If each of us has already heard of this white gold made by bees for its virtues and its multiple benefits for our health, the royal jelly often remains mysterious without an experienced beekeeper to enlighten us. We often do not know what royal jelly is made of and we do not suspect the variety, richness and quality of its properties: let us discover together some of its assets and benefits.
What is royal jelly?
What is described as royal jelly corresponds to the most valuable active ingredient produced by bees. Beekeepers spot it very easily because it is visually distinguishable from other elements of the hive, by its appearance, texture and smell. It is a natural product of white color tending towards yellow, with a pearly appearance in some of its aspects. Its texture is more opaque than honey, and less translucent. However, its consistency remains liquid, its substance creamy and if its taste surprises at first, our taste buds quickly get used to its acidic and spicy side.
Royal jelly, a very rare and very expensive natural commodity
There royal jelly is considered the rarest product of the hive, and therefore the most prized. In fact, a beekeeper harvests on average between 10 and 30 grams of royal jelly per harvest, and a healthy hive therefore only produces 300 grams to 1,000 grams of royal jelly per year. This explains its very high selling price! The price of French organic royal jelly can reach 2,500 euros per kilogram!
Origin of royal jelly and function within the hive
There royal jelly actually corresponds to the product produced by the glandular system of the type of bees called "nurses". Thanks to their mandibular and hypopharyngeal glands, they transform the pollen collected by foraging bees into royal jelly, rather than making honey. Only the youngest workers in the hive are then able to produce the famous liquid, in addition to the honey that ensures the colony's subsistence during the winter. Beyond a period between the fifth and fourteenth day of their life, they pass the baton to the youngest, who will become workers in their turn.
Nicknamed "bee's milk" because of its appearance and consistency, the royal jelly has the main function of feeding the colony: it is the food of the larvae during the first days of their existence, and that of the bee which will become queen for the duration of its life. This privilege allows the queen to ensure subsistence and to live up to forty times longer than her congeners (up to six years!). Indeed, its high content of a certain type of fatty acid, called 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10HDA), is at the origin of the formation of the uterus in these very young bees, thus allowing the transition to their full development.
In addition to this fatty acid, the high-quality protein called "royalactin" allows the larvae to differentiate themselves in their future functions. Beyond the third day of their existence, only those of them that continue to benefit from this specific protein intake will become queens. This pearly treasure therefore plays a central role in the formation and renewal of the colony.
The composition of royal jelly
Its very balanced substance makes it the crucial and central element of the functioning of the hive. It is composed of between 50% and 65% of water. Its lipid content (4.5% on average), its carbohydrate content (14.5% on average), mainly fructose and easily assimilated glucose, and its protein content (13% on average) are excellent from a nutritional point of view for bees but also for humans.
Furthermore, it is also a powerful concentrate of eight essential amino acids (valine, lysine, threonine, leucine, isoleucine, tryptophan, phenylalanine, methionine), trace elements and vitamins. It is known in particular for being extremely rich in vitamin B5.
Royal jelly, a natural remedy to treat and regenerate your skin and be in better general health
Recognized as one of the best natural allies of our body in the long term, its multiple properties as well as its very complete composition, allow its consumption for various purposes: therapeutic but also cosmetic and aesthetic.
Long reserved for kings, emperors and dignitaries who enjoyed the privilege of accessing the best care, its use has now become widespread and diversified. Lovers of natural health and organic treatments are crazy about it, and such attraction is explained by the extent of the benefits that royal jelly offer.
It has now been proven that this rare and precious commodity has very positive effects on the general well-being of our body and helps to strengthen the organism. Among the many minerals it contains, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and iron are essential nutrients that our body needs daily. These active ingredients contribute to maintaining the optimal functioning of our body and, thanks to chemical reactions, allow the production of energy, growth, but also the regulation of mood and nerve flow. Sometimes, an unbalanced diet or poor quality foods can degrade our nutrient intake and cause disturbances in our body, even without us realizing it. A cure based on royal jelly can remedy such deficiencies.
Like honey or propolis, the royal jelly contains a majority of B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B9), but it has the particularity of concentrating them more. Validated by experts from the European Commission, its properties can be used without any risk to our health. Coming from a natural origin without any intermediate chemical transformation, they are better assimilated by our body and thus more interesting than synthetic products. Most royal jellies are now patented organic, a guarantee that the ecosystem is not polluted by industrial inputs. This is particularly the case for royal jelly biological than La Reine Capricieuse uses to produce its care for the skin, such as the Pro-Age Cellular Eye Contouring, based on 100% natural and French products. This care will give you a radiant look, in addition to protect and regenerate the skin fragile area around your eyes.
Among the many benefits of royal jelly, the main ones concern:
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- Energy metabolism (B1, B2, B3, B5)
- Proper functioning of the heart (B1)
- Proper functioning of the nervous system (B1, B3)
- Good vision (B2)
- Maintaining the good condition of the skin and mucous membranes (B2)
- Regulation of oxidative stress and reduction of physical fatigue (B2, B3, B5, B9)
- Normal brain performance (B5, B9).
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When and how to take royal jelly?
To take full advantage of the positive effects and virtues of the royal jelly on our body and our health, the most common dosage is to favor taking it in the form of a cure. Indeed, the duration of a cure is approximately one month. This is the time needed by the body to best assimilate the famous product, in order to strengthen its immune defenses and its overall functioning. Pure, in the form of ampoules or freeze-dried in the form of lozenges, it is presented as a healthy and natural food supplement of very high quality. It can be taken at any time of the day, when the need arises to alleviate fatigue or temporary stress. Its taste being somewhat atypical, slightly acrid and which may displease some, it is possible to consume it diluted and to take it in other forms: in a syrup or mixed with other plants or beehive products such as propolis or honey.
As winter approaches, there's nothing like a natural synergy to strengthen your immune defenses and prepare your body for exposure to the cold, viruses, and fatigue. royal jelly It combines wonderfully with propolis, honey, but also with ginseng or acerola. The resulting cocktail of vitamins is a powerful ally to help your body fight against external attacks. Already used in the Orient for several centuries, the preparation of invigorating drinks based on these elements is now offered in many organic stores.
Contraindications of royal jelly
Although there are few contraindications for this type of very rare natural product, some precautions should nevertheless be taken. Several scientific studies have shown that people who are allergic to beehive products such as pollen, honey or bee stings are also likely to be allergic to royal jelly. In this case, it is best to start a treatment with a minimal dosage before gradually increasing it if no signs of allergy appear during the first few days. Furthermore, combining a jelly treatment with other natural supplements known to lower blood pressure may increase the risk of hypotension. Its use is therefore not recommended for people suffering from hypertension.
