Royal jelly: benefits and harms, how to take it for women, men, children, during pregnancy

What is royal jelly and how is it collected?

Since ancient times, royal jelly has been considered an elixir of longevity.
This product is extremely rare and expensive. The process of obtaining it is complex and troublesome, only professionals can do it. In specialized apiaries, you can get up to 8 grams of royal jelly per day from a strong colony, and during the season, up to 100 grams of royal jelly from it.

Before being sent for processing, where it will be used to make valuable medicines, it is stored in the refrigerator at a temperature no higher than minus 10 degrees in sealed dark glass containers.

Amateur beekeepers can also get this valuable product. To do this, you need to take the rebuilt comb with queen cells out of the hive, cut off the wall with a razor and extract the royal jelly with a small spoon, pipette or spatula.

If you decide to pick excess queen cells during the swarming period, you should not throw them away, but try to extract royal jelly from them. Let its quantity be very small, but it can be mixed with honey and put in the refrigerator. And although you won’t feel it, you will know that there is great power in this jar of honey.

It must be collected when the age of the queen larva is only 2.5 - 3 days. It is impossible to determine it by eye, therefore, in order to obtain an insignificant amount of milk, you should not often disturb a strong bee colony.

Interesting facts about bee products

Royal jelly is produced by worker bees specifically to nourish the queen bee. And this is what distinguishes it from other bees. Queen bees that feed exclusively on it alone live 5–6 years, which is 60 times longer than an ordinary bee. Worker bees live about 1.5 – 2 months. Also, people who regularly consume bee jelly live much longer than others, and at the same time remain highly active throughout their lives.
To collect 1 kg of honey, a bee needs to fly around 10 million flowering plants. To do this, she will have to make 150 walks and cover a distance equal to if she flew around the equator 12 times
In terms of amino acid content, pollen protein is superior to cow's milk protein
If a piece of raw meat is covered with propolis, even if it is in the sun, it will still remain fresh for a long time.
At room temperature 21 - 24 degrees, royal jelly loses its beneficial properties after 2 hours. But if it is mixed with honey in a ratio of 1:50, its natural qualities can be preserved for a long time at this temperature.

How and from what is it made?

The largest amount of royal jelly is found in a special cell created by bees in which the queen develops. This cell differs from the others in shape and size; it is created when the bees, for whatever reason, wish to raise a new queen.

From there, the product is selected with a spatula and placed in a dark glass container. The natural remedy has a short shelf life, so it should be preserved in honey for up to 3 hours after collection.

Article for you:

Flower pollen: benefits and applications in folk medicine and cosmetology

Today, along with honey preservation, tablets and granules are also produced. The drug can be purchased at health food stores, pharmacies or points of sale of beekeeping products.

Compound

Royal jelly has a sweetish taste and a pleasant honey aroma. It looks different from honey and looks like jam of a light, almost milky color.

It contains 30% proteins, which are 22 amino acids, similar to those found in eggs, milk and meat, 17% carbohydrates, 5.5% fats. It is rich in vitamins A, C. D, K, group B. According to scientists, a factor in prolonging life is the content of pantothenic acid and vitamin B complex in milk.

Pantothenic acid is required for the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and amino acids. Its most important property is the ability to stimulate the production of hormones - the adrenal glands, which makes it a powerful remedy for the treatment of arthritis, colitis, heart disease and allergies.
Source Wikipedia

Its composition is so unique that it is impossible to recreate it in the laboratory, so there are simply no chemical analogues to it.

Chemical composition of royal jelly

The benefits and harms of bee milk are not controversial or doubtful, but its composition and properties have not yet been fully studied. It is impossible to say exactly what benefits a particular portion contains, since its composition largely depends on external factors. Probably, insects thus adapt the larvae to future life in a particular area.

The beneficial properties of the substance depend on flowering plants, season, and weather conditions. We can say for sure that it contains more than four hundred useful components, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes and hormones. It is not capable of causing harm to the body, but there are individual characteristics that need to be taken into account.

Compound:

about 60% – water;
up to 15% – fats;
20–50% – proteins;
10–40% – carbohydrates;
the remaining 1–3% are vitamins, enzymes, minerals, amino acids, hormones and other beneficial substances. Among them are the growth hormone progesterone, estradiol, amylase, testosterone, vitamins A, B, C, D, and folic acid. They support all functions in the human body without harm.

Important! This ratio gives royal jelly beneficial properties that cannot be found in dietary supplements and vitamin complexes, while the body does not experience harm.

Benefit

Royal jelly has many beneficial properties:

Increases immunity;
Normalizes metabolism;
Removes harmful substances from the body;
Stimulates the activity of the nervous system;
Reduces cholesterol levels;
Has a rejuvenating effect on the body;
Treats stomach diseases, diabetes, bronchial asthma;
Has a beneficial effect on the nervous, endocrine and cardiovascular systems;
Improves memory;
Normalizes blood pressure;
Increases performance.

Preparations based on it are useful in the following cases:

In case of lack of appetite;
Loss of strength;
Absent-mindedness;
ARVI;
Fractures and sprains;
Reduced immunity;
Prostate.

Benefits for men and women

Studies have shown that consumption of royal jelly by men increases the production of the hormone testosterone in the male body, which affects sperm quality.

In addition, it contains the female hormone - progesterone, which is necessary for the functioning of the entire female body.

Royal jelly is used to treat infertility, menstrual irregularities, lack of ovulation, and during pregnancy to strengthen the body. Helps the body recover after childbirth. Enriches women's breast milk with beneficial vitamins and microelements.

Royal jelly is easily absorbed by the body. It has antiviral, antitumor, antibacterial effects.

Is it useful during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Royal jelly is recommended for pregnant and lactating women. The reason for this is the content of substances important during this period. They are represented by folic acid and substances similar to female hormones - progesterone and estrogen.

Article for you:

Bee products: medicinal properties, use in folk medicine

Not only will they not cause harm during pregnancy and lactation, but they will help alleviate toxicosis and increase milk production.

How to take adsorbed milk powder during pregnancy and lactation? Recommended dose – 1/2 tsp. Course – 3-4 weeks. Then - a week's break.

Rejuvenation of the body

Who doesn't want to always stay young? After all, the young man has good health, a lot of energy and strength. But over the course of life, the body wears out and ages. A beekeeping product, royal jelly, will help slow down the aging process.

Royal jelly has a rejuvenating effect on the body, improves vision, memory, and appetite. Even very small doses have a positive effect on eliminating certain diseases and delaying the aging of the body.

The essence of the effect of royal jelly on the aging body is the regeneration (restoration) of worn-out cells and tissues, including the endocrine glands and the nervous system.

Therapeutic effects for health and beauty

The natural remedy has a tonic, anti-radiation and immunostimulating effect, supports cell division, increases body tone, normalizes blood pressure, vascular condition and organ function.

The health benefits of royal jelly lie in the fact that it does not affect a specific organ, but covers general tissue changes in the body, significantly increases the body’s own defenses, making it a valuable supportive medicine for a number of diseases.

Human skin has a very sensitive structure and is exposed to environmental influences, especially in large cities. With the help of royal jelly, you can significantly reduce the negative impact on the skin, and for people with acne, psoriasis and eczema - in the early stages - the product can be a real salvation from problems.

It is recommended to have a natural remedy in your first aid kit in case of minor burns or scratches.

Royal jelly is not a panacea. But it has been proven that its use can alleviate the course of diseases and significantly help in the treatment of the following diseases:

acne;
anemia;
angina pectoris;
arteriosclerosis;
asthenia (general weakness);
depression;
encephalitis;
liver diseases;
menopausal problems;
anorexia, loss of appetite;
neurasthenia;
paralysis (some types);
parkinsonism (milder forms);
poor healing and recovery after surgery;
complications after difficult childbirth associated with large blood loss;
slow recovery after a serious illness, injury, surgery;
multiple sclerosis (maintenance therapy);
weakening of vision and hearing without significant reasons;
mental and physical stress;
dysfunction of the endocrine glands (thyroid gland, adrenal glands, gonads);
poorly healing wounds and burns;
side effects of taking broad-spectrum antibiotics;
vegetative dystonia;
stomach and duodenal ulcers (peptic ulcers);
exhaustion of the body;
inflammation of the colon;
unsatisfactory general physical and mental condition;
decreased quality of mental activity and productivity;
pathological changes in the retina of the eye;
slow development in children;
decreased sexual activity, female frigidity.

Article for you:

Masks with honey for hair: a selection of the most effective and affordable recipes

In cosmetology:

Regenerative effects.
Reducing wrinkles.
Slowing down the signs of aging.

Application

Royal jelly is used in the preparation of many medicinal preparations, as well as perfumes and cosmetics. It is included in creams, lotions, and ointments.

It is used in cosmetology to rejuvenate the skin and prevent its aging.

Royal jelly is sold in granules and capsules. When granulated, excess liquid is evaporated from it, while all healing properties are preserved. When dry, it can be stored for a long time.

Capsules are also used to increase shelf life. Royal jelly is mixed with glucose and lactose in a ratio of 1:4, dried and packed into capsules.

Milk can be frozen. In this form it can be stored for 2 years. If it is not defrosted and re-frozen, it does not lose its medicinal properties. It should be stored in an airtight container to avoid contact with air.

The easiest way to store royal jelly is to mix it with honey in a ratio of 1: 100. Honey is a good preservative and retains the beneficial properties of the product for a long time.

In cosmetology, royal jelly is used to treat:

Dermatitis;
Dandruff;
Acne;
Hair loss;
To smooth out wrinkles.

What form does royal jelly come in?

The product can be found in various forms and variations, each of which has beneficial properties.

Powdered royal jelly (in granules)

Important! You should take the jelly only in the morning or during the day, as after taking it a person feels a surge of strength and vigor. If you use it at night, you may have trouble sleeping.

Granulated bee milk is obtained by the adsorption method, removing water without reducing the benefits or harming the composition. In an airtight container, this product can be stored for up to two years.

Royal jelly in capsules

To produce encapsulated milk, the freeze-drying method is used: drying, then deep freezing and dehydration. This method allows you to extend the shelf life, while the benefits are preserved and there is no harm to the components.

Frozen royal jelly

To freeze milk, special chambers are used that cool it to -17 °C. The shelf life of this preparation is up to two years. It is impossible to achieve such a result at home. If frozen in a regular freezer, the milk will not cause any harm, but the benefits will be completely lost.

Before use, the frozen product, pre-packaged in an airtight container, is placed in a warmer compartment of the refrigerator, in which it is stored for a week until use.

Royal jelly with honey

As you know, honey is the only product in the world that can be stored forever without harm and never spoils, under any circumstances. Therefore, the recipe for royal jelly with honey aims to preserve all the beneficial properties for as long as possible.

Honey with royal jelly is easy to prepare at home; it does not require special equipment, preservatives, or additives, so this healthy product can be purchased from beekeepers.

We recommend reading: Food additive E535: dangerous or not, impact on health

The concentration of milk is about 2%, but you can also find formulations with higher concentrations - up to 50%. This form of release is pleasant to the taste and suitable for children.

Use at home

At home, royal jelly can be used in the preparation of creams and masks.

I offer several recipes:

Face masks

Moisturizing and nourishing mask

To prepare it you will need:

1 banana;
a teaspoon of yogurt;
1 – 2 pcs. strawberries;
0.5 tsp. royal jelly.

Mash the banana and strawberries until smooth. Add yogurt and milk, mix everything well. Apply the resulting mixture to your face for 20 minutes, then rinse off any remaining residue. After washing your face, wipe your face with an ice cube to tone your skin.

Mask with royal jelly

Add 1 tsp to 1 glass of milk. honey and 1 – 2 drops of royal jelly. Apply the resulting composition to the face for 15 minutes and then wash off. The face becomes smooth and velvety.

And one more recipe:

Take 0.5 cups of warm water, 1 tbsp. l. honey, 1 tbsp. l. apricot oil, 0.5 tsp. royal jelly. Mix everything thoroughly and apply the resulting mixture to your face for a quarter of an hour, then rinse. The procedure must be repeated 2 times a week.

Hair masks

Royal jelly is good for healthy hair. It relieves dry scalp, dandruff, and stops hair loss.

To do this, rub a solution of honey, royal jelly and distilled water into the scalp 3 times a week. After the procedure, you should rinse your head with warm water.

To strengthen hair

To prepare it you will need:

1 tsp. royal jelly;
1 tbsp. l. burdock oil;
egg yolk.

Mix all ingredients and apply to clean hair with light massaging movements. Cover your head with a plastic bag and a towel. After half an hour, rinse with warm water without detergents.

For dandruff

Will need:

3 tbsp. l. castor oil;
2 tbsp. l. cognac;
Egg yolk;
1 tsp. royal jelly.

Mix all ingredients and apply to clean hair for half an hour. Cover your head with a plastic bag and a towel. Then rinse with warm water without shampoo.

Skin care

Moisturizing face cream

To prepare it you will need:

1 tbsp. l. whole milk;
1 tsp. honey;
¼ tsp. bee jelly.

Boil the milk and cool to a temperature of 40 - 50 degrees. Add remaining ingredients. Mix everything thoroughly. Apply to your face for a quarter of an hour, then rinse with warm water.

For dry skin

Using a wax-based cream, you can smooth out wrinkles and remove fat on the face.

Required Ingredients:

50 ml olive oil;
⅓ tsp. royal jelly;
1 tbsp. l. beeswax;
50 g cocoa butter;
1 tbsp. l. distilled or boiled water.

Mix everything well and apply to clean facial skin for 25 - 30 minutes. Remove excess cream with a napkin or cotton swab.

How to take it correctly

When taking medications that contain royal jelly, strictly adhere to medical recommendations. An overdose causes overexcitation, rapid heartbeat may occur, and the pulse rhythm may be disrupted. The average daily dose depends on age, body weight, and individual tolerance to the substance.

Dietary supplements in the form of tablets and capsules that contain bee products are not considered medicinal products.

Adults and adolescents are recommended to take dietary supplement tablets “Vitamin-mineral complex “Royal jelly” weighing 0.25 g 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.

Children under 6 years of age are not recommended to take the dietary supplement; those over 6 years of age are allowed to take 1 tablet 2 times a day.

Contraindications

All bee products are strong allergens. If you are allergic to them, it may manifest itself in the form of redness or rashes, itching.

Contraindications to the use of royal jelly are acute infectious diseases, adrenal diseases, Addison's disease, tumors and neoplasms, hypersensitivity to the product

It is better not to use it before bed, as it can cause overexcitement and insomnia.

Do not forget that treatment with beekeeping products is individual. Therapeutic doses and number of courses are prescribed by the attending physician and depend on the disease.

How to get royal jelly

The milk of queen bees is a product of the production of the glands of nurse bees, which serves as the main food for bee larvae. This product does not belong to the main beekeeping products and bees do not store it for long periods of time, so its collection has its own certain difficulties.

Royal jelly is contained in small quantities in all larvae, but only in the larvae of future queens is it contained in larger quantities throughout development. Therefore, the most suitable time for collection is considered to be the breeding season of queen bees. Milk accumulates in the greatest quantity on the 4th-5th day of larval development.

Royal jelly collection consists of the following steps:

Creation of an additional frame onto which the larvae will be transplanted;
Preparing a family that will raise these larvae;
Removing closed queen cells and collecting milk from them using a syringe or spoon;
Returning the larvae to the family;
Packaging and storage.

A few hours after extraction, the properties of the milk change. An important condition for collection is efficiency and the availability of cooling equipment. Freezing helps slow down the process of destruction of beneficial properties.

Cooling equipment for collecting royal jelly

Recipes with royal jelly

Royal jelly is used in many recipes. Here are some of them:

Honey - apple drink

Mix a glass of water at room temperature with 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar and 1 tbsp. l. honey with royal jelly added to it. The drink has a refreshing taste, has general strengthening properties, and alleviates toxicosis during pregnancy.

Green tea with royal jelly

This is a unique cold remedy that will relieve symptoms after just a few uses.

Add 1 tsp to chilled green tea prepared with medicinal herbs. honey with royal jelly.

For colds

Mix royal jelly with honey in a ratio of 1: 100 and take 1 teaspoon 3 times a day for 10 – 15 days.

For wound healing

The product can be used to treat wounds, burns, inflammations, and ulcers. It must be mixed with alcohol and the wounds treated with this solution. After this, the mixture of honey and royal jelly should be diluted in distilled water in a 1:1 ratio, dip a tampon in it and apply it to the sore spot. Change the bandage 2 times a day.

For inflammation of the oral cavity

Mix milk and honey in a ratio of 1; 100 and dilute with distilled water. This solution can be used as a mouth rinse for sore throat, tonsillitis, and pharyngitis.

During menopause

Mix 2 g of royal jelly with 100 g of honey and take 1 dessert spoon every morning. This will make you feel much lighter.

To prevent aging

Aging is a natural physiological process during which wrinkles appear, skin fades, and hair becomes dull. Unfortunately, no one can avoid old age. But the aging process can be stopped. And one of the products used for these purposes is royal jelly.

It is an excellent rejuvenating agent. Thanks to the vitamins and microelements included in its composition, wrinkles are smoothed out, memory, vision, and skin are improved.

Benefits of Royal Jelly for Women's Health

The main effect of using the drug is to increase the tone of the body, accumulate physical strength and strengthen the immune system. Apitherapists use these properties in the prevention and treatment of female diseases. Royal jelly helps a weakened body quickly restore strength and performance. At the same time, sleep, appetite, digestion improves, anxiety and excessive irritability are eliminated, metabolism and hematopoiesis increase.

Royal jelly in gynecology

The special benefit for the female body is that this bee product:

helps treat inflammation, fungal infections of the mucous membrane, cervical erosion, candidiasis, complementing traditional treatment methods;
normalizes the functioning of the body and reduces discomfort during menopause, and with regular use even delays the onset of this period;
increases the chances of fertilization in case of infertility, having a positive effect on ovulation;
helps to endure pregnancy more easily, recover after childbirth and not experience problems when breastfeeding;
increases libido;
improves quality of life, improves well-being, gives a surge of energy.

Royal jelly for endometriosis

This is a dangerous gynecological disease that can cause infertility. Most often, pathology is caused by weakened immunity and hormonal imbalance. For treatment, therapy is prescribed that is selected for a specific patient. Additionally, propolis, royal jelly and other bee products are used if they are combined with drug therapy and do not worsen the patient’s condition.

Reviews from real customers

What do buyers think about royal jelly? Here are some reviews: Review on the forum

Feedback on the forum

Feedback on the forum
There are a large number of reviews and mostly they are all positive.