Royal Jelly – Health Benefits and its Side Effects

Lately there has been a lot of buzz about the many benefits honeybee products such as raw honey, royal jelly, and propolis offer. There are many contradicting information about the products as well and this leaves one wondering what the actual truth is. Well, truth be told, honey has been in use for as long as humans have been in existence. It is one of the most beneficial natural products on the market. Royal jelly is one other honeybee product that also boast a lot of benefits. It is milky and whitish in color and is produced by the worker honeybees. Its main purpose is to induce super-growth and development of the queen bee. It is the main food for the queen.

Health Benefits of Royal Jelly

Reliable studies have been carried out and this has unearthed specific benefits of royal jelly.

1. Immunity and Allergies

Royal jelly is one of the best remedies for allergic reactions. It also helps to boost the body’s immunity. A study conducted in 2001 and published in the International Immunopharmacology journal clearly identified the immense benefit royal jelly provided against allergens. It is one of the best remedies for seasonal allergy symptoms.

More research is being undertaken to provide more prove of the allergen-suppressing properties of royal jelly.

2. Countering Alzheimer’s Disease

There is a strong correlation between royal jelly and neural function improvement. A study published in the Advanced Biomedical Research examined its effect on Alzheimer’s patients. The outcome of the study showed some amazing results. It showed that it immensely improved learning abilities and brain power.

Alzheimer’s is the main cause of memory lapses and impaired learning capabilities. The use of royal jelly is beneficial in the prevention and cure of diseases that affect the neural system. That may explain why it is used as a natural remedy for Alzheimer’s.

3. Improved Gastrointestinal Tract

Royal jelly is rich in essential probiotics. This is a good source of bifidobacteria which boosts the health of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore it is one of the best probiotics. Furthermore, the presence of bifidobacteria in the gastrointestinal tract has other benefits such as: immune boost and a source of anti-carcinogens.

4. Skin Care

A study conducted by at Kyung Hee University in Korea showed royal jelly greatly improved the collagen levels. Collagen is responsible for keeping the skin in great condition. Those exposed to ultraviolet-B radiation will benefit greatly when they consume royal jelly since the product curbs the skin photoaging. It increases the level of procollagen type 1 protein which helps keep the skin tissue thick. The studies have proven that it can help keep the skin from aging through increased collagen production.

5. Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition that results in bone loss. According to a study done by the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology in Ercives University in Turkey, bee pollen and royal jelly helps those with osteoporosis. The study was aimed at finding out whether these honeybee products indeed helped reduce bone loss.

At end of the study a significant difference was noted in those who used bee pollen and royal jelly. The products greatly improved the bone health within the proximal femur and lumbar spine. Both it and bee pollen are essential in boosting the levels of calcium and phosphate which help reduce bone loss resulting from osteoporosis.

6. Wound Healing

Most of us know how effective honey is in healing wounds. Royal jelly being one of the honeybee products has been proven to help in wound healing as well. The study done in 2010 involved wound treatment using royal jelly in intervals of 48 hours and amazing results were noted. It helps in wound healing by accelerating the migration of fibroblasts to the wound area. These fibroblasts generate fibers and collagen required for wound-healing.

7. Fertility in Men

If you thought you already know all the benefits of this honeybee product then think again. Another study conducted and published in Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine showed the effectiveness when it comes to curing male infertility. It showed that royal jelly improves: the sperm count, testosterone levels, sperm mobility, sperm viability, and maturity. It is a natural remedy for infertility in men.

8. What about Diabetic Patients?

Royal jelly has some beneficial effects on those suffering from diabetes. Recent studies found out that men and women suffering from diabetes 2 experienced some immense improvement after they took it as a remedy for the disease. The research found out that those who took it got excellent results with lowered glucose levels.

9. Menopause and Postmenopausal Symptoms

Royal jelly as a stand-alone natural product gives amazing results when taken by menopausal women. It has the capability of reducing menopausal symptoms and also boosts the wellbeing of women with menopausal symptoms. Studies have also found out that when used alongside ginseng, evening primrose oil, or damiana help reduce menopausal symptoms as well.

The Side Effects of Royal Jelly

Royal jelly should not be taken by those who are pregnant or breast-feeding without consulting their doctor. Those who are also any medication or blood thinners should not take until they seek advice from their doctor. You should also avoid taking it if you suffer from estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Those who are also allergic to bee venom should avoid taking it.

Some of the effects reported include: asthma-like symptoms, stomach pain, throat swelling, bloody diarrhea, and anaphylaxis. However, these negative effects are very rare.

If you are allergic to bee venom, then do not make an assumption that the honeybee products such as royal jelly will give a negative reaction.

Conclusion

Royal jelly as a natural honeybee product offers a plethora of benefits. It has an acidic feel and leaves a mild tingling sensation when ingested. If you take it and feel some abnormalities such as the urge to cough or wheeze or reddening of the face, then avoid it completely.

You can also check out the health benefits of honey, bee pollen and propolis.

References

• Royal Jelly. Review of Natural Products. Facts & Comparisons Online. April 2010. Accessed April 20, 2010.
• https://draxe.com/osteoporosis-diet-5-natural-treatments/
• http://thenaturalshopper.com/resources/royal-jelly/royal-jelly-effects.html
• https://draxe.com/natural-arthritis-cures/
• https://draxe.com/10-natural-cancer-treatments-hidden-cures/

Have you ever used royal jelly as medicine before? Leave a comment below and let us know what your experience was like.