History

• Professor Remy Chauvin, who was later named chair of ethology at La Sorbonne and co-founded the French League of Animal Rights, recommended this bee food for human medicinal purposes in 1922. The ancient Chinese and Egyptians also used royal jelly.
  
  

Components

• Royal jelly is a white liquid composed of 12 to 15 percent protein, 10 to 16 percent sugars, 3 to 6 percent fats, B vitamins, pheromones, free amino acids, minerals, antibacterial and antimicrobial components. Royal jelly supplements are available in capsule, liquid and cream forms.
  
  

Speculation

• Anecdotal tales of royal jelly's benefits when ingested by humans include enhanced immunity, arthritis and multiple sclerosis prevention, slows signs of aging, heals bone fractures, lowers cholesterol, alleviates cardiovascular ailments and remedies liver disease, pancreatitis, insomnia, fatigue, ulcers and digestive and skin disorders.
  
  Claimed benefits specific to men's health include increased sexual appetite, improved sexual performance, and prevention of male baldness and prostate cancer.
  
  

Proven Benefits

• According to the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), studies confirm that the lO-hydroxydecanoic acid in royal jelly exhibits fungicidal, antiviral and antibiotic activity against salmonella, e. coli and staphylococcus. The rest of the claims, including men's health claims, have not been proven.
  
  

Warning

• Asthmatics and those with allergies to honey and other bee products may experience dangerous reactions to royal jelly. Hives and anaphylaxis have been reported. Children, pregnant and breastfeeding women should not use royal jelly.