Royal jelly, the queen bee food milk which is nutritious for health

Apart from honey, propolis, and beehive, it turns out that bee milk or royal jelly is also beneficial for health, you know. What is royal jelly? Is it really beneficial for health? Let's take a look at the health benefits of bee-produced milk.

What is royal jelly?

Royal jelly is milk produced by honey bee colonies. In addition, this bee secretion is also used as food for the queen bee. Many beekeepers who take this queen bee food to be traded because it is said to be nutritious for health.

Before being produced as a health supplement, bee milk has been used for a variety of traditional medicines, including to help increase hair growth and reduce wrinkles on the face.

Meanwhile, in the history of Chinese medicine, bee milk is widely used as a drink to help longevity, prevent disease, and increase the arousal of vital organs.

This bee milk contains a mixture of water, collagen, and various enzymes and hormones. These components make many people assume that bee milk can bring many benefits to humans. Nowadays, royal jelly can be found easily anywhere. These bee secretions are available in various forms, ranging from fresh royal jelly, capsules, or powder.

What are the benefits of royal jelly?

1. Contains many nutrients, especially vitamin B complex

Although consisting mostly of carbohydrates, protein and fat, bee milk also contains many nutrients, one of which is vitamin B. Some types of B vitamins that are usually present in bee diets include:

Thiamine (B1)
Riboflavin (B2)
Pantothenic acid (B5)
Pyridoxine (B6)
Niacin (B3)
Folic acid (B9)
Inositol (B8)
Biotin (B7)

2. Increase the body's immunity, especially against allergies

According to a 2001 study published in the journal International Immunopharmacology, royal jelly can help boost the immune system. In the study, it was stated that the response of histamine to allergens after eating royal jelly can be suppressed so that this can help relieve allergy symptoms. However, further research is needed regarding the benefits of royal jelly in overcoming allergy symptoms.

3. Increase collagen levels for skin health

A study conducted by Kyung Hee University in Korea reports that taking royal jelly supplements can reduce the risk of premature aging of the skin due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation. This antiaging effect on the skin is assessed based on how much collagen is and the thickness of the skin tissue. Eating food from bee secretions can get you procollagen type I, which can reduce the effects of premature aging on your skin.

4. Helps heal wounds

Honey has long been known to help heal wounds. It is also approved in studies that reveal that bee milk has significant benefits in healing wounds. A study to test the benefits of this one was carried out by applying royal jelly to the wound and then leaving it for 48 hours. The result, there is a wound that closes and dries faster. In addition, the lipid levels in the wound also increase so this can make the wound heal faster.

5. Helps lower blood pressure

Quoted from Healthline, royal jelly can protect the heart and help lower blood pressure in the body. Previously, there was research that showed that there was a protein in bee milk that was able to relax the vascular smooth muscle cells and arteries. That is why, the queen bee food is also said to be able to slowly lower blood pressure. However, further research is needed to understand the relationship of this queen bee diet and its effect on blood pressure

6. For hair care

Bee milk has been used to improve hair health and promote hair growth for a long time. This is due to the high biotin content in it. Biotin is a vitamin that triggers keratin which is useful for promoting hair growth.

How many doses can be taken?

Royal jelly generally comes in powder or tablet form. But beekeepers and bee therapists are more likely to drink fresh bee milk straight from the hive. They think that swallowing bee milk directly can accelerate its absorption into the blood.

However, if you are taking royal jelly tablets or powder, the maximum recommended dose is 50 to 300 milligrams daily. However, it's a good idea to consult a doctor before consuming milk or any drink for health.

Royal jelly side effects

Royal jelly is possibly safe for people who do not have an allergy to honey protein. However, for those with allergies, the use of this material can trigger serious allergic reactions such as asthma, swollen throat, and sores in the large intestine accompanied by abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea.

The bee secretions applied to the skin can also cause inflammation and allergic rashes, especially when applied to the scalp. According to the Institute of Medical Research in Malaysia, bee milk allergy can be severe and in some cases life-threatening.

Because there are some side effects to worry about, it's a good idea to consult your doctor before consuming royal jelly.