Royal jelly has long been known as a naturopathic remedy. The natural product is gaining increasing attention as people look for alternatives to chemical medicines. Although there are hardly any scientific studies that prove its effectiveness, many people still report the positive effects.
Royal Jelly – What is it?
Royal jelly is a food juice that honey bees use to feed their queen larvae. The mixture is produced from pollen and honey by the workers' sap and maxillary glands. This juice is given to the larvae for the first three months. You benefit from an enormous growth spurt. There is a widespread belief in society that this juice influences the development of queens. Therefore, royal jelly is also known as queen bee or queen bee juice. However, these theories have not been proven in recent studies.
How queens are superior to workers:
- greater body weight
- significantly higher life expectancy
- better performance
- lay more eggs
Royal jelly and propolis – differences and origin
Propolis is a bee resin that also has great healing properties
Both natural products are used as dietary supplements or in cosmetics and are said to far exceed the positive effects of honey. The substances have different tasks in the bee colony. While royal jelly is fed to larvae, propolis is used to seal cracks or to attach honeycombs.
| royal jelly | Propolis | |
|---|---|---|
| Common names | Queen Bee Juice | Bee resin |
| Function | Food juice | Putty |
| Consistency | honey-like | resinous |
| Origin | specially produced secretion | Plant juices and resin mixed with saliva |
| Effect | antibacterial, stress-reducing, blood sugar-lowering | antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral |
What is royal jelly good for?
Numerous people report the he alth effects that the natural product has on the organism. It is said to have a positive effect on the mind and strengthen the immune system. The feed juice can be used against numerous complaints. It is believed that royal jelly inhibits tumor growth and prevents the development of cancer. Royal jelly stimulates the appetite and balances hormones. It increases the levels of testosterone and estrogen and thus increases libido.
What royal jelly can do:
- Activate the body’s self-healing powers
- Relieve chronic digestive problems
- Reduce food intolerances
- Reduce menopausal symptoms
- Slow down the signs of aging
- Heal muscle tension, back pain, osteoarthritis and rheumatism
Ingredients
The main ingredients of the bee product are similar to flower pollen. The main ingredient in royal jelly is water. In addition, the feed juice contains carbohydrates, vitamins, protein, trace elements, fat and sugar. Other ingredients are only contained in low concentrations, but are still highly effective. These include antioxidant compounds such as flavonoids and phenols as well as the fatty acid 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid, which has so far only been detected in royal jelly. This fatty acid acts as a natural preservative.
Side effects and dangers
Although royal jelly is considered extremely he althy, it poses some dangers for sensitive or already ill people. The feed juice has a high allergenic potential. Certain proteins and amino acids are responsible for this. In rare cases, allergic or anaphylactic reactions may occur after ingestion. In individual cases, life-threatening situations can arise for hypersensitive people. In Australia, three deaths have been linked to royal jelly ingestion.
Possible complaints:
- allergic skin reactions or facial swelling
- Asthma attacks or an exacerbation of existing asthma
- Vomiting, diarrhea and drop in blood pressure
Experiences and tests
So far there are no major studies on the effects of royal jelly. Smaller studies have shown that a daily dose of just six grams of royal jelly can reduce bad LDL cholesterol levels. The good HDL cholesterol value and the triglyceride value remained almost unchanged.
In a trial with eight people suffering from diabetes, the diabetic ulcers either completely disappeared or improved significantly after regular intake of royal jelly. It has been proven that bees can significantly increase their life expectancy by consuming royal jelly.
Positive effects found in animal studies:
- Skin injuries heal significantly faster
- improved bone metabolism
- anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
- increases performance
Even if the positive effects in humans have not been proven - numerous people report significant improvements after taking royal jelly.
Where can I buy royal jelly?
You can usually find royal jelly in he alth food stores
Royal jelly is contained in numerous dietary supplements offered by DM or Rossmann. You can find nutritional supplements from more expensive brands in the pharmacy. If you are looking for regional products, you should look out for your nearest he alth food store. One provider of natural products is the Bergland brand. You can also buy royal jelly on Amazon. Pay close attention to the seller here, because the natural products on offer do not always keep what the manufacturers promise.
This is what you should pay attention to when buying
The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR for short) warns of the dangers that sensitive people in particular have to fear after taking royal jelly. Medicines and medicines must therefore be labeled with a warning. However, this information requirement does not apply to dietary supplements such as drinking ampoules. Since the positive effects have not been sufficiently proven, manufacturers are not allowed to advertise the he alth-promoting properties.
Keep your distance if you have previous illnesses
People who experience allergic reactions after bee or insect stings should not consume the product. This also applies to people who suffer from asthma. A sudden allergy attack can lead to life-threatening symptoms. If in doubt, you can get tested by a doctor.
Obtain information about origin
Before purchasing, you should find out from the manufacturer how the product was obtained and whether it was tested. According to the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center, royal jelly has tested positive several times for pyrrolizidine alkaloids. This substance is produced by plants to defend themselves against predators and can enter the bee product via flower pollen. Even in small quantities, the alkaloids can damage the human genome and cause cancer. The packaging usually does not provide any information as to whether the product has been tested for the plant substance.
Ecological production
Pay attention to the organic seal and only buy products from controlled and certified sources. Ecologically produced natural remedies are free of additives and are tested by independent institutes. Trustworthy providers make the analyzes available to the customer. The extraction of the valuable feed juice requires specialist knowledge in beekeeping so that beekeeping can be carried out in a species-appropriate and sustainable manner.
Key points of species-appropriate beekeeping:
- Avoid feeding the bees
- no artificial vitamins or sugar solutions
- Removal of limited quantities so that the bees can be self-sufficient
- gentle skimming of the feed juice with regeneration breaks
Shipping and packaging
Buying a natural product should not unnecessarily burden the environment. Therefore, decide to buy from regional suppliers. Numerous he alth products are supplied from China. Not only is the transport effort questionable, but the he alth effects of the product often leave something to be desired. Royal jelly loses its beneficial properties if it is stored warm. Therefore, reputable suppliers only send fresh goods frozen and in protective containers such as a reusable brown glass jar.
Quality
Even a layperson can easily determine the quality of the product because the consistency and color reveal a lot about the jelly. If it is white to creamy white in color and slightly thick, it is fresh feed juice. With increasing age the white color disappears. The jelly becomes increasingly yellowish and changes in texture to a gelatinous mass.
How is royal jelly made?
The production of royal jelly requires specialist knowledge, which is why the product is only produced in specialized beekeepers. Since most beekeepers in German-speaking countries keep bees as a leisure activity, they lack knowledge and technical equipment. This leads to many he alth product manufacturers importing royal jelly from China. The pure product is sold at prices between 100 and 130 euros per kilogram.
Procedure
In order to produce royal jelly, the queen must first be removed
First the queen is isolated from the bee colony. The beekeeper then places prefabricated plastic queen cells in the hive, each containing a larva. This encourages the workers to produce royal jelly, which they use to feed the new queen larvae. The plastic bowls must be removed after three days so that the food can be vacuumed out in time. One cell can contain about 0.3 grams of jelly.
Harvest
There is no automated process for harvesting the sought-after product. A variety of instruments are necessary for the jelly to be extracted from the hive. A special pump is placed on the plastic honeycomb, whereby the tube must have exactly the same diameter as the cells. Only then can a vacuum develop, whereby the juice is sucked out.
A fine-mesh filter is also necessary so that the jelly is not contaminated by wax residue. When harvesting by hand, the honeycombs are separated with a knife. The juice can then be scraped out and collected.
Yield
A colony can produce up to 500 grams of feed juice per bee season. However, this only applies to warmer regions where the bee season lasts longer. In temperate climate zones, bees cannot find enough food, so extracting the natural product is often not worth it. Since production and extraction is labor-intensive for humans and bees, the prices are correspondingly high.
Optimization of yield
Many commercial operations are designed for profit, so they need to increase crop yields. The greatest possible yield is only possible if the bees have enough food. Artificial supplementary feeding is therefore not uncommon. The larger the bee population, the more royal jelly the insects can produce.
Other influencing factors:
- lower production if there is a surplus of flying bees and young hive bees
- swarming species produce more royal jelly
- productive species: Caucasian honey bee, Italian bee, tell bee
- Continued breeding of these species
Criticism
If the queen is removed, the bee colony finds itself in an extremely stressful situation. Such an intervention can have a negative impact on the entire population and destroy the balance. Natural beekeepers therefore fundamentally reject the production of royal jelly.
There is an international ISO standard that allows two levels of quality. The higher level ensures that the bee colony only receives natural food. In the second stage, the bees are fed with additional food solutions, which can also be artificially produced.
The consumer advice center criticizes the advertising that manufacturers use to draw attention to their products. These must clearly name micronutrients and quantify the exact amount per daily dose. According to the headquarters, statements that royal jelly has a positive effect on the immune system can only be attributed to the added vitamin C and not to the natural product itself.
The production of royal jelly endangers entire bee colonies
Products and dosage forms
Royal jelly is contained in various products, although the amount varies greatly from one another. The feed juice is processed into capsules, drinking ampoules or creams. You can consume the jelly pure or process it as a powder. Many he alth products have other substances added that have positive effects on the organism.
Zell Oxygen royal jelly – effect
The product from the Dr. Wolz contains vitamins B2, B6 and B12. Together with niacin and pantothenic acid, these are intended to reduce tiredness and combat exhaustion. This can increase vitality and give the organism new life force. The ingredients also contribute to skin he alth. B vitamins take on important functions in energy metabolism.
Excursus
The story of Dr. Wolz
In the 1960s, Prof. Dr. Feodor Lynen and his scientific colleague Siegfried Wolz, who was a bioengineering engineer, worked on the isolation of an enzyme. This was coenzyme A, which is found in yeast cells and takes on important functions in the metabolism of fats. Professor Dr. Lynen was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1964 for his research.
In 1969, Wolz founded his own company in which he cultivated and researched enzyme yeast cells himself. He was firmly convinced that with the enzyme yeast cells he could make an important contribution to maintaining the he alth of human body cells.
Schloßwald-Bienengut Royal Jelly Intensive Cream
This cosmetic product contains six percent royal jelly and numerous nourishing additives, which are responsible for the essential effect. Sea buckthorn oil and vanilla bean extracts are said to protect the skin from the effects of free radicals. Plant butters and oils protect the skin from drying out.
This is also included:
- Extracts of aloe vera, vanilla and propolis
- Almond, sea buckthorn and carotene oil
- Cocoa butter, lanolin and beeswax
- Vitamins B and E, Lecithin
- essential oils
Abbey royal jelly
This vitamin complex is offered as juice in small drinking bottles that are taken daily. The juice contains numerous vitamins, with vitamins B12 and E protecting cells from oxidative stress. Folic acid, niacin and vitamin B2 reduce symptoms of fatigue, while pantothenic acid contributes to normal performance.
How to use royal jelly
Royal jelly is used when you want to have children because it is said to improve the fertility of men and women and thus increase the chance of pregnancy. Many people use the natural product for problems with skin and hair. It can relieve acne and improve scars. Royal jelly has contributed to improvement in people with mental disorders such as depression, anxiety and nervousness.
Internal
A daily dose of 500 milligrams for an adult is recommended. For children, the daily ration is lower and depends on their age. 250 to 350 milligrams per day are recommended. Royal jelly should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach about 30 minutes before the first meal. This means that the ingredients enter the bloodstream more quickly via the mucous membranes. To encourage absorption through the oral mucosa, you should let the jelly melt under your tongue.
Pure on the skin
If you use pure royal jelly on your skin, the bee product develops a kind of protective film. There is a fresh and partly sticky feeling. This causes the skin to dry out more slowly, giving it a he althy and firm appearance.
Royal jelly and honey give our skin moisture and elasticity
Capsules as a cure
A course of taking capsules daily for three to six weeks is often recommended. This procedure can be repeated several times a year and is carried out by many people mainly in spring and autumn. People who are physically and mentally stressed and older people who are suffering from dwindling strength or are beginning to show signs of aging should carry out the treatment at least twice a year.
Recipes with royal jelly
Royal jelly in its pure and fresh form can be processed in a variety of ways. But the freeze-dried powder is also suitable for various recipes. A honey with royal jelly, propolis and pollen acts as a cocktail of all valuable ingredients, which you can use as a spread or to sweeten drinks.
Make your own royal jelly cream
If you have dry skin, we recommend a homemade face cream made from nourishing ingredients. You need 50 milliliters of vegetable oil, about three grams of beeswax and freeze-dried or fresh royal jelly. Which oil you use depends on your personal preferences. Coconut, almond or apricot kernel oil is suitable. You can vary the proportion of beeswax depending on the desired strength. The royal jelly can also be mixed in as desired or in a ratio of 1:2.
Preparation:
- Melting wax in a whistling pot
- remove from heat and stir in oil
- Stir in royal jelly
- fill cooled ointment into a jar
Tip
You should not mix too large quantities as the queen bee juice spoils very quickly.
Golden milk with royal jelly
This drink puts you in a good mood and not just because of its color. The ingredients come together to create a he althy cocktail that can be enjoyed at any time of the year. Mix a teaspoon of ground turmeric with 500 milliliters of almond milk and, depending on your taste, stir in two to four teaspoons of organic honey with flower powder and royal jelly. Add two teaspoons of bee pollen and beat the milk with a whisk until frothy.
Tip
The milk can be enjoyed hot or cold and is effective for respiratory diseases. For a delicate vanilla aroma, you can boil the milk with a vanilla pod.
Frequently asked questions
What is royal jelly?
It is a food juice produced by special glands in the upper jaws of bees. Pollen and honey are used as raw materials. The whitish-yellow and thick mass contains all the important nutrients, enzymes and bee hormones that the insects need for their development. The bees use it to feed larvae, which later grow into queen bees. These benefit from an enormous growth spurt.
It is known that the queens are significantly larger, can produce up to 2,000 eggs per day and have a longer life expectancy than workers. Because of these observations, royal jelly is used as a means of supporting he alth.
What does royal jelly taste like?
Many people describe the taste of the natural product as unpleasant. It consists of 60 to 70 percent water and contains up to 25 percent sugar. The aroma is described as slightly sour, with a slightly bitter note emerging.
How should royal jelly be stored?
Royal jelly should be stored fresh in the refrigerator. A storage temperature between zero and five degrees Celsius is ideal because the natural product spoils very quickly. At low temperatures you can store the queen bee juice for about half a year. The shelf life increases if you freeze the jelly. You can store it in this condition for two to three years without any loss of quality. However, the mass should be thawed a maximum of once.
What is royal jelly good for?
Royal jelly can contribute to better well-being and awaken your spirits. Many people report an improvement in their mental state. The natural product is said to help against loss of appetite and help the food consumed to be digested more effectively. The formation of red blood cells can be positively influenced by regular consumption. Royal jelly normalizes blood pressure and helps with diabetes. The effective ingredients have a positive effect on the complexion.
Are there any side effects when taking royal jelly?
Various immune system reactions or other symptoms can occur. People who already suffer from asthma or are allergic to insect bites are often affected. Hypersensitive people should therefore avoid dietary supplements. In the worst case, anaphylactic shock can occur or the asthma can worsen acutely. Vomiting, diarrhea or a drop in blood pressure are further side effects.
How is royal jelly made?
In order to get to the valuable food juice, the bees have to be tricked. They only produce the secretion when a queen larva grows. Beekeepers encourage workers to increase production by inserting modified plastic honeycombs into the hive. Each of these cells contains a larva, which is then fed with the secretion. After just three days, the cells have to be removed again so that the juice can be sucked out. Special devices are required for this.