Jill: I think the active ingredient in Adolf's is papain... It has the ability to break down enzyme causing suffering... There is/was an experimental treatment using pqapain on spinal disc ruptures...that it would dissolve the material that had been expelled from discs. If my memory doesn't fail me...I think papain comes from the pit of peaches or apricots or some such fruit My observation from trying meat tenderizer is the skin surrounding sting site is discolored and healing appears to be slowed down... Get the stinger out as soon as possible and grin and bear it without anything......If multiple stings....real booboo Take some benadryl....Watch for signs of anaphalatic shock.... If any signs of systemic reaction.....Use epipen and head for the emergency room......All beekeepers SHOULD have access to an epi-pen and now how to use it in case he himself suddenly needs it or one of his volunteer workers/friends, etc. begins to have a reaction....KNOW THE SIGNS! Bee Prepared! Sincerely, [log in to unmask] - Ken Adams