Honey bees are primarily used for the production of honey, beeswax, royal jelly, propolis, bee pollen and bee venom. In the last few decades, our understanding of the chemical composition of bee venom has progressed and numerous studies about the effects of bee venom and its components on human and animal health have been conducted. Bee venom consists of 88 % water, and dry matter represents a mixture of peptides, enzymes and low molecular weight compounds. The polypeptide melittin takes up the largest portion of dry matter (40-60 %). Bee venom has proven anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive properties and a beneficial effect when used as a treatment for inflammatory diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, tumors, pain, bacterial and viral diseases, allergic symptoms, as well as antioxidative effects. Pharmacological properties are expressed after applying the bee venom or its components, and their expression depends on both the way of application and the location of the application, and it is often applied at acupuncture points.