The buzz on royal jelly

By Karen Appold

Everyone knows that bees make honey, which is touted for its health benefits. But did you know that bees also produce royal jelly, which also has medicinal properties? It is actually rich in antioxidants, minerals and proteins.

Royal jelly is a milky secretion produced by the glands of worker honey bees and is fed to select bee larva to develop and grow into queen bees. As a result, queen bees are about twice the size as worker bees. While female worker bees are infertile, queen bees lay a whopping 2,000 eggs a day. Queens also live up to eight years; 40 times longer than worker bees.

Here’s a look at some of the ways that royal jelly may benefit your health.

Arthritis — Royal jelly’s anti-inflammatory properties make it an ideal supplement for people with arthritis. Apply it topically or ingest it internally.

Fertility — Some people claim that royal jelly can improve the quality of a woman’s eggs. Consequently, it may improve fertility, as well as the health of reproductive organs. This supplement may also decrease pre-menstrual syndrome symptoms by balancing hormone levels.

Heart — Some people believe that royal jelly can raise good cholesterol (HDL) and lower bad cholesterol (LDL). This will decrease the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases — Because it stimulates brain stem cell growth, some tout royal jelly as a supplement that can prevent these diseases.

Skin — Royal jelly may protect your skin from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet radiation. By damaging collagen that supports skin, radiation can induce wrinkling. The sun can also cause brown splotches to form on your skin. Royal jelly may stimulate collagen to grow and prevent this discoloration from occurring.

Other uses — Royal jelly is also touted for helping people with autoimmune disorders, bone growth, cancer, insomnia and fighting infections.

Forms — You can consume royal jelly as a pill or you can eat the fresh jelly. If you’re allergic to bee stings or honey products, use caution with this product.

Karen Appold is a medical writer in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania.