TREATMENT DATABASE

Royal jelly is a thick, milky substance secreted by young nurse honeybees to nourish the young larvae in a colony, especially the queen larvae. It is rich in B vitamins (especially pantothenic acid), biotin, folic acid, and inositol. It also contains vitamins A, C, D, and E, seven minerals, 18 amino acids, fatty acids, enzymes and hormones, and is the only natural source of acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter that aids in memory.

In 2011 a group of researchers found that royal jelly exerted a protective effect on the liver and kidneys of rats which had been given cisplatin, a cytotoxic agent used for chemotherapy. The beneficial effects of royal jelly were attributed to a reduction of oxidative stress and apoptosis (cell death).  Further research has indicated that royal jelly may be effective in reducing inflammation.

USES IN ME/CFS: Although doctors do not routinely prescribe royal jelly, it has been used by patients for decades. Because it is a natural source of acetylcholine,  it may be effective in reducing muscle weakness in some patients. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it well suited to mitigating pain. Royal jelly also provides an easily tolerated form of B vitamins.

Warning: Patients with pollen allergies should proceed with caution, as royal jelly has been known to cause allergic reactions in susceptible people. 

Treatment rating for Royal Jelly