Royal jelly, a creamy, milky-white substance, is secreted by worker nurse bees to nourish the queen bee throughout her life, starting from her larval stage. This exclusive diet fuels her growth and development, influencing her juvenile hormones and enabling her to mature fully. Unlike worker bees, who live for only a few weeks, a queen bee, sustained by royal jelly, can live for several years.
Historically, beekeeping dates back to ancient Egypt around 5,500 B.C., and royal jelly has been a staple in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Today, it continues to be valued for its potential health benefits.
Royal jelly has been traditionally used as a general health tonic and for specific ailments. Proponents claim it can alleviate heart, liver, kidney, digestive, and skin disorders, as well as address high cholesterol, aging signs, arthritis pain, multiple sclerosis progression, weakened immunity, sexual performance, hair growth, and even bone fractures. Many users report improved stamina, energy levels, and overall well-being. Melbrosia, a blend of royal jelly and bee pollen, is a popular remedy among menopausal women for managing hot flashes and related symptoms.
While the belief that royal jelly possesses significant rejuvenating and anti-aging properties in humans hasn’t been definitively proven scientifically, it does hold potential medical value.
Royal jelly’s composition is primarily water, but it also contains proteins, fats, sugars, and trace elements. Certain proteins and sugars present exhibit antibacterial or antimicrobial activity. Additionally, royal jelly contains vitamins, minerals, and phytosterols like Neopterin, a chemical also found in humans and believed to play a role in immune function. According to PDR Health, royal jelly may possess hypolipidemic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative properties. Preliminary research suggests potential antibiotic, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, and anti-cancer effects.
As a supplement, royal jelly is available in tablets, capsules, and various food products like chocolates, fruit bars, and antioxidant drinks. It’s also a common ingredient in personal care items such as lip balms and skin creams.
Although royal jelly supplements and products are widely accessible, pregnant and nursing women, as well as individuals with allergies or sensitivities to its components, should avoid them. Potential side effects include rashes, itching, asthma attacks, bronchospasms, and, in rare cases, anaphylaxis and death.
As with many health supplements, unsubstantiated claims often surround royal jelly. While definitive studies confirming its benefits are still lacking, emerging research shows promise and warrants further investigation.