Six Legged Medicines-A Review

Insects and insect derived products have been extensively used in various medications practiced worldwide to cure different types of ailments. For example, honey possesses antibacterial and antiinflammatory properties and is used to cure sore throat, minor burns, obesity, blood purification, infertility, arthritis etc. Maggot therapy is used for healing diabetic wounds while bee and ant venom are used in the treatment of arthritis. Cantharidin, obtained from blister beetle, cures warts and even cancer. Cockroach, one of the most scared house hold pest is a medicine for asthma and cough. No doubt, the cheap, plentiful arthropods can be the future of medicine.