What is Royal jelly?
The secretion of worker bees, known as royal jelly, is milky white and helps to nourish the development of queen bees. Royal jelly can also be called Apis mellifera (bee saliva), Bee Spit, Gelee Royale (honey bee milk), Honey Bee's Milk, or Royal Bee Jelly. Royal jelly is not to be confused with bee pollen or bee venom. In alternative medicine, royal jelly is used to treat menopausal-like symptoms. In a specific treatment, royal jelly was combined with extracts or other plants. Hay fever has also been treated with royal jelly. Royal jelly is not effective for treating this condition, according to research. Research has not proved that other uses, such as treating infertility or premenstrual symptoms, can be used to treat high cholesterol, diabetes, ulcers of the stomach, pancreatitis, and liver disease.
Royal jelly may not be effective for treating medical conditions. The FDA has not approved the use of royal jelly as a medicine. The FDA does not recommend that you use royal jelly in place of any medication prescribed by your doctor. Royal jelly is sold as an herbal supplement. Many herbal compounds do not meet regulated manufacturing standards and some supplements available on the market have been discovered containing toxic drugs or metals that pose health hazards. To minimize the risk, herbal or health supplements must be purchased from a reputable source. This product guide does not list all possible uses for royal jelly.
Similar/related drugs
Turmeric, Ginkgo Biloba
Side effects of Royal jelly
If you experience symptoms indicative of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing or swelling of lips, face, tongue or throat - seek medical assistance immediately! Royal jelly may be safe for short periods of time, even though not all the side effects have been identified. If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop using royal jelly immediately and contact your doctor.
- Having diarrhea or stomach pain
- Bronchospasm is an acute form of chest tightening which leads to chest pain, difficulty in breathing and wheezing.
Some of the common side effects associated with royal jelly include:
- When applied to the scalp, itching or irritation may result.
There may be other side effects. Call your physician if experiencing side effects; for further medical guidance contact 1-800-FDA-1088 (the FDA can be reached directly for reporting side effects).
Warnings
Please read all instructions on the label or package of your product. Inform your healthcare provider about your medical conditions, your allergies, and the medicines you are using.
Before you take this drug
This product should not be used if:
- Asthma or allergies.
If you are suffering from:
- Low blood pressure
- Skin irritation or swelling
Royal jelly is not known to harm unborn babies. If you are pregnant, do not use royal jelly without consulting your doctor. Royal jelly does not pass into breast milk. It is also unknown if royal jelly can harm a baby who is nursing. If you are breastfeeding a child, do not use this product. Royal jelly may be safe for infants aged six months or younger when administered under medical supervision, however any herbal or health supplement given directly to children without first consulting their pediatrician should be avoided.
How to take Royal jelly?
Consult your doctor before using herbal supplements. Consult a health practitioner trained in herbal or health supplement use. Use royal jelly only as directed by the manufacturer or your doctor. Use only the recommended amount of royal jelly. Use royal jelly in different forms (pills or liquids, tonics, creams, etc.) only after consulting a doctor. Combining different formulations increases the risk of an overdose. Royal jelly topical (for skin) should not be taken orally. Topical royal jelly is only for skin use. If the condition that you are treating with royal jelly doesn't improve or worsens, call your doctor. Store at room temperature away from excessive heat or moisture, keeping in mind any specific guidelines or instructions provided for storage.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If your next scheduled dose is just around the corner, forget the missed one and take only what's due for you. Don't use extra royal jelly to make up for the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Reach out immediately if a poison emergency arises - call 1-800-222-1222, for instance - or seek immediate medical care.
What should be avoided?
Royal jelly should not be taken with herbal or health supplements that lower blood pressure. These include andrographis (cat's claw), casein protein, fish oil, and coenzyme.
Interaction with other drug
You should not take royal jelly without consulting your doctor if you use any of the medications listed below:
- Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven);
- Blood pressure medications
This list is incomplete. Royal jelly may interact with other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.This product guide does not cover every possible interaction.
