Royal jelly

Royal jelly is a yellowish-white, viscous substance with a sour, slightly astringent taste that worker bees secrete through the hypopharyngeal glands to feed the queen and larvae during the first 3 days of life.

Larvae of worker bees are only fed with royal jelly during the first three days of life, whereas for the queen (brood), royal jelly is the exclusive food. The queen therefore grows 2-3 times larger in volume than a worker bee and can live up to 50 times longer than a worker bee, with the latter living up to 6 weeks.

Most honey bees live on average about 3 years, but some can live up to 7-8 years.

Thanks to its rich composition in minerals, vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, essential acids, antioxidants, collagen,...(easily assimilated by the human body), royal jelly has numerous therapeutic properties.

Royal jelly contains almost all the substances the body needs.

Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food - (Hippocrates, the father of medicine).

Nutritional content of royal jelly:

Expert studies have shown that royal jelly is the only natural source on earth of the active substance "10-HDA Acid" and "Acetyl Choline", nutrients essential for the human body, but impossible to synthesize by the body.

10-HDA Acid

10-HDA acid is the main fatty acid 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA) - the queen bee's 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (bio-active compound).

• 10-HDA acid is found in up to 2% in royal jelly.
• 10-HDA is an active ingredient of the rennet, which, together with other substances, gives it powerful antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties, thus contributing to the fortification and proper functioning of the immune and nervous systems.
• Acid 10 HDA stimulates the production of lymphoid cells and antibodies, is a powerful stem cell regenerator and helps eliminate free radicals.
• Acid 10 HDA is easily assimilated and tolerated by the body as it does not require digestion.

Other acids: 10-hydroxydecenoic acid (10-HDDA), sebacic acid (SEA) and 4-hydroperoxy-2-decenoic acid ethyl ester (HPO-DAEE).

Composition

• 66% water;
• 13% protein;
• 14.5% carbohydrates;
• 4.5% fat.

Royal jelly contains 29 essential amino acids and their derivatives (lysine, proline, aspartic acid, valine, valine, glutamic acid, serine, glycine, glycine, threonine, alanine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, hydroxyproline, leucine, isoleucine, tryptophan, cysteine, ....), including 8 essential acids that the human body cannot produce.

Special proteins and peptides: major proteins, MRJP, royalactin, apisimin; jelleine, jellenie, royalisin, apidaecin, defensin, hymenoptaecin;

Carbohydrates: fructose, glucose, sucrose; even oligosaccharides such as: maltose, trehalose, ribose, melibiose and erloose;

Vitamins

• vitamin B
• vitamin A
• vitamin C
• vitamin D
• vitamin E
• vitamin K

Royal jelly contains the full range of B-complex vitamins: B1(thiamin), B2(riboflavin), B3(niacin), B5(pantothenic acid, the most abundant vitamin in royal jelly, the so-called anti-stress vitamin), B6(pyridoxine), B7, B8(biotin), B9(folate) and B12(cobalamin) and is considered the richest natural product in vitamin B5.

Minerals

• Copper (Cu);
• Iron (Fe);
• Phosphorus (P);
• Potassium (K);
• Sulphur (S);
• Calcium (Ca);
• Sodium (Na);
• Zinc (Zn);
• Manganese (Mn);
• Magnesium (Mg);
• Chromium (Cr).

Other nutrients

• amino acids;
• essential fatty acids;
• antioxidants;
• enzymes;
• hormones;
• collagen.

• Milk fats: lipids, phospholipids and fatty acids;
• Nucleotides: adenosine, guanosine, cytidine and iridine;
• Flavonoids: apigenin, luteolin, chrysin, acacetin, naringenin, hesperetin, hesperetin, isosakuranetin, kampferol, quercetin, pinocembrin, fisetin, ...;
• Sterols (betasitosterol, campesterol, desmosterol, etc.);
• Enzymes (glutathione-S-transferase, 1- peroxiredoxin, glucozo-oxidase, phosphatase and cholinesterase);
• Acetylcholine - a neurotransmitter called the memory molecule;
• Polyphenols;
• Pollen;
• Organic acids: lactic acid, gluconic acid, malic acid, citric acid, ...;
• Heterocyclic and other compounds, including an insulin-like substance.

Effects and benefits of royal jelly

• elixir of youth, has anti-aging/anti-aging effect, increases longevity;
• strengthens the immune system and improves the body's defense mechanisms;
• vitalizes the brain, stimulates intellectual performance, restores nerve cells, improves memory, adjuvant for headaches, insomnia, good for Alzheimer's patients;
• slows down degenerative processes;
• general energizing tonic;
• combats physical and mental fatigue, increases resistance to fatigue, physical and intellectual exertion, combats states of fatigue and drowsiness caused by seasonal changes, spring and fall asthenia;
• has powerful antioxidant properties, which annihilate the action of free radicals;
• combats stress, depression, nervous anorexia; reduces oxidative stress;
• contributes to restful sleep;
• improves heart activity: cardiac tonic, energizing, vaso-dilator and hypotensive;
• regenerates heart cells, cleanses the blood, lowers high blood pressure;
• reduces cholesterol and triglycerides and prevents their deposition on blood vessel walls;
• natural broad-spectrum antibiotic;
• antibacterial, antiviral properties;
• good in cold and flu, staphylococci, streptococci;
• good for respiratory disorders (bronchitis, asthma, ...);
• improves the functions of the digestive system through its regenerating effect on the lining of the digestive tract;
• stimulates metabolism;
• contributes to weight loss;
• increases appetite;
• decreases gastric acidity;
• adjuvant in the treatment of gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers;
• detoxifies the liver; nutritive, antiviral and hepatocyte regenerating action;
• biostimulating, energizing and vitaminizing, nourishing liver and pancreatic cells;
• useful in acute and chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis;
• lowers prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and improves quality of life in men suffering from prostate adenoma;
• has antiviral effect in viral hepatitis B and C;
• corrects hormonal imbalances;
• ideal in gynecological disorders;
• combats infertility in women and men by regulating hormone levels, reducing inflammation and increasing sexual desire;
• stimulates reproductive function (supports fertility);
• good regulator of ovarian hormones;
• normalizes the function of the adrenal glands, responsible for androgen production and positive effects on the testicles which produce testosterone;
• relieves menstrual disorders and post-menopausal syndrome;
• adjuvant in urinary infections or cystitis;
• beneficial in diabetes mellitus: lowers blood glucose and blood lipoprotein levels;
• used successfully in dermatologic disorders;
• used in cosmetics: excellent for nourishing and regenerating the skin, as it is rich in collagen;
• prevents premature skin ageing;
• eliminates signs of fatigue;
• a real ally for hair and nails thanks to its high vitamin B content; slows hair loss;
• stimulates collagen production, essential for beautiful skin;
• helps to relieve dry eye syndrome and increase tear production in people with this problem;
• beneficial in the treatment of eczema, burns or to accelerate the healing of simple or infected wounds;
• helps fight inflammatory processes; decreases C-reactive protein levels (inflammatory marker) while increasing adiponectin (anti-inflammatory marker);
• modulates the production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines (interleukin-8, interleukin 1-beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α));
• reduces systemic inflammation, including neuro-inflammation and suppresses the release of inflammatory mediators);
• potent anti-inflammatory, reducing inflammatory pain, arthritis, back pain and osteoporosis;
• helps in the fight against cancer: has anti-cancer/anti-tumor properties; prevents the formation of cancerous tumors;
• may lessen side effects of chemotherapy;
• promotes calcium absorption by the body;
• speeds up wound healing;

How do we store royal jelly?

Royal jelly is a living food, sensitive to external factors (light, temperature, air). It is stored in the refrigerator at temperatures between 2-4 degrees C. Some beekeepers freeze the royal jelly, but this is not a very good option and is best kept in the refrigerator. The shelf life of Royal Jelly is about 6 months, refrigerated at 2-4 degrees C.

How do we choose royal jelly?

It is best to purchase a fresh/raw/crude royal jelly from certified shops with refrigerated storage conditions or from reputable, reliable beekeepers who respect the storage and keeping conditions. It should be delivered in isothermal packaging. Another important aspect is to know the percentage of 10-HDA acid. This is usually listed on the label and it is good that the percentage of 10-HDA acid is at least 1.4%.

How do we administer royal jelly?

It can be administered in its pure state as well as in different beekeeping recipes. It is also available in capsule or phial form. It can be used both internally and externally.

Internal use of royal jelly

Royal jelly, consumed pure, as is:

In order to consume Royal Jelly in its pure state, you need to know that it is sensitive to light, temperature and air. It should be stored in the refrigerator in small glass containers to avoid as far as possible multiple contact with the factors that affect it: light, temperature and air. Also use only ceramic, wooden, glass or plastic spoons, and each time you put the spoon in the container, it must be perfectly clean and dry. ⚠ Changes its properties in contact with metal.

For maintenance of health, low immunity (fall-winter), take 1 gram sublingually, in the morning on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before a meal. A 2-3 month course with 1-2 month breaks is recommended.

In exceptional, chronic situations, the dose may be tripled depending on the condition and on the apitherapist's instructions.

Matca milk may also be administered to children over 3 years of age, but the dose should be halved (0.5 grams sublingually in the morning, immediately after breakfast).

Pure, raw Royal jelly should not be swallowed, but held under the tongue until absorbed!

Royal jelly eaten in a mixture with other bee products:

The most effective way to consume Royal jelly is to combine it in various bee products (honey, propolis, pollen, apilarnil, ...), because pure Royal jelly is sensitive to light, temperature and air. In these combinations, royal jelly will not lose its properties. Do not combine it directly with alcohol, and here I am referring to propolis tincture. If we want to combine it with the propolis tincture, then we necessarily use honey, and first we combine the propolis tincture with the honey and only at the end do we incorporate the royal jelly. You can also use non-alcoholic propolis tincture, but this is not as effective.

Similarly, keep these mixtures refrigerated and avoid contact with light, temperature and air as much as possible

• Mixed with bee honey: 10 grams of jasmine to 500 grams of acacia honey;
• bee cocktail with honey, pollen, propolis and royal jelly;

Take 2-3 teaspoons/day, 30 minutes before meals.

A 2-3 month course with 1-2 month breaks is recommended.

⚠ Avoid consumption in the evening, after 6 p.m., as its tonic-energizing effect may cause insomnia!

External use of royal jelly

Externally, royal jelly can be used in various creams, masks for skin health maintenance or anti-inflammatory conditions. Generally external use is largely in the cosmetics industry. Royal jelly can also be applied directly to the skin in cosmetic treatments, either for skin or hair.

Did you know that...?

• Royal jelly is produced by the hypopharyngeal glands of worker bees;
• Royal jelly is the richest natural product in vitamin B5;
• Royal jelly is the most valuable and nutritious product of the hive;
• Royal jelly is the exclusive food for the queen of the hive (matca);
• Royal jelly is fed to the larvae during the first 3 days of life;
• The queen hatches from the cell in 16 days, the bee in 21 days and the drone in 24 days;
• Matca can live on average between 3 and 5 years, due to exclusive feeding with royal jelly, while bees live on average 40 days;
• Matca can lay up to 2000 eggs per day;
• Royal jelly is the only food source on which the hive queen feeds all her life;
• A Royal Jelly is considered to be of good quality if the concentration of 10 HDA acid is at least 1.4%;
• Studies say that 3% of the composition of royal jelly has not yet been discovered and is still being studied;
• Royal jelly also stands out for the high level of protein it contains, putting it on a par with walnuts, almonds, condensed milk or eggs (it contains a significant amount of amino acids and essential acids);
• Pure, raw, raw but not swallowed, pure but held under the tongue until absorbed!
• The ancient Greeks and Egyptians considered royal jelly to be a miraculous product (the elixir of youth) that would allow them to live a life without aging.