Exploring Apitherapy in Romania with Dr. Stefan Stângaciu
In May 2025, I travelled from the Brecon Beacons to the heart of Romania’s Carpathian Mountains to attend an intensive apitherapy course with one of the world’s foremost experts in the field – Dr. Stefan Stângaciu. As a passionate beekeeper and natural wellness advocate, this opportunity marked a defining chapter in my journey to bring holistic, bee-based healing to our businesses at The Good Life Wales and Brecon Beecombs. Here’s how I am hoping to practice Apitherapy in the Brecon Beacons.
What I discovered in Romania wasn’t just a deeper knowledge of bee medicine – it was a profound reconnection with nature’s healing intelligence and the sheer versatility of the beehive. Now back in Wales, I’m excited to share the treatments and experiences we’ll soon be offering through our expanding Nurture with Nature programme.
Why Romania?
Romania may not be the first place people associate with cutting-edge wellness, but for those in the know, it is the spiritual and scientific home of Apitherapy. This isn’t a fringe practice in Eastern Europe – it’s a state-recognised field with doctors, hospitals, and even dedicated apitherapy resorts.
Dr. Stefan Stângaciu, a medical doctor and founder of the International Apitherapy Society, has been championing the healing power of bees for over three decades. His approach blends traditional Romanian herbalism, Western medical science, and apicultural expertise to create a truly integrated form of healing.
It was this combination – science, soul, and sustainability – that drew me in. My aim? To bring back something authentic and evidence-based that could complement the beekeeping education and nature immersion we already offer in the Brecon Beacons.
The Course: Advanced Apitherapy in Practice
The course was hosted just outside Bucharest, but the real classroom was the hive. Over six immersive days, we explored both theoretical and hands-on modules covering a wide array of bee products and their medical applications.
Key areas of study included:
- Honey Therapy – Beyond a superfood, honey is used medicinally in wound healing, gut health, and even as a delivery medium for herbs and essential oils.
- Pollen and Bee Bread – Natural multivitamins used to restore energy, balance hormones, and support immune health.
- Propolis – A natural antibiotic and antiviral resin that bees use to disinfect the hive. We studied tincture preparation and applications in dental, skin, and respiratory health.
- Royal Jelly – The powerhouse secretion used to nourish queen bees. In humans, it’s linked to hormonal balance, brain function, and longevity.
- Bee Venom Therapy (BVT) – A complex yet compelling practice used to treat conditions such as arthritis, MS, and chronic pain. We learned how to apply it safely using live bees and microdosing techniques.
- Bee Air Therapy – Perhaps the most intriguing – inhaling air directly from the hive for respiratory health, stress reduction, and immune support.
Dr. Stângaciu is a generous teacher – calm, curious, and deeply respectful of the bees. Every lesson emphasised sustainability, respect for the hive, and patient-centred care. The bees, we were reminded, are not a product – they are partners.
Inspirations for The Good Life & Brecon Beecombs
Back home in the lush valleys of the Brecon Beacons, I’ve come away not just with practical knowledge and techniques, but with a new vision for how apitherapy can complement the deeper ethos of what we’re creating here.
We’re not a spa. We’re not a clinic. But what we are is a sanctuary – a place where nature, wellness, and education intertwine. Apitherapy fits into this beautifully.
Here’s what’s coming soon as part of our Nurture with Nature programme and Brecon Beecombs offering:
1. Bee Air Therapy Cabin
Inspired by the rustic hive-inhalation rooms I visited in Romania, we’re currently converting a caravan-style hut nestled in our woodland into a Bee Air Therapy Cabin. This will allow guests to recline and breathe in filtered, warm hive air – rich in essential oils, propolis particles, and calming pheromones.
This treatment is particularly effective for asthma, seasonal allergies, and even long-COVID fatigue – but it’s also deeply relaxing for those needing to unwind.
2. Apitherapy Taster Sessions for Guests
An additional introduction of Apitherapy in the Brecon Beacons will be introducing gentle introductory apitherapy sessions for those staying in our cottages. These may include:
- Propolis-infused balms and sprays for immune support
- Honey massage techniques (especially good for stress and muscle tension)
- Bee pollen tastings paired with herbal teas
- Facial treatments using honey and royal jelly blends
The goal isn’t to overwhelm guests with science – it’s to reawaken their connection to natural remedies and showcase the wonder of bees as healers.
3. Educational Workshops and Courses
Our beekeeping weekends will soon be expanded to include apitherapy education days, where guests can:
- Learn the medicinal uses of each bee product
- Make their own propolis tincture or bee balm
- Taste and compare different honeys for therapeutic use
- Discover sustainable harvesting practices that protect the colony
These sessions are ideal for natural health enthusiasts, aspiring beekeepers, and anyone seeking low-intervention alternatives for common health issues.
4. Therapeutic Product Line (Coming Soon)
Following Romanian methods EU & UK safety standards, we’ll soon begin producing a line of small-batch apitherapy products under the Brecon Beecombs label. These may include:
- Raw honey infused with herbs (e.g., thyme for coughs, lavender for sleep)
- Propolis throat sprays
- Bee pollen jars with recipe cards
- Honey and beeswax skincare products
Each product will come with an educational note – not just what it is, but why it’s useful and how to use it safely.
Why Apitherapy Matters Now
We’re living in an era where natural health is no longer just a ‘nice idea’ – it’s a necessity. Antibiotic resistance, chronic stress, auto-immune conditions, and the disconnection from nature are all on the rise. Apitherapy offers a gentle, effective, and sustainable answer.
The bees teach us balance – not just in our ecosystems, but in our lifestyles. They work in harmony, they nourish the whole, and they thrive in environments where diversity and calm prevail.
By bringing apitherapy to the Brecon Beacons, we’re not just offering treatments – we’re offering a philosophy of healing.
Final Thoughts
My trip to Romania was transformative. I return not just better informed, but re-inspired. Dr. Stângaciu’s teachings have reminded me that the answers to many of our modern ailments already exist in the natural world – we simply need to relearn how to listen.
At The Good Life Wales and Brecon Beecombs, our mission has always been to help people reconnect – with themselves, with the land, and with the bees. Apitherapy is the next natural step in that journey.
Whether you’re visiting us for a weekend retreat, a woodland walk, or a therapeutic experience, I hope you’ll feel some of the magic I found in the Romanian hills – where the bees truly do whisper secrets of healing in the air. We hope to develop many remedies using Apitherapy in the Brecon Beacons and will keep you posted here.