Description

Royal jelly is a whitish, gelatinous substance secreted by certain glands of young bees.

It is used to nourish the larvae during the first stage of their development and is the exclusive food of the queen throughout her life.

Also known as "bee milk", it contains 50-65% water and many other substances, including

• Sugars (15%), mainly fructose and glucose
• proteins (18% to 13%)
• Fats (3% to 6%)
• Minerals (1.5%)
• Vitamins, especially those of the B group, in particular B1 and B5
• Trace elements (trace minerals)

Royal jelly is partly attributed to the fact that the queen, who feeds exclusively on it, is much larger than other bees and lives for 5 or 6 years, while the active life of the workers hardly exceeds 45 days.

Some manufacturers and distributors take advantage of this to promote the so-called miraculous effects of their products, a dubious extrapolation.

In fact, other insects grow very quickly without royal jelly, and the longevity of insects does not depend on the same mechanisms as humans.

Indications

• Reduce menopausal symptoms
• High cholesterol
• Chronic rhinitis
• Physical and intellectual fatigue
• Stress
• Boost immunity

Precautionary measures

Caution: Some authors claim that you can safely consume up to 1.2g of royal jelly per day and even more.

However, it is important to start with a low dose and gradually increase it to detect a possible allergy.

From 2000 to 2009, cases of contamination with chloramphenicol (a toxic antibiotic in high doses) were detected in Italy, the UK and Australia, mainly in products imported from China.

In general, the levels detected are minimal, but the use of chloramphenicol in livestock is banned in these countries and in Canada.

Its presence in imported products is also prohibited.

Contraindications

People who are allergic to honey, pollen, bee stings and plants of the Compositae family (daisy, echinacea, dandelion, etc.) may also be allergic to royal jelly.

Several allergic and anaphylactic reactions to royal jelly have been reported, including in people with asthma or atopic eczema.

Side Effects

When used topically, royal jelly may cause or aggravate dermatitis (inflammation of the skin).

One study reports that oral use of royal jelly (12 mg/day for 2 months) is considered safe, which is supported by other research.

However, it is not recommended for pregnant women due to a lack of studies.

Interactions

With herbs or supplements

• Taking jelly with herbs/supplements known to lower blood pressure may increase the risk of hypotension.

With medicines

• Royal jelly has been linked to a case of blood in the urine (haematuria) in an elderly patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and hypertension who was taking warfarin, a blood thinner. However, the causal relationship has not been clearly established.
• Royal jelly may lower blood pressure, according to an animal study. Taking royal jelly with a high blood pressure medication may therefore increase the risk of hypotension.