize individual samples carefully. Laboratory findings also do not automatically establish clinical effectiveness in humans.

📚 References

Pasupuleti, V. R., Sammugam, L., Ramesh, N., & Gan, S. H. (2017). Honey, propolis, and royal jelly: A comprehensive review of their biological actions and health benefits. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2017, Article 1259510. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/1259510

Simone-Finstrom, M., & Spivak, M. (2010). Propolis and bee health: The natural history and significance of resin use by honey bees. Apidologie, 41, 295–311. https://doi.org/10.1051/apido/2010016

🐝 The hive is more than a home—it’s a fascinating starting point for natural products research!

10/10/2026

🐝 The Therapeutic Hive: Beekeeping as a Pathway to Health, Connection & Well-Being

We’re excited to welcome Valerie Carter, Recreation Therapist with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, to CMACC 2026.

Valerie will explore how purposeful engagement with honey bees and the hive can be incorporated into therapeutic and wellness programming, drawing from the VA HIVES program and the SARE-supported Bee Calm Bee Well work.

Her presentation will cover:

🐝 Designing therapeutic beekeeping programs
♿ Accessibility and adaptive equipment
🛡️ Safety considerations
🤝 Connection, meaningful activity, and well-being
🌿 Practical approaches for creating welcoming and sustainable therapeutic apiary experiences

📍 Burlington, Vermont
📅 November 6–8, 2026
💻 Saturday virtual attendance still available

👉 Get your virtual ticket:
https://www.apitherapy.org/cmacc-2026

10/08/2026

🐝 From Hive to Human: Healthy Bees Mean a Healthier You

We’re excited to have Dr. Jörg Mayer join us for CMACC 2026 to explore the important connection between honey bee health, hive management, and human health.

His presentation will look at how unnecessary antibiotic use in beekeeping can affect colony health, the bee microbiome, disease susceptibility, and antibiotic resistance—and the potential role of probiotics and healthier hive management practices as alternatives.
A fascinating One Health perspective on why keeping our bees healthy matters far beyond the hive.

🐝 Dr. Jörg Mayer
Full Professor, Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery
University of Georgia Veterinary College
American Apitherapy Society Board Member

📍 Burlington, Vermont
📅 November 6–8, 2026
💻 Saturday virtual attendance still available

👉 Get your virtual ticket:
https://www.apitherapy.org/cmacc-2026

10/04/2026

🐝 This is exciting to see!

Honey bee colonies have been declining for the past two decades, and veterinary students at the University of Georgia are now getting hands-on experience learning about honey bee health through a first-of-its-kind program.

Bringing veterinary medicine into honey bee health is an important step forward. 🐝🩺

The future of honey bee health needs beekeepers, veterinarians, researchers, and educators working together.

Take a look at this great TODAY segment! 👇

https://www.today.com/video/meet-veterinary-students-working-to-save-bees-1-hive-at-a-time-270914117828

Honeybee colonies have been declining for the past two decades, and now veterinary students at the University of Georgia are working to save them as part of a first-of-its-kind initiative. Reporting for TODAY, NBC’s Anne Thompson shares a closer look at this buzzy program, and speaks to students a...

10/02/2026

JOIN US VIRTUALLY! 🐝

We are excited to announce that all in-person spots for the 2026 Charles Mraz Apitherapy Course & Conference in Burlington, Vermont are officially SOLD OUT!

Thank you to everyone who registered. We look forward to seeing you in November! 🐝💛

If you weren’t able to get an in-person spot, you can still join us virtually!

💻 SATURDAY-ONLY VIRTUAL OPTION — $250

Join us virtually for Saturday’s sessions and have the opportunity to earn up to 8.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, with CME available for DO and MD.

(You do not have to be a physician or healthcare professional to attend, and you do not have to earn CME credits. The virtual option is open to anyone who wants to learn and participate in Saturday’s sessions.)

🍯 Hive as Healer: Bee Medicine, Science, and Health
📍 Burlington, Vermont
📅 November 6–8, 2026
💻 Saturday virtual attendance available

👉 Get your virtual ticket:
https://www.apitherapy.org/cmacc-2026

Join the American Apitherapy Society for the 2026 Charles Mraz Conference in Burlington, VT, Nov 6-8. Explore the "Hive as Healer" and register today!

09/24/2026

🐝 Join us in Burlington, Vermont! 🍁

The American Apitherapy Society invites you to the 2026 Charles Mraz Apitherapy Course & Conference, November 6–8, 2026, at Hotel Champlain.

Connect with researchers, healthcare professionals, and others interested in the growing field of honey bee products and human health.

✨ CME accreditation available for MDs and DOs
📚 Earn up to 8 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for Saturday attendance
🏨 Exclusive conference hotel rate: $140/night + tax through October 15
💻 In-person and Saturday-only virtual registration available

📅 November 6–8, 2026
📍 Burlington, Vermont

View the full schedule, speakers, registration options, and conference details:
apitherapy.org/cmacc-2026

Join the American Apitherapy Society for the 2026 Charles Mraz Conference in Burlington, VT, Nov 6-8. Explore the "Hive as Healer" and register today!

09/17/2026

THE POWER OF PODMORE: Natural Medicine & Preparation Techniques

Podmore is the traditional term for deceased honey bees collected from the hive. Although it may seem like an unusual hive product, bee podmore has a long history of traditional use in natural medicine.

Join Emily Mueller, Apitherapist, M.S., MCHM, at CMACC 2026 as she explores the history and traditional uses of podmore, how it is prepared, potential applications, and important safety considerations.

📍 Burlington, Vermont
📅 November 6–8, 2026

🐝 Register: apitherapy.org/cmacc-2026

09/15/2026

🐝 Join us at CMACC 2026! 🐝

Dr. Patrick Frattalone will present “Tick-Borne Infections: Trending Treatments”, exploring an integrative approach to Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections, including botanical medicine, herbal protocols, bee venom therapy, and supportive therapies.

📍 Burlington, Vermont
📅 November 6–8, 2026

Registration: https://www.apitherapy.org/cmacc-2026

Come learn, connect, and explore the evolving role of integrative approaches in tick-borne illness care!

09/04/2026

✨ Featured Speaker: Samantha Winship ✨

Join aesthetician, beekeeper, herbalist, and apitherapist Samantha Winship for API-Esthetics: The Power of the Hive in Modern Skincare at CMACC 2026!

🐝 Explore bee by-products in professional skincare
✨ Learn about skin health, treatment protocols, and ingredient selection
💆‍♀️ See a live facial demonstration incorporating bee products and aesthetic modalities

📍 Burlington, Vermont
📅 November 6–8, 2026

Come discover where apitherapy, aesthetics, and science meet! 🐝✨
Register here: https://www.apitherapy.org/cmacc-2026