Generic name: royal jelly [ROY-al-JEL-ee]
Drug class: Herbal products
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Sep 29, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.
What is royal jelly?
Royal jelly is a milky-white secretion produced by worker bees that helps nurture development of the queen bee. Royal jelly is also known as Apis mellifera, Bee Saliva, Bee Spit, Gelée Royale, Honey Bee Milk, Honey Bee's Milk, Jalea Real, Lait des Abeilles, or Royal Bee Jelly.
Royal jelly should not be confused with apitherapy, bee pollen, or bee venom.
Royal jelly has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in treating menopausal symptoms. Royal jelly may have been combined with other plants or extracts in a specific preparation to treat this condition.
Royal jelly has also been used to treat hay fever. However, research has shown that royal jelly may not be effective in treating this condition.
Other uses not proven with research have included treating premenstrual syndrome, infertility, high cholesterol, diabetic foot ulcers, stomach ulcer, pancreatitis, liver or kidney disease, asthma, skin disorders, and many other conditions.
It is not certain whether royal jelly is effective in treating any medical condition. Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA. Royal jelly should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.
Royal jelly is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
Royal jelly may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.
Related/similar drugs
Ginkgo Biloba, turmeric, milk thistle
Royal jelly side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Although not all side effects are known, royal jelly is thought to be possibly safe when taken for a short period of time.
Stop using royal jelly and call your healthcare provider at once if you have:
stomach pain with diarrhea that is bloody; or
bronchospasm (wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing).
Common side effects of royal jelly may include:
itching, irritation, or rash when applied to the scalp.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
Follow all directions on the product label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use this product if you are allergic to royal jelly or if you have:
asthma or allergies.
Ask a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider if it is safe for you to use this product if you have:
low blood pressure; or
skin irritation or swelling.
It is not known whether royal jelly will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are pregnant.
It is not known whether royal jelly passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Royal jelly is thought to be possibly safe in children when taken for up to 6 months. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice.
How should I take royal jelly?
When considering the use of herbal supplements, seek the advice of your doctor. You may also consider consulting a practitioner who is trained in the use of herbal/health supplements.
If you choose to use royal jelly, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. Do not use more of this product than is recommended on the label.
Do not use different forms (pills, liquid, tonic, cream, etc) of royal jelly at the same time without medical advice. Using different formulations together increases the risk of an overdose.
Do not take topical (for the skin) royal jelly by mouth. Topical forms of this product are for use only on the skin.
Call your doctor if the condition you are treating with royal jelly does not improve, or if it gets worse while using this product.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra royal jelly to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking royal jelly?
Avoid taking royal jelly with other herbal/health supplements that can lower your blood pressure. This includes andrographis, casein protein, cat's claw, coenzyme Q-10, fish oil, L-arginine, lycium, stinging nettle, and theanine.
What other drugs will affect royal jelly?
Do not take royal jelly without medical advice if you are using any of the following medications:
warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); or
blood pressure medication.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with royal jelly, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this product guide.
More about royal jelly
- Compare alternatives
- Reviews (1)
- Drug class: herbal products
- En español
Related treatment guides
- Herbal Supplementation
Further information
- Consult with a licensed healthcare professional before using any herbal/health supplement. Whether you are treated by a medical doctor or a practitioner trained in the use of natural medicines/supplements, make sure all your healthcare providers know about all of your medical conditions and treatments.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circ*mstances.
Medical Disclaimer
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