The Complete Guide to Royal Honey – Its Benefits, Uses and More
What is Royal Honey?
Royal honey, also known as royal jelly honey, is a special type of honey produced by honey bees to feed their young larvae and queen bees. Unlike regular honey made from nectar, royal honey is secreted from the glands of worker bees and contains specific compounds vital for rearing queen bees.
This unique honey has long been used for its nutritional and health-promoting properties. It has a rich history of use in traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda, Unani and Chinese medicine. Today, royal honey is gaining popularity as a dietary supplement due to its high nutrient content and a wide range of associated benefits.
The History and Origins of Royal Honey(RH)
Records show that royal honey was highly prized in ancient civilizations for its scarcity and unique applications. Its use dates back to ancient Egypt, where it was used as a rejuvenating tonic to maintain the youth and health of queen bees and humans alike. Ancient Chinese medicine also recognized the anti-aging properties of royal honey and used it as a beauty aid for empresses.
Royal honey gets its name from the fact that it is exclusively fed to queen larvae and queen bees. Worker bees meticulously control the diet of potential queens by providing large amounts of this special honey, resulting in the development of sexually mature and fully functioning queen bees. As queens, they can live up to 5 years, compared to regular worker bees that only live for up to 6 weeks. This life-extending property of royal honey is what first attracted humans to its potential health benefits.
Today, royal honey is harvested from specific beehives fed a controlled diet to encourage royal jelly production. It is available as a health supplement in capsules or as a raw, pure honey. However, due to the labor-intensive production process, authentic royal honey is still relatively expensive to produce.
Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits
RH is nutrition powerhouse, packed full of essential vitamins, minerals, proteins, enzymes and amino acids. It provides a wider spectrum of nutrients compared to regular honey. Here are some of the main health benefits associated with royal honey:
Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties
RHcontains high levels of antioxidants, including phenolic compounds like flavonoids. Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals and oxidative stress, reducing inflammation at the cellular level. The most abundant antioxidant found in royal honey is 10-Hydroxy-2-decenoic acid or 10-HDA, which is exclusive to royal jelly.
These anti-inflammatory effects can help relieve joint pains, improve immune function and reduce risk factors for chronic diseases like heart disease.
Wound Healing and Skin Health
Multiple studies have found that RH exhibits wound healing properties, helping stimulate faster closure and re-epithelialization of wounds. Its antimicrobial properties also help keep wounds sterile.
When applied topically, RH is also great for keeping skin healthy and youthful. The skins ability to retain moisture improves, delaying symptoms of aging like wrinkles and fine lines. It also helps lighten blemishes and scars.
Digestive Health Benefits
The enzymes found in RH, like glucose oxidase and invertase, aid in better digestion and relief from gastrointestinal issues like constipation. Royal honey also contains anti-microbial compounds that support the growth of good gut bacteria and overall gut health.
Some studies show royal honey may also help reduce stomach ulcers and prevent bacterial infections like colitis in the digestive tract.
Anti-Microbial and Anti-Bacterial Properties
RH exhibits antimicrobial activities making it effective against certain bacteria, viruses and fungi. Different active components like royalisin peptides in royal jelly honey have been found to inhibit microbial growth.
Research shows royal honey has shown effectiveness against bacterial infections like Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. More research is still needed to further establish these antimicrobial effects.
Other Potential Health Benefits
Some animal studies indicate royal honey may help lower cholesterol levels and benefit heart health due to its antioxidant content. However, human studies are lacking in this area.
There’s also some early evidence that RH may help alleviate menopause symptoms, build bone strength and balance hormones. It may also offer anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects. However, a lot more research is still needed to substantiate these other potential benefits.
Royal Jelly and Bee Pollen
RH is sometimes confused with other bee products like royal jelly and bee pollen. While related, they are completely different substances:
- Royal jelly – Milky secretion produced by young worker bees to feed larvae and queen bees
- Bee pollen – Granular pollen packed into pellets by worker bees to feed young bees
- Royal honey – Honey produced by bees to feed queen bees and larvae
Like RH, royal jelly and bee pollen also offer some similar health benefits. But RH has a higher concentration of vital nutrients and compounds needed for rearing queen bees, giving it some unique properties.
How to Use Royal Honey
RH can be consumed as a dietary supplement for its health benefits. Here’s how to use it:
Recommended Dosage
There is no standard dosage for royal honey. Amount consumed depends on the desired health benefits. General daily dosage recommendations based on traditional use are:
- General health: 500mg – 1000mg
- Therapeutic benefits: 1000mg – 3000mg
To start, its best to take 500-1000mg daily and gradually increase over 2-4 weeks as needed. Consult a doctor for dosage guidance.
Risks and Precautions
RH is generally safe for most people when taken by mouth in typical doses. However, the following precautions should be noted:
- Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid due to lack of safety research.
- Individuals with pollen or bee allergies should avoid royal honey due to potential allergic reactions.
- Children under the age of 18 should not take royal honey supplements without medical approval.
- Stop use if any side effects like digestive upset, skin irritation or breathing problems occur.
RH should also be used cautiously with blood pressure and diabetes medications due to its potential effects on glucose metabolism and blood pressure management.
As with any supplement, its best to consult a doctor before use if you have any medical conditions or take any medications.
Where to Buy RH
High quality, pure royal honey can be hard to find. Some key things to look for when buying royal honey:
- Royal jelly content: Minimum of 1.5% 10-HDA content. 10-HDA is the key bioactive compound.
- Quality standards: Choose brands that follow legal quality standards and are certified organic.
- Purity: Raw, unpasteurized and unfiltered royal honey retains more nutrients.
- Source: Select royal honey from ethical beekeepers that use controlled hive methods.
- Price: Authentic royal honey is expensive, so beware of low prices. Aim for $40 to $60 per ounce.
Reputable brands available online include Zhou Nutrition Royal Jelly Honey, Nature’s Way Royal Jelly Honey, BeeAlive Royal Jelly Honey andYS Eco Bee Farms Royal Bee Honey.
Many natural health stores and vitamin shops also carry royal honey supplements. When buying locally, check for authenticity by looking for proper labeling of ingredients, 10-HDA content and other quality certifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is RH different from regular honey?
Yes, RH is very different from the honey commonly used as a sweetener. It has a higher concentration of certain nutrients needed for queen bee development, giving it unique health properties.
Does RH have side effects?
RH is generally well tolerated when taken by mouth short term in normal doses. In some cases, mild side effects like digestive issues, headaches, skin irritation or swelling may occur. People with allergies need to be extra cautious.
Is royal honey safe to take every day?
There is no long term safety data on taking RH daily for extended periods. Periodic breaks in supplementation is recommended, along with consulting a doctor for appropriate dosage and safe use.
How long does it take for RH to work?
Benefits related to antioxidant support, anti-inflammatory effects, immunity and digestion may be noticed within 2-4 weeks. But the full effects for certain health conditions can take up to 2-3 months of consistent use to achieve.
Can children take royal honey?
RH is not recommended for children under 18 years old due to lack of safety research. Adult supervision and medical approval are necessary before giving royal honey to children.
Conclusion
So in summary, RH is a unique substance with a rich medicinal history and a wide range of health benefits. When taken as a supplement, it may help boost immunity, reduce inflammation, heal wounds, support skin health and promote overall wellness. Be sure to buy high quality royal honey and take it as directed for the best results. Consult a natural health practitioner to help determine if royal honey is right for you.
