Royal jelly

Related Terms

10-Hydroxy-2-decenoic acid, amino acids, apilak, apisin, B vitamins, bee royal jelly, bee saliva, bee spit, bidro, biotin, carbohydrates, dipeptide YY, DNA, enzymes, flavonoids, gel?e royale (French), gelatin, glycoprotein, honey bee milk, honey bee's milk, honeybee royal jelly, honeybee royal jelly-derived collagen production-promoting factor, honeybees (Apis mellifera), hormones, inositol, jalea real (Spanish), jelleines, lait des abeilles (French), lipids, lyophilized royal mletsitse, major royal jelly protein 3, MEL 174 (final water extract of RJ), MEL 247 (dry powder of RJ), minerals, natural royal jelly. neopterin, organic acid glycosides (monoglucosides of 10-hydroxy-2E-decenoic and 10-hydroxydecanoic acids), peptides, protein, RNA, royal bee jelly, royalisin, sterols (including (24Z)-stigmasta-5,24(28)-dien-3beta-ol-7-one, (24Z)-stigmasta-5,24(28)-diene-3beta,7beta-diol, (24Z)-stigmasta-5,24(28)-diene-3beta,7alpha-diol, and (24Z)-stigmast-24(28)-ene-3beta,5alpha,6beta-triol), vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E.
Combination products: Pedyphar? (natural royal jelly and panthenol in an ointment base), Melbrosia? (pollen, perga [fermented pollen], hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, lyophilized royal mletsitse [royal jelly], acerola extract), Lady 4 (evening primrose oil, damiana, ginseng, royal jelly).

Background

Royal jelly is a substance that is made in the glands of young nurse worker bees (Apis mellifera). It is used to feed their queen bee and expand her life span over that of other bees. Royal jelly is a milky white liquid that contains many nutrients, including protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Royal jelly is often used to improve general health. It has also been used to treat stomach and hormonal problems, as well as to reduce symptoms of aging and improve mood. Royal jelly has been used to decrease inflammation, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. It can sometimes be found in cosmetic products for skin problems.
There is a lack of evidence supporting the use of royal jelly for any medical condition.
Royal jelly should be avoided in people who have asthma or any existing allergies, due to the high risk of an allergic reaction.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Some evidence suggests that an ointment containing royal jelly may help heal diabetic foot ulcers. More research on the effects of royal jelly alone is needed.

 C


Some evidence suggests that an ointment containing royal jelly may help heal diabetic foot ulcers. More research on the effects of royal jelly alone is needed.

 C


Although it has not been well studied in humans, animal research suggests that the use of royal jelly combined with other agents may help improve exercise performance. More research is needed.

 C


Although it has not been well studied in humans, animal research suggests that the use of royal jelly combined with other agents may help improve exercise performance. More research is needed.

 C


Early research suggests that royal jelly may reduce cholesterol levels. However, available studies are of poor quality, and the findings are still unclear. More well-designed research is needed before firm conclusions can be made.

 C


Early research suggests that royal jelly may reduce cholesterol levels. However, available studies are of poor quality, and the findings are still unclear. More well-designed research is needed before firm conclusions can be made.

 C


Some evidence suggests that applying Egyptian bee honey and royal jelly to the vagina may improve pregnancy rates in women undergoing artificial insemination due to their partners' infertility. Further research is needed on the effects of royal jelly alone.

 C


Some evidence suggests that applying Egyptian bee honey and royal jelly to the vagina may improve pregnancy rates in women undergoing artificial insemination due to their partners' infertility. Further research is needed on the effects of royal jelly alone.

 C


Early research suggests that herbal products containing royal jelly may improve menopause symptoms. Menopausal women who used Melbrosia? reported reduced discomfort. More research is needed on the effect of royal jelly alone.

 C


Early research suggests that herbal products containing royal jelly may improve menopause symptoms. Menopausal women who used Melbrosia? reported reduced discomfort. More research is needed on the effect of royal jelly alone.

 C


Research suggests that Bidro, a royal jelly product, may lack effect on hay fever prevention or treatment in children. Severe allergic reaction to royal jelly has been shown in numerous reports. More study on the safety of royal jelly is needed.

 D


Research suggests that Bidro, a royal jelly product, may lack effect on hay fever prevention or treatment in children. Severe allergic reaction to royal jelly has been shown in numerous reports. More study on the safety of royal jelly is needed.

 D
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
Some sources report that a small spoonful of royal jelly may be taken fresh daily.
To treat high cholesterol, 30-150 milligrams of royal jelly has been taken by mouth daily for 4-6 weeks. A dose of 30 milligrams of royal jelly has been placed under the tongue. A dose of 10 grams of refrigerated royal jelly has been taken by mouth daily for 14 days. Doses of 10-100 milligrams of royal jelly have been injected daily for 3-11 weeks.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Royal jelly may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Royal jelly may affect insulin levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may affect insulin or blood sugar levels. People taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Royal jelly may cause low blood pressure. Caution is advised in people taking drugs that lower blood pressure.
Royal jelly may also interact with agents that may affect blood vessel width, agents that may affect the nervous system, agents that may improve exercise performance, agents that may protect against radiation, agents that may protect the liver, agents that may treat abnormal heart rhythms, agents that may treat heart disorders, agents that may treat lung disorders, agents that may treat mental disorders, antiallergy agents, antibiotics, anticancer agents, anti-inflammatories, cholesterol-lowering agents, corticoids, eye agents, growth agents, hormonal agents, immune agents, menopausal agents, skin agents, stomach agents, warfarin, and wound-healing agents.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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