Royal Jelly
- Royal jelly is a milky secretion produced by worker honey bees. It typically contains about 60% to 70% water, 12% to 15% proteins, 10% to 16% sugar, 3% to 6% fats, and 2% to 3% vitamins, salts, and amino acids. Its composition varies depending on geography and climate. This product gets its name from the fact that bees use it for the development and nurturing of queen bees. Some people use royal jelly as medicine. Don’t confuse royal jelly with bee pollen or bee venom.
Contents
Uses
- Royal jelly is used for asthma, hay fever, liver disease, pancreatitis, sleep troubles (insomnia), premenstrual syndrome (PMS), stomach ulcers, kidney disease, bone fractures, menopausal symptoms, skin disorders, and high cholesterol. It is also used as a general health tonic, for fighting the effects of aging, and for boosting the immune system.
- Some people apply royal jelly directly to the skin as a tonic or to the scalp to encourage hair growth.
Benefits
- There is very little scientific information available about the effects of royal jelly in people. In animals, royal jelly seems to have some activity against tumors and the development of “hardening of the arteries.”
Cautions
- Royal jelly is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth appropriately. A specific product containing a combination of royal jelly, bee pollen extract, and bee pollen plus pistol extract (Femal by Natumin Pharma) has been used safely for up to 2 months. Another combination product containing royal jelly and flower pollen (Melbrosia) has been used safely for up to 3 months. Royal jelly might cause serious allergic reactions including asthma, swelling of the throat, and death. Rarely, it might cause the colon to bleed, accompanied by stomach pain and bloody diarrhea.
- Royal jelly is also POSSIBLY SAFE when applied to the skin appropriately. However, it has caused inflammation and allergic rash when applied to the scalp.
- Children: Royal jelly is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth for up to 6 months.
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of using royal jelly if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
- Asthma or allergies: Don’t use royal jelly if you have asthma or allergies to bee products. It could cause some serious reactions, even death.
- Inflamed skin (dermatitis): Royal jelly might make dermatitis worse.
- Low blood pressure: Royal jelly might lower blood pressure. If your blood pressure is already low, taking royal jelly might make it drop too much.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination:
- Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with ROYAL JELLY: Royal jelly might increase the effects of warfarin (Coumadin). Taking royal jelly with warfarin (Coumadin) might result in an increased chance of bruising or bleeding.
Other Names
Apis mellifera, Bee Saliva, Bee Spit, Gelée Royale, Honey Bee Milk, Honey Bee’s Milk, Jalea Real, Lait des Abeilles, Royal Bee Jelly.
References
Source: WebMD, “Royal Jelly”, www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/