You may have heard about the benefits of honey, but have you heard about royal jelly? This amazing superfood is another honeybee product that can enhance your immune system and more. Learn more about the powerful benefits of royal jelly and why you should add it to your diet.
A product of honeybees, royal jelly is a nutritious milky white substance that worker bees secrete. The bees feed it to the queen bee larva and the queen bee throughout its life. It is also fed to newly hatched honeybee larvae during their first two to three days of life.
According to the journal Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, royal jelly consists of water (50%-60%), proteins (18%), carbohydrates (15%), lipids (3%-6%), minerals, amino acids, and water-soluble vitamins. The most important protein found in it is royalactin. This is the main compound that enables a queen bee larva to mature into an adult queen bee. This is also why the queen bee lives much longer compared to other bees.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners classify this honeybee product as a tonic. "It is considered neutral in nature because it is neither cold nor warm, with a sweet and sour flavor. It influences the spleen and liver meridians," explains Chu I Ta, Chief TCM Physician at Real Health Medical clinic in Singapore. "Royal jelly helps to nourish the body's yin fluid, strengthens body functions and immunity. It works by nourishing and regulating the liver's blood and invigorating the spleen qi function (absorption and digestion)."
Royal jelly is a highly nutritious superfood that demonstrates antibacterial, anti-carcinogenic, anti-allergy, and anti-inflammatory properties and has beneficial effects on the immune system. TCM practitioners have long used it as a supplement to treat a variety of ailments.
Some of the health benefits include:
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) strikes many women in the week or so leading up to their periods. Royal jelly can provide natural support for PMS symptoms.
A study in Complementary Therapies in Medicine gave 110 students with PMS either 1,000 mg royal jelly or a placebo. After two cycles, the women who received royal jelly reported that their PMS symptoms were significantly reduced.
Royal jelly may also relieve symptoms associated with menopause. A study in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice found daily oral consumption of royal jelly (1,000 mg) for eight weeks effectively alleviated menopausal symptoms in women aged 45–60.
Animal studies suggest royal jelly may improve fertility in men. Research shows supplementation could counteract summer infertility and improve reproductive health.
Studies indicate royal jelly may protect nerve cells, support memory, and have a potential role in preventing Alzheimer’s disease.
Royal jelly has shown promise in promoting wound healing due to its antibacterial peptides and regenerative properties.
The glycoproteins and lipids in royal jelly may help extend lifespan and slow tissue deterioration associated with aging.
Animal studies suggest royal jelly enhances immunity and may increase antibody production.
Royal jelly is available in both raw and processed forms. Fresh royal jelly is a gel-like substance, while processed forms include freeze-dried powders, capsules, and pills. Start with a small amount to monitor effects.
Allergic reactions are the most common side effect of royal jelly. Avoid it if you are allergic to bee stings, pollen, or have asthma. Children, pregnant women, and individuals with low blood sugar or diarrhea should also avoid it.
The benefits of royal jelly are far-reaching. Incorporating this superfood supplement into your diet can help strengthen your immune system and slow the aging process, but always consult a medical professional before use.
