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 report the positive effects.

Sourcing royal jelly is complicated and anything but bee-friendly

Table of Contents

Show all
  1. the essentials in brief
  2. What is that?
  3. effects and dangers
  4. side effects and dangers
  5. Buy royal jelly
  6. Buying Tips
  7. extraction of the natural product
  8. products and dosage forms
  9. application
  10. recipes
  11. frequently asked Questions

    12. the essentials in brief

    • Royal jelly is the feed juice made from pollen and honey for queen larvae of honey bees
    • Royal jelly is antibacterial, lowers blood sugar and reduces stress symptoms and is therefore said to help against numerous health problems and diseases such as digestive problems or tumor growth.
    • For bee lovers, the consumption of royal jelly is taboo: the queen bee has to be removed for production, which is extremely stressful for the bees.

    Royal Jelly - What is it?

    Royal jelly is a feed juice that honey bees feed their queen larvae with. The mixture is produced from pollen and honey from the forage and maxillary glands of the workers. 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 affects the development of queens. Royal jelly is therefore also referred to as queen bee or queen bee juice. However, these theories could not be proven in more recent studies.

    Here's how queens outperform 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 surpass 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 fix honeycomb.

    royal jelly propolis
    trivial names queen bee juice bee resin
    function feed juice putty
    consistency honeyed resinous
    origin specially produced secretion Plant saps 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 health 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 ailments. It is believed that royal jelly inhibits tumor growth and prevents the development of cancer. Royal jelly stimulates the appetite and balances the hormones. It increases levels of testosterone and estrogen, thus increasing libido.

    What royal jelly can do:

    • Activate the body's self-healing powers
    • relieve chronic digestive problems
    • Reduce food intolerance
    • Reduce menopausal symptoms
    • slow down the signs of aging
    • Heal muscle tension, back pain, arthrosis and rheumatism

    ingredients

    The bee product is similar in its main ingredients to 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 included 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 until now has only been found in royal jelly. This fatty acid acts as a natural preservative.

    side effects and dangers

    Although royal jelly is considered extremely healthy, 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 isolated cases, life-threatening situations can arise in hypersensitive people. Three deaths in Australia have been linked to royal jelly ingestion.

    Possible complaints:

    • allergic skin reactions or facial swelling
    • Asthma attacks or a worsening of existing asthma
    • vomiting, diarrhea and drop in blood pressure

    experiences and tests

    So far there have been 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 study with eight people suffering from diabetes, the diabetic ulcers either disappeared completely after regular consumption of royal jelly or they improved significantly. In the case of bees, it could be proven that their life expectancy can be significantly increased by consuming royal jelly.

    Positive effects found in animal studies:

    • Skin injuries heal much faster
    • improved bone metabolism
    • anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
    • increases performance

    Even if the positive effects on humans have not been proven - numerous people report significant improvements after taking royal jelly.

    Where can I buy royal jelly?

    Royal jelly is usually found in health food stores

    Royal jelly is contained in numerous dietary supplements that are offered by DM or Rossmann. You can find dietary supplements of more expensive brands in the pharmacy. If you are looking for regional products, you should look out for the nearest health food store. One supplier of natural products is the Bergland brand. You can also buy royal jelly from Amazon. Pay close attention to the seller here, because the natural products on offer do not always keep what the manufacturers promise.

    You should pay attention to this 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. Medication and medicines must therefore be provided with a warning. However, this obligation to provide information does not apply to food supplements such as drinking ampoules. Since the positive effects have not been sufficiently proven, the manufacturers are not allowed to advertise with the health-promoting properties.

    Keep your distance if you have previous illnesses

    People who show allergic reactions after bee or insect stings should not consume the product. This also applies to people who suffer from asthma. A sudden allergy flare-up can lead to life-threatening symptoms. If in doubt, you can get tested by a doctor.

    Obtain information about origin

    Before buying, you should find out from the manufacturer how the product was obtained and whether it was tested. According to the NRW consumer advice center, royal jelly tested positive for pyrrolizidine alkaloids several times. This substance is produced by plants to ward off predators and can get into the bee product via the pollen. Even in small amounts, the alkaloids can damage the human genome and cause cancer. The packaging usually does not indicate whether the product has been tested for the plant substance.

    Organic production

    Look out for the organic seal and only buy products from controlled and certified sources. Ecologically produced natural remedies are free of additives and are checked by independent institutes. Trusted 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:

    • Refrain from 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 health products are shipped from China. Here not only the transport costs are questionable, but also the health effects of the product often leave a lot to be desired. Royal jelly loses its beneficial properties when stored warm. Therefore, reputable suppliers only send fresh goods deep-frozen and in protective containers such as reusable brown glass jars.

    quality

    Even the layman can very easily determine the quality of the product, because the consistency and color reveal a lot about the jelly. If it is white to off-white in color and slightly viscous, it is fresh feed juice. With age, the white coloring disappears. The jelly becomes increasingly yellow and changes in texture to a gelatinous mass.

    How is royal jelly made?

    The extraction of royal jelly requires expertise, which is why the product is only produced in specialized beekeepers. Since most beekeepers in German-speaking countries practice beekeeping as a leisure activity, they lack knowledge and technical equipment. As a result, many manufacturers of health products are importing royal jelly from China. The pure product is sold at prices between 100 and 130 euros per kilogram.

    method

    In order to be able to produce royal jelly, the queen must first be removed

    First, the queen is isolated from the colony. The beekeeper then places prefabricated plastic queen cells in the hive, each containing one larva. This encourages the workers to produce royal jelly, which they feed the new queen larvae. The plastic cups must be removed after three days so that the lining can be vacuumed off in good time. One cell can contain about 0.3 grams of jelly.

    harvest

    There is no automated process for harvesting the coveted 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, which sucks out the juice.

    A fine-mesh filter is also necessary so that the jelly is not contaminated by wax residue. When harvesting by hand, the combs are cut off with a knife. The juice can then be scraped out and collected.

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    yield

    A colony can produce up to 500 grams of forage juice per bee season. However, this only applies to warmer regions where the bee season lasts longer. In the temperate climate zones, the bees do not find enough food, so that the extraction of the natural product is often not worthwhile here. Since the 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 highest possible yield is only possible if the bees have enough food. Artificial supplementation is therefore not uncommon. The larger the bee population, the more royal jelly the insects can produce.

    Other influencing factors:

    • lower production when 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
    • breeding of these species

    criticism

    If the queen is removed, the bee colony gets into an extremely stressful situation. Such interference can adversely affect the entire colony and upset the balance. Natural beekeepers therefore fundamentally reject the production of royal jelly.

    There is an international ISO standard that allows two quality levels. The higher level ensures that the bee colony only gets natural food. In the second stage, the bees are fed with additional feed 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 should only be due 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. The feed juice is processed in capsules, drinking ampoules or creams. You can take the jelly pure or process it as a powder. Other substances are added to many health products that have positive effects on the organism.

    Zell Oxygen royal jelly - effect

    The product of the brand Dr. Wolz contains vitamins B2, B6 and B12. Together with niacin and pantothenic acid, these are said to reduce tiredness and counteract exhaustion. This can increase vitality and the organism gets new vitality. The ingredients also contribute to skin health. B vitamins take on important functions in energy metabolism.

    digression

    The story of dr. Wolz

    In the 1960s, Prof. Dr. Feodor Lynen, together with his research assistant Siegfried Wolz, who was a biotechnology engineer, worked on isolating an enzyme. It was the 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 he could make an important contribution to keeping human body cells healthy with the enzyme yeast cells.

    Schloßwald-Bee Gut Royal Jelly Intensive Cream

    This cosmetic product contains six percent royal jelly and numerous nourishing additives, which are responsible for the main effect. Sea buckthorn oil and vanilla bean extracts are said to protect the skin from the effects of free radicals. Vegetable butter 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 a juice in small drinking bottles that are taken daily. The juice contains numerous vitamins, with vitamins B12 and E protecting the cells from oxidative stress. Folic acid, niacin and vitamin B2 reduce signs 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 skin and hair problems. It can relieve acne and improve scars. Royal jelly has helped people with mental disorders such as depression, anxiety and nervousness.

    inside

    A daily dose of 500 milligrams is recommended for an adult. 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. As a result, the ingredients get into the bloodstream more quickly via the mucous membranes. To promote absorption through the oral mucosa, you should let the jelly melt under your tongue.

    Pure on the skin

    If you apply pure royal jelly to the skin, the bee product develops a kind of protective film. It creates a fresh and partially sticky feeling. As a result, the skin dries out more slowly, giving it a healthy and toned appearance.

    Royal jelly and honey give our skin moisture and elasticity

    Capsules as a cure

    A regimen 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.Physically and mentally stressed people and older people who are suffering from dwindling strength or are showing signs of aging should take the cure at least twice a year.

    Recipes with royal jelly

    Royal jelly in its pure and fresh form can be further processed in many 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 that you can use as a spread or to sweeten drinks.

    Make your own royal jelly cream

    For dry skin, a homemade face cream made from nourishing ingredients is recommended. 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 firmness. The royal jelly can also be mixed in at will or in a ratio of 1:2.

    Preparation:

    1. Melt wax in a whistling pot
    2. remove from the stove and stir in the oil
    3. Mix in the royal jelly
    4. Pour the cooled ointment into a jar

    tips

    You should not mix too large amounts, because the queen bee juice spoils very quickly.

    Golden milk with royal jelly

    This drink not only puts you in a good mood because of its color. The ingredients come together to create a healthy cocktail that can be enjoyed 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 2 teaspoons of bee pollen and use a whisk to beat the milk until fluffy.

    tips

    The milk can be enjoyed hot or cold and is effective against respiratory diseases. For a fine vanilla aroma, you can boil the milk with a vanilla bean.

    frequently asked Questions

    What is royal jelly?

    It is a forage juice produced by special glands in the bees' upper jaws. Pollen and honey are used as raw materials. The whitish-yellow and viscous 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. They benefit from an enormous growth spurt.

    It is known that queens are significantly larger, can produce up to 2,000 eggs a day and have a longer lifespan than workers. Because of these observations, royal jelly is used to support health.

    How does royal jelly taste?

    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 acidic with a slightly bitter note.

    How should royal jelly be stored?

    Royal jelly should be kept 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 keep the queen bee juice for about half a year. The shelf life increases if you freeze the jelly. In this state, you can store it for two to three years without any loss of quality. However, the mass should not be thawed more than once.

    What is royal jelly good for?

    Royal jelly can contribute to better well-being and awaken spirits. Many people report an improvement in mental status. The natural product is said to help against loss of appetite and to help ensure that the food consumed is digested more effectively. The formation of red blood cells can be positively influenced by regular intake. Royal jelly normalizes blood pressure and helps with diabetes. The active ingredients have a positive effect on the complexion.

    Are there any side effects from taking royal jelly?

    Various reactions of the immune system or other complaints can occur. People who already suffer from asthma or are allergic to insect bites are often affected. Hypersensitive people should therefore avoid the dietary supplements. In the worst case, anaphylactic shock can occur or the asthma worsens acutely. Other side effects include vomiting, diarrhea and a drop in blood pressure.

    How is royal jelly made?

    In order to get to the valuable feed juice, the bees have to be tricked. They only produce the secretion when a queen larva grows up. Beekeepers encourage workers to increase production by inserting modified plastic comb into the hive. In each of these cells there is a larva, which is then fed with the secretion. After only three days, the cells have to be removed again so that the juice can be sucked out. Special devices are required for this.

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Animals in the garden