What is bee jelly

Royal jelly is a unique product of the vital activity of bees and beekeeping. It has nothing to do with milk, although with its help bees effectively feed their larvae. Due to the high nutritional value of this substance and its rich composition, it is called “royal jelly”.

What is royal jelly

One of the most hardworking insects with a strict social structure are bees. Each member of the “family” clearly knows his place and performs his duties depending on his species and age. Royal jelly is produced only by worker bees after reaching 15 days of age.

What does royal jelly look like?

Royal jelly is a homogeneous, opaque creamy mass, with a sourish-pleasant smell with a honey tint. The color is usually white, with a yellowish tint, or slightly creamy. The taste is slightly burning, astringent, and leaves a slight tingling sensation on the tongue. Young nurse bees produce it using special glands in the pharyngeal compartment.

How to make royal jelly

Obtaining bee jelly is a rather labor-intensive process. The most productive period of production will be the time of intensive development of families (May-June). The beekeeper interrupts the process of growing the larvae and removes the food that the worker bees have laid down.

Traditional way. Queens are selected from one or more bee colonies (queenless colonies are created), then the milk is collected from the queen cells with a special pharmaceutical glass spoon. After collection, the queen cell is destroyed, and the uterus is returned to its place (larvae are 4 days old).

In mass production, the essence remains the same, only the production methods change. They create nurse families that continuously raise queens from the larvae. When the worker bees accumulate the greatest amount of jelly in the queen cells (4 days of age), the larvae are removed and the royal jelly is collected. Then the larvae are inoculated into these places and the bees continue production. This process can be extended beyond three weeks.

Generally speaking, the technology consists of 4 stages:

1. To raise queens, larvae are inoculated into previously prepared wax bowls (located on frames).
2. They create families-educators.
3. The queen cells are removed directly with the frames, and new ones with grafted larvae are put in their place.
4. Bee milk is placed in special containers and prepared for storage.

Composition of milk

Royal jelly contains the main set of substances necessary for the development and functioning of a living organism (vitamins, fatty acids, amino acids, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, enzymes and hormone-like substances). For the most part it consists of vitamins and proteins.

Chemical composition:

• water 60 – 70%;
• mass fraction of dry substances 30 – 40%;
• proteins 10 – 18%;
• carbohydrates 9 – 15%.

Contains a significant amount of vitamins, the main of which are: B₁ (thiamine) 1 – 17 mg/kg; IN₂ (riboflavin) 5 – 24 mg/kg. Also B vitamins₅, IN₆, folic acid, free fatty acids (about 15 types), hormones (estradiol, testosterone, progesterone) and many other useful substances.

Thanks to such a rich composition, royal jelly is a biologically active, nutritious bee product of high quality. It is of great importance for humans - it has a stimulating effect on the nervous system, normalizes blood pressure, has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system and much more.

What are the benefits of royal jelly?

The beneficial properties of royal jelly are extensive.

1. Royal jelly increases the efficiency of the digestive organs.
2. Allows calcium to be more easily absorbed, which significantly speeds up recovery from bone injuries.
3. Stimulates the nervous system, improves memory, increases resistance to depression.
4. Has a bactericidal effect. Resists viruses. Kills the tuberculosis bacillus.
5. Activates the regeneration system, which promotes faster wound healing and suppression of inflammatory processes.
6. Strengthens the immune system, and this, in turn, reduces the likelihood of cancer cells appearing.
7. In people suffering from diabetes, it maintains glucose levels at the proper level.
8. Increases hemoglobin levels.
9. Prevents the development of atherosclerosis.
10. Increases endurance during heavy physical activity.
11. It has a positive effect on the functioning of the thyroid gland and adrenal glands, normalizes the balance of hormones and improves the quality of reproductive function.
12. It counteracts bronchial spasms and expands their lumen.
13. Improves vision.
14. Normalizes metabolism, which has a beneficial effect on the development of muscle mass and fat burning.
15. During pregnancy, it has a positive effect on the development of the fetus.
16. In combination with other substances it can prevent toxicosis.

These are just the most well-known medicinal properties of royal jelly; in fact, there are many more. Due to the rich content of important elements and protein, this bee product is indispensable for people of any generation.

Harm from royal jelly

The bee product has no harmful effects, but one must remember that the incorrect and thoughtless use of even the most harmless substance can lead to disastrous results. In addition, royal jelly is a very powerful biostimulant, so you cannot be sure whether it will be beneficial or harmful.

What does royal jelly treat?

Royal jelly can be effectively used to treat the following conditions:

• disorders of the cardiovascular system;
• diseases associated with ENT organs;
• mental pathologies;
• diseases associated with the genitourinary system;
• gastrointestinal problems;
• skin diseases;
• eye diseases;
• dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system.

How to take royal jelly

Bee jelly has a wide variety of beneficial properties, but in order to get benefits for the body, you must adhere to existing standards and schemes.

Today, there are two states of milk in which it is used: native and adsorbed.

Bee jelly in its native form is a product that is cooled immediately after extraction. It is laid out in sealed containers (preferably in doses) and deep dry frozen.

Milk in adsorbed form is a dried product that is distributed in the form of powder, granules, tablets or other medicinal forms.

How to take royal jelly in its pure form

In its pure form, bee jelly is rarely found, however, such a bee product is a strong biostimulant. It should be taken once a day on an empty stomach 25 to 30 minutes before meals.

It is easiest to measure a single dose with a clean match. A clean match, the tip without sulfur, is immersed only 3 mm in the milk and taken out. At the same time, the required amount of milk will stick to the tip.Since the diverse composition of bee jelly can be destroyed by enzymes of the gastrointestinal tract, it should not be swallowed, but should be placed under the tongue and kept there until completely absorbed.

How to take royal jelly with honey

To prepare the bee product, you must use fresh royal jelly that has not been frozen. Milk that is light milky or has a whitish tint is selected, and the mother liquor must be intact without mold or rot. Any honey is suitable for mixing, but beekeepers prefer the liquid type of light varieties.

When mixing, they are guided by the proportion per 1 g of milk - 100 g of honey (1:100). These two products are thoroughly mixed until a homogeneous mass is obtained. Then they are laid out in glass containers and hermetically sealed.

For prevention, it is recommended to use the following dosage:

• for adults – 1 teaspoon 2 – 3 times a day;
• for children aged 1 – 6 years – 1 time per day, half a teaspoon;
• for children aged 7 – 12 years – 2 times a day, half a teaspoon;
• for children under 1 year of age – use is not recommended;
• for women during pregnancy – 1 teaspoon 2 times a day.

If it is necessary to treat any diseases, the daily dose can be increased. At the same time, the number of doses increases with a constant single dose. For example, for colds, adults use 1 teaspoon, just as for prevention, not 2-3 times a day, but 4 times.

Most often, in the production of such a product, a proportion of 1:100 is used, but a concentration of 1:50 and even 1:20 is also often found. When purchasing bee jelly, a responsible beekeeper will always advise how and in what doses the drug should be used in accordance with its concentration. They will give complete instructions for its use.

How to use royal jelly in vodka

This type of canning and consuming milk is very convenient to use and easy to prepare. Alcohol will allow you to fully preserve the beneficial elements of the “royal jelly” for several months.

To treat with vodka-based bee jelly tincture, you must first decide for what purpose it will be used. Tinctures of higher concentrations are for external use. Lower concentrations are used for internal use. Traditional proportions: 1:2, 1:10, 1:20. Since the proportions are radically different, you need to know well the content of the healing substance in the tincture:

• proportion 1:2 contains 500 mg in 1 ml of tincture;
• proportion 1:10 contains 100 mg in 1 ml of tincture;
• a proportion of 1:20 contains 50 mg in 1 ml of tincture.

Based on these concentrations, you can very easily calculate the amount of tincture for a single dose or per day.

To achieve the effect of milk absorption through the oral mucosa or for oral administration, use 15–30 mg of the medicinal substance (10–20 drops of vodka tincture with a concentration of 1:20) 3 times a day.The tincture can be diluted with boiled water (50 - 100 mg, temperature no more than 40 degrees) and drunk, but it is better to drop it into a spoon, and then place the contents under the tongue and hold there for at least 10 - 15 minutes.

To use royal jelly as a preventative against ARVI and influenza during epidemics, a tincture concentration of 1:10 is used. Moisten a cotton swab and lubricate the accessible surfaces of the nasal mucosa and its entrances.

To treat the above diseases, you need to take 20 drops of the same concentration (65 mg of bee jelly), dilute with boiled water (70 ml - 1/3 cup) and irrigate the mouth and nose 3 times a day.

A 1:2 concentration can be used to treat some skin inflammations, such as diaper rash in babies. To do this, dissolve 20 drops of the tincture in boiled water (1/3 cup) and apply several layers to the problem areas, while allowing the previous layer to dry. Carry out the procedure 2 – 3 times a day. Significant improvements will be visible the very next day.

How to take dried royal jelly from bees

Bee jelly in this form is also called adsorbed. This is a canned natural bee product. To do this, take a lactose-based mixture, which contains 3% glucose, and mix it with bee royal product (4:1), then dry it into powder or granular form. In this form, the drug can be stored for several years.

The regimen according to which such a drug should be taken and its dosage will depend on the type and degree of the disease.The doctor must prescribe this drug and measure its dosage taking into account weight, age, complexity of the disease, and medications that the patient will take in parallel. But not for treatment, but for maintenance and prevention, there is a generalized dosage regimen.

For children aged 3–12 years, take 0.5 g before meals 15–20 minutes 2 times a day. For adults, take 1 g before meals 2 times a day. Course duration is 15 – 20 days. It is recommended to take 2 courses per year in autumn and spring.

You can use royal jelly to support the body during exhaustion or during rehabilitation after surgery or childbirth. Take two courses in a row with an interval of 10 days.

How to use royal jelly tablets

Now doctors consider the bee product as a polyhormonal biological stimulant rich in vitamins, microelements and enzymes, which is capable of normalizing the functioning of individual organs of the body and its systems. Pharmacies can sell a variety of tablets containing royal jelly, so both the regimen and the dose will be different. This information can be found in the instructions for use.

For example, there are Apilak tablets. Ingredients: 10 g of dried bee jelly, calcium stearate, lactose monohydrate, talc, potato starch. One jar contains 10 tablets.

Norm for adults: 3 times a day, 1 tablet. The duration of one course is 2 weeks. Take the tablet under the tongue until completely absorbed.

For children, it is recommended to check the norm with a doctor.

Royal jelly for weight loss

There are no direct indications for weight loss, but this substance has a beneficial effect on the digestive tract and digestive system. Due to its effect on hormonal levels, milk normalizes metabolism well.Although there are no direct indications for weight loss, the beneficial properties described above can significantly increase the effectiveness of any weight loss products. This applies to taking medications, natural elements, and even physical exercises.

Don't forget about overdose. The recommended daily dose per 10 kg of body weight is 0.1 g of pure royal jelly (one queen cell contains approximately 0.3 g). Eg:

• weight 50 – 60 kg – you should take 0.5 – 0.6 g of “jelly”, this is an average of 2 queen cells per day;
• weight 80 – 90 kg – take 0.8 – 0.9 g of “jelly”, this is an average of 3 queen cells per day;
• If the weight exceeds 100 kg, it is better not to calculate the dose yourself, but to consult a doctor.

Use for cosmetic purposes

In industrial cosmetology, bee jelly has been used for a very long time to create all kinds of ointments, creams, emulsions for rejuvenating and maintaining the skin. In the CIS countries, back in Soviet times, the USSR Institute invented a cream containing only 0.6% bee jelly. But even such a tiny concentration gave an amazing effect.

They tested it on skin with increased oil content: it became more elastic, oil content decreased, and small wrinkles disappeared. This effect was evident even on loose skin. Although it should be noted that some people developed red spots that did not go away for a very long time.

Now there are many creams for similar purposes, which include this fabulous bee product.How to use a particular product is indicated in the instructions for its use.

As for traditional medicine, the easiest way is to add a little royal jelly to any face cream. Depending on the initial condition of the skin, the effect may be visible within a few days.

Face mask recipe:

• 100 ml honey;
• 100 ml royal jelly;
• 20 ml of string decoction (the decoction should sit for about a day).

Heat the honey slightly (up to 40 degrees) and mix all the ingredients until it cools completely. Apply the mask to the face and neck before going to bed, leave for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Hair mask recipe. Take any mask that is suitable for hair, and add a little bee product to it, mix thoroughly. Use according to the instructions for the mask. In just a couple of weeks, the hair will become more vibrant and acquire a natural shine.

Preparations based on royal jelly

Preparations based on royal jelly are used all over the world. Each country produces its own medicines. Eg:

• varnish – Apis (Bulgaria);
• Apifortel (Germany);
• Melkatsin, Vitadon, Methadone, Kolgel (Romania);
• Apiserum (France);
• Melcalcin
• Longevex (Canada);
• Super Strangsroyal Jelly (USA);
• Apitonus, Apilactose, Aentorium, Apifor (Russia).

Japan ranks first in the production and use of royal jelly. Surprisingly, it has introduced programs to supply the elderly and children with bee products.Perhaps this is one of the reasons why Japanese life expectancy ranks first in the world.

Contraindications to royal jelly

Despite the rich composition of the bee product and its undeniable benefits, like any drug it has its contraindications:

• intolerance to bee products;
• serious infectious diseases;
• serious disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system;
• before surgery (blood clotting may worsen);
• for oncological diseases.

Some doctors prove the possibility of treating oncology and diabetes, but only on a completely individual basis and under the close supervision of a doctor.

Terms and conditions of storage

“Royal jelly” is a very delicate and perishable bee product. Therefore, in order to preserve maximum beneficial properties, you need to pay special attention to the storage process. After extracting royal jelly, its properties remain unchanged for only 2 hours, after which these indicators decrease and will further depend on the storage temperature and method of preservation.

Freezing at storage temperature:

• – 1 ⁰С – shelf life 2 months;
• – 3 ⁰С – 6 months;
• – 10 ⁰С – 10 months;
• – 18 ⁰С – 19 months.

Storage in the form of powder or tablets at a temperature not exceeding 8 - 12 ⁰C is allowed for 2 - 5 years.

For solutions with honey or vodka tinctures, the shelf life is up to two years at temperatures up to 15 ⁰C.

It should also be noted that the shelf life is affected by the quality and cleanliness of production. Storage containers should be glass or plastic in the form of syringes for freezing.Bee product of any kind must be hermetically sealed and protected from sunlight. Only if these requirements are met will the specified storage periods be appropriate.

Conclusion

It should be noted once again that royal jelly has a large number of unique properties. The recipes discussed above will help get rid of many diseases. But do not forget that this remedy is rarely the main one in treatment, so it is always used as a supplement.

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