Why does Gwyneth Paltrow like to get stung by bees?

We can always trust Gwyneth Paltrow to introduce us to a new beauty regime or superfood we’ve never heard of and her most recent interview with the New York Times does all that and more. In the article, Gwyneth dishes on her favorite mascara, sunscreen and shampoo and then mentions a treatment she has done that involves . . . bee stings?

She told the New York Times:

So we did.

Apitherapy is an all-encompassing term referring to “the medical use of the products of the honey bee hive often used with essential oils,” according to Apitherapy.org. That means it includes honey, pollen, propolis, royal jelly, bee venom, bee bread and beeswax. Apitherapy.com, another apitherapy site, goes more in-depth, explaining that bee venom is often used as a form of acupuncture to treat any type of issue associated with the applicable acupuncture points.

While Gwyneth said she tried bee stings to get rid of inflammation and scarring, the practice also claims to be effective in treating more serious diseases and conditions, such as MS and arthritis. While one study found bee stings to be effective in treating arthritis, but the idea that it has any effect on MS has been widely debunked, according to Neurology.com:

It’s totally possible that bee stings, and apitherapy in general, are something that Gwyneth Paltrow feels makes a difference for her health. Alternative medicine treatments are totally your choice, and as with anything you put on or into your body, it’s important to talk to your doctors and do your research so you can make an informed decision. But in case you were wondering, getting stung by bees is thing. The jury is still out, though, whether it’s worth all the buzz.