The medicinal value of Apis, the scientific name for the honeybee, may date back to ancient Egypt, where bees were a symbol of power, wealth, and health. Egyptian doctors revered honey over all other healing substances, and extensive methods of beekeeping were already in practice in 4000 BC. It is not the honey but the bee itself, however, that is used in homeopathic medicine. This remedy is made from the body of the honeybee; it is used to treat those patients whose ailments are accompanied by symptoms similar to the results of a bee sting, such as redness and swelling, and also patients who express behavior considered beelike, such as restlessness or irritability. To prepare this remedy, the entire live honeybee is crushed and highly diluted by mixing it into a water-and-alcohol base. Apis is used for skin complaints, such as hives (urticaria), bites, and stings, in which the skin becomes swollen, itchy, or burning, and sensitive to touch. It is given for urinary tract infections, such as cystitis, where there is burning, stinging pain on passing urine, and for urine retention. Edema (fluid retention in the body tissues) and allergic conditions in the eyes, mouth, and throat (such as watery swellings on the eyelids or in the mouth that spread to the throat and obstruct breathing) are helped by Apis. It is also good for fever with a lack of thirst and dry, sensitive skin, a sore throat, and headaches where the head feels hot with stabbing pain. Apis is given for conditions that affect the lining of the joints, chest, and abdomen, for example, arthritis, pleurisy, and peritonitis.