In May 2025, I had the privilege of attending a truly transformational course in Romania for Advanced Apitherapy — the Intensive Apitherapy Course & Workshops led by the globally recognised Dr. Ștefan Stângaciu. Held in the tranquil village of Mereni-Conțești in Dâmbovița County, the course gathered practitioners, beekeepers, and health advocates from across the world to deepen their understanding of the healing power of the hive.
Apitherapy — the use of bee products for therapeutic purposes — has long been respected in Eastern Europe, but in recent years, it’s gaining global attention for its natural, sustainable, and scientifically backed benefits. As someone passionate about both bees and wellness, this course was a vital step in my journey to integrate apitherapy into our offerings at The Good Life Wales and Brecon Beecombs.
Why Train in Romania?
Romania is a global hub for apitherapy. It is one of the few countries where apitherapy is formally studied, practiced, and integrated with modern medicine. At the centre of this movement is Dr. Ștefan Stângaciu, a pioneering physician and president of Apitherapy Consulting & Trading International.
Dr. Stângaciu brings together the precision of medical science, the wisdom of traditional healing, and an extraordinary respect for bees and nature. His teaching combines decades of research with practical applications, helping participants understand not just what apitherapy is, but how to implement it ethically, safely, and effectively.
Course Highlights: A Deep Dive Into Bee Medicine
Spanning 34 hours over five intensive days, the course was a masterclass in every facet of apitherapy — from bee biology to hands-on product preparation and therapeutic applications.
Day 1: Foundations in Medicinal Beekeeping
- Introduction to Api-Phyto-Aromatherapy – the synergy between bee products, medicinal plants, and essential oils.
- Understanding bee biology and its direct relationship to the therapeutic quality of hive products.
- On-site visit to Dr. Stângaciu’s apiary to explore how to manage a medicinal beekeeping operation.
- Deep dives into the composition, properties, uses, and limits of each key bee product, including honey, pollen, propolis, and royal jelly.
Day 2: Preparing and Administering Bee Products
- How to extract and apply bee products: bee bread, bee venom, floral honey, honeydew honey, royal jelly, beeswax, and more.
- Creating tinctures, creams, suppositories, eye drops, and even therapeutic propolis-honey-pollen chocolate.
- Techniques for cold extraction in oils – preserving the active principles of propolis and pollen for natural skincare and healing.
Day 3: Advanced Techniques and Bee Venom Therapy
- Use of 0.22-micron syringe filters to create micro-filtered, sterile extracts.
- Safe methods for administering bee stings without harming the bees – a critical skill for ethical venom therapy.
- Formulating custom Apitherapy Cocktails – blends tailored to the individual needs of clients.
Day 4: Advanced Apitherapy Meets Acupressure
- Exploring the practice of acupressure with honey, propolis, and bee venom – combining tactile therapy with bioactive compounds.
- Introduction to Dr. Stângaciu’s “H-appy Cell Principle” – a framework for diagnosis and energetic healing based on the vibrational properties of bee products.
Day 5: From Theory to Practice
- Building tailored Apitherapy protocols for a wide range of health conditions.
- How to ethically sell apitherapy-grade hive products as a beekeeper.
- Advice on launching an Apitherapy Spa, Clinic, or Online Shop – complete with ethical marketing and patient-focused strategies.
Learning from a Master: The Legacy of Dr. Ștefan Stângaciu
Dr. Stângaciu’s presence is what made this course exceptional. His knowledge in advanced is encyclopaedic, yet his teaching is warm, engaging, and deeply rooted in compassion — not just for patients, but for the bees themselves.
He emphasised:
- Sustainable and respectful hive management.
- Scientific rigour behind every treatment protocol.
- A philosophy of care that sees the hive as a healing ecosystem.
His work represents the future of integrative medicine — blending tradition, sustainability, and evidence-based natural health.
What This Means for Brecon Beecombs & The Good Life Wales
Armed with new skills, methods, and a fresh wave of inspiration, I’ll be integrating apitherapy into our evolving Nurture with Nature programme in the Brecon Beacons.
While this post is focused solely on the course content and not the commercial treatments, what I learned in Romania is already shaping our path forward — with educational offerings, ethical bee product development, and gentle, non-invasive therapies all inspired by Dr. Stângaciu’s approach.
Final Thoughts
My time in Romania reaffirmed a simple but powerful truth: the beehive is one of nature’s greatest medicine chests. When we work in harmony with the bees — guided by science, respect, and ancient wisdom — we unlock a world of healing potential.
To Dr. Stângaciu, I extend my deepest thanks. And to those of you curious about apitherapy, whether as a practice or a lifestyle, I look forward to sharing more with you very soon.