Breathing with the bees

New Bee-Air Therapy comes to Lovell

When I first heard about a new therapy in Lovell that involves breathing “bee air,” I have to admit I was skeptical.

The idea of intentionally inhaling air from a beehive sounded like something every instinct and survival mechanism in my body should reject. Images of angry bees, buzzing swarms and unexpected allergic reactions immediately came to mind.

But after visiting the new facility, the latest project of the Zeller family, Queen Bee Gardens and longtime beekeeper Gene Zeller, I came away impressed.

What I found was nothing like I had imagined. Rather than a rustic beekeeping shed, the small therapy room felt clean, organized, and almost clinical. Visitors never come into direct contact with the bees. Instead, air from active honeybee colonies is drawn through a filtration system and delivered through a mask, allowing people to breathe air that has circulated through the hive.

The concept is known as bee-air therapy, or apitherapy. While relatively uncommon in the United States, it has gained a following in several European countries, particularly Slovenia, Romania and Germany. Supporters believe the air inside a healthy hive contains tiny amounts of honey, propolis, beeswax, pollen, nectar and other natural compounds that may provide health benefits when inhaled.

Gene first became interested in the idea in 2018 after hearing about it at a beekeeping conference in Grand Junction, Colorado.

“I knew nothing about it,” Zeller said. “Somebody was there who told us about it, and I thought it was interesting.”

Plans to travel and learn more were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the idea stayed with him. Instead of visiting other facilities, Zeller began researching the concept and eventually designed and built his own system.

The therapy room sits alongside several active honeybee colonies. Air from the hives is pulled through tubing by a nebulizer-style pump and delivered to visitors through a face mask. The setup allows people to experience the hive environment without being exposed to the bees themselves.

During my visit, I spent a few minutes breathing the air. To my surprise, it was pleasant. The scent was sweet and earthy, carrying hints of honey, wax, and the unmistakable smell of a beehive. It took a moment to get used to, but it was far from the overwhelming experience I had expected.

Zeller is careful not to make grand medical claims, but he has collected information from practitioners in Europe who report positive results for a variety of respiratory conditions. He is particularly interested in reports suggesting that hive air may help support the immune system and reduce stress and anxiety.

Medical researchers remain cautious. While some small studies and anecdotal reports suggest potential benefits, bee-air therapy has not yet been widely studied in large clinical trials. Health experts generally agree that more research is needed before definitive conclusions can be made about its effectiveness.

Still, many complementary therapies began with observations and experiences long before researchers understood how they worked.

For Zeller, part of the interest is personal. Having spent most of his life around bees, he wonders whether constant exposure to hive environments may have contributed to his own health.

“When I was in school, I almost never missed a day,” he said. “I always thought I just had good genetics. Then I started wondering if maybe it wasn’t just genetics.”

The facility is designed for repeat visits. Zeller recommends a series of sessions rather than a single experience, following practices commonly used in Europe. Visitors purchase their own mask and schedule sessions lasting about 30 minutes.

Whether bee-air therapy ultimately proves to be a major health breakthrough or simply another wellness option, it is certainly one of the most unusual new offerings to appear in Lovell.

And if nothing else, it challenged one reporter’s assumptions.

I arrived expecting something that felt risky and unconventional. Instead, I found a thoughtfully designed facility, a passionate local beekeeper and an experience that was surprisingly relaxing.

Sometimes the best stories begin when we are willing to take a deep breath and try something new. 

If you are interested in trying bee-air therapy for yourselves, contact Gene or Virginia Zeller or stop by the Queen Bee Gardens store on Main Street in Lovell for more information.