Royal Jelly

Royal Jelly is used for menopause symptoms. It is a substance that is released by worker bees.

Royal Jelly Overview

Reviewed: July 26, 2014
Updated: 

Royal jelly is a substance containing sugars, fats, and vitamins that is secreted by worker bees. Its purpose is to provide nutrition to the queen and other bees.

Orally, royal jelly is used most often for menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis prevention, and hardening of the arteries.

Topically, royal jelly is used most often to promote healthy, youthful skin.

Orally, royal jelly is thought to work in part by supplementing natural estrogen levels, which are often low in postmenopausal women. Estrogen-like substances found in royal jelly can prevent or ease estrogen-related diseases in postmenopausal women such as cardiovascular disease, menopause-associated bone loss, and menopausal symptoms. 

Topically, royal jelly is thought to work by enhancing the body’s production of collagen.

Royal jelly is thought to work in several different ways, but more evidence is needed to determine how royal jelly produces its effects.

When taken orally, there are no reports of significant side effects with royal jelly in non-allergic individuals.

When used topically, royal jelly can cause skin irritation or allergic reaction.

Royal Jelly Cautionary Labels

precautions

Royal jelly is used most often for menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis prevention, hardening of the arteries, asthma, liver disease, tumor prevention, and boosting the immune system.

Royal jelly has not been proven effective for all of the uses listed above. Royal jelly may be used for other conditions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Side Effects of Royal Jelly

When taken orally, there are no reports of significant side effects with royal jelly in non-allergic individuals.

When used topically, royal jelly can cause skin irritation or allergic reaction.

This is not a complete list of royal jelly side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

 

Royal Jelly Interactions

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

  • Warfarin

This is not a complete list of royal jelly drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Royal Jelly Precautions

Special precautions & warnings:

  • Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using royal jelly if you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or trying to become pregnant.
  • Royal jelly intake can cause asthma and other allergic reaction symptoms (eczema, runny nose, or hives) in individuals allergic to bees or bee products.
  • Royal jelly intake may increase risk of bleeding. The reason for this effect is unknown. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking royal jelly if you take warfarin.