I have been getting stung on my hands for 50+ years (never wear gloves) and I can see no benefit. My hands still hurt. Turmeric helps. I drink turmeric tea. Devils Club oil works the best on my knees, not so much on my hands. Dr told me I should not take Ibuprofen ever again and the other over the counters seem to do little good for me.

I eat two tablespoons of chia and three of ground flaxseed every morning. Another very good protein source for arthritis is lentils and chick peas or sometimes called garbanzo beans. Both work well in my diabetic diet and help to rebuild damage from oxidative stress in your whole body. Olive oil….the real stuff, is very helpful too, but be careful, there are lots of shisters that are blending seed oils with olive oil to jip the public!

Just a guess but you probably didn't have arthritis back when you started so when you did any positive effects likey would not have been noticed untill they got worse. Like taking asprin when your not hurt then it wont work when you do. Just a guess though. 50 years of bee keeping is 5 years longer than I have been alive.. That's a lot of experience and bees for sure.