Quality standards for medicinal uses of Meliponinae honey in Guatemala, Mexico and Venezuela

Beekeeping with stingless bees (meliponiculture) is practiced in Guatemala, Mexico and Venezuela. In this article we review the medicinal uses of stingless bee honeys in these countries. We include honeys from 23 stingless bee species, review their use in the treatment of ocular cataracts and pterygium, fatigue, gastritis, ulcers, lung weakness, coughs, wounds and bruises; their use as laxatives and fertility enhancers, and their nutritional value. A proposal on quality standards for stingless bee honey is considered a contribution for further regulations.