Compositon Analysis:
Modern
scientific analytic techniques let us have a rather precise idea about
the composition of royal jelly on a quantitative as well and
qualitative basis. We will give the results which relate to the recent
studies undertaken in the past few years, which cite the rather old
tables which are still found in various publications.
The results of the physiochemical analysis of royal jelly, although
explored in rigorous conditions, show slight quantitative discrepancies
which can be explained by in the variations the origin of the substance
itself, the period of its sampling, and, of course, the error variation
which is minimal, but existent, and inherent to dosing techniques.
We will confine ourselves to giving here, the qualitative composition
of royal jelly which is practically constant and very well understood.
This study will only contain approximate percentages of principal
constituents.
Royal jelly contains water, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and amino
acids. A water content which oscillates around 66%, or approximately
two-thirds. Carbohydrates (sugars), with an average percentage of
14.5%, among which are found mainly: glucose and fructose in the
greatest amount. Their respective proportions are appreciably equal,
whence a glucose/fructose relation which border on 1. Sucrose is found
in smaller but nonetheless noteworthy amount. Maltose, eriose,
melibiose, trihalose present in much smaller proportions. Lipids (fat
matters), with an average of 4.5%, consisting of, in decreasing order
according to their respective proportions: cetotransdecenedioic acid,
hydroxytransdecenedioic acid, dydroxytransdecenoic acid, sebacic adic,
pilemic, palmitic acid, and stearic acid. Proteins (azotizd substances)
with an average percentage of 13%, of which a great part are amino
acids either in free state or combined. Royal jelly is the natural
product, and
more particularly, the product of the hive, containing the highest
qualitative content amino acids. This fact deserves mention, for it is
certainly an important element, directly, and indirectly, in
therapeutic actions. The amino acids are the following: alanine,
arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine or glycocoile,
histidine, isolucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine,
proline, serine, taurine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine.
Eight of these amino acids are an indispensable dietary component
(isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine,
tryptophan, and valine), and all eight of these are found in royal
jelly, which give it its great therapeutic importance.
Royal jelly contains a great amount of vitamins (with a particular
abundance from the vitamin B group, and a specific wealth in vitamin B5
or pantothenic acid), among which are found: in great quantities:
vitamin B1 or thiamin, vitamin B2 or riboflavin, vitamin B3 or vitamin
PP or nicotinamide or niacin, vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid, vitamin
B6 or pyridoxine, vitamin B7 or mesoinositol, vitamin B8 or vitamin H
or biotin, and vitamin B9 or folic acid; in small quantities: vitamin
B12 or cyanocobalamin; and in negigible or null quantities: vitamin A,
vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin E. It is not necessary to review the
essential role played by these vitamins in the harmonious development
and balance of the human organism.
Royal jelly contains mineral substances and trace mineral, among which
are found calcium, copper, iron, phosphorus, potassium, silicon and
sulfur. These substances, too, play important roles in the numerous
reactions which control the general cellular metabolism.
Royal jelly contains other components such as: acetylcholine which is
found in great quantity in royal jelly (up to 1 mg. per gram); an
anti-bacterial antibiotic component, different from that which is found
in pollen, which is extractible in cold water, alcohol, either, and
acetone. It is thermostable, and not influenced by pH, and is
particularly active on Proteus and Escherichia coli B (colibacillus).
Note that studies have shown that the antibiotic action of royal jelly
exists after 1 to 2 months storage in a refrigerator at 32 degrees F (0
C), but it disappears after four months in the same conditions, showing
the reason for always using, preferably, the freshest possible royal
jelly (as we will explore further on). Royal jelly contains some grains
of pollen, whose introduction in the royal jelly cells is not yet
perfectly explained and a possible gonadotropic hormonal substance,
which many have an effect on the female genital system. New works will
have to be undertaken to
prove this theory.
And finally royal jelly contains a very small percentage of substances
which are still unknown today, which are certainly of great importance,
New, very intensive factionary studies should be undertaken so as to
determine even more precisely the composition of royal jelly. The
extreme wealth of known fractions is insufficient to explain the
totality of beneficial effects on man. The future, as in the case of
pollen, too, will certainly hold very interesting discoveries in this
domain.
Properties of Royal Jelly
Royal
Jelly is, therefore, as we have just seen, a natural food rich in
numerous elements which are indispensable for life. It seems, however,
that its action in man is mainly due to the still unknown fraction of
which we spoke above, and not just the totality of known elements which
have been defined by
analysis. It is possible to think that these amino acids, vitamins, and
minerals, even without playing a big role on a quantitative basis, can
play part qualitatively by their association according to a manner
which
entails a particularly efficient catalytic action.
On this
basis, royal jelly is a substance which contains potentialities which
act essentially:
On the Neuro-Psychiatric Balance:
This
action can certainly be related to the fact that royal jelly has shown
in vitro, as proven in certain experimentation, an increase in the
oxygen consumption of some tissues. It is well-accepted that a better
oxygenation of the brain provokes a better resistance to stress and
disappointments. The excellent results obtained in some
neuro-psychiatric trouble of aged persons, whose cerebral oxygenation
is generally diminished because of vascular aging, helps to support
this hypothesis.
On the Endocrine System:
The
works of K. Ardry and R. Chauvin in collaboration with S. Herbert,
whose references are found at the end of this study, have shown a
particular action on the adrenal glands.
On the Hematopoietic Organs:
This
action seems above all remarkable in functional anemia of the elderly,
with a global deficit of erythropoiesis, that is to say, the formation
of erythrocytes (red blood cells).
On the Digestive System:
There
is a eupeptic action with an increase in appetite, and consequently in
weight, with regularization of different functional digestive problems.
In this domain, there is often a predilection for those which relate to
a neuro-vegetative imbalance.
It is thus that royal jelly, by its global composition, its
pharmaco-dynamic actions, and its proven effects in rigorously
controlled clinical experimentation (particularly in the works of Dr.
Destrem can: furnish some elements which are lacking to the organism;
regularize or help certain organic functions which have become
insufficient or irregular; favor or harmoniously reestablish
momentarily failing metabolism; improve general vitality.
A certain number of properties flow from this list, and can be
summarized schematically and globally as follows: royal jelly is
stimulating, tonifying and euphoretic, producing a sensation of
well-being; royal jelly is a restabilizer (particularly a
neuro-stabilizer) and a revitalizer.
These general properties give this natural food many therapeutic
indications in man's health: for maintaining it at its highest level;
for improving it if it is failing; and for helping it to retrieve its
level when faltering. We will now review these indications in greater
depth in the following chapter. Before beginning this discussion,
another excerpt from Dr. Destrem's work introduces the matter nicely:
"Improving general physical tone, feeling euphoric and joyful, and
improving the appetite are all things that patients who benefit from a
royal jelly treatment describe. Objectively, this is a
revival of general activity, more or less consequential, weight-gain in
emaciated
patients and a distinct blood count for such results are not always
easy
to obtain in equivalent situation with other more complex or more
aggressive
therapeutics."
It must be mentioned and noted before closing this chapter, that some
of these properties or actions are only partially explained at present.
Let us hope that our rational will be satisfied by scientific and
medical research, that will, with its great investigational facilities
soon devote time to royal jelly in order to dissipated the somewhat
mysterious shadows that still shade some of its therapeutic actions.
In the meantime, however, the results obtained in the majority of cases
are quite real and manifest, and difficult to contest, showing that
nothing should prevent us from using this natural product right away to
our own great advantage.
Therapeutic
indications of Royal Jelly
It is
important to note above all that even if all the indications mentioned
in this chapter are quite real, this does not mean in any way, of
course, that royal jelly alone is always capable of completely solving
the pathological problem or illness in question, and will completely
and definitively restore a state of well-being.
Royal jelly is neither a miracle product nor a panacea, but only a
substance that can help on a therapeutic level; sometimes a bit, often
a great deal, and in very many cases. As exaggeration is always
dangerous for the cause of a high quality product, we will stay
levelheaded, and will give the greatest possible objectivity to our
observations.
Let us study successively the indication of royal jelly in the healthy
man, and in the man bearing a characterized problem or a determined
illness which has been subject to examinations and a precise diagnosis.
Note, nevertheless, right away, that the results have been particularly
spectacular in young children and aged people. Concerning the latter,
Dr. H. Destrem notes again that the activity of royal jelly is
generally more evident in proportion to the increasing age of the
patient, and when their global senility is less related to the
evolution of a well-defined pathological situation.
A. In the healthy man royal jelly will be taken internally to obtain
better physical, sexual, or intellectual output in normal activities,
with
greater self-confidence; to have greater resistance to physical and
intellectual fatigue during periods of activity which are temporarily
more intensive (athletes for example); to strengthen the organism in it
fight against
general aggressions; to retard the effects of general organic aging and
particularly that of the skin and integuments (hair, nails), because of
the great amount of vitamin B5 or pantothenic and acid contained in
royal
jelly, which is, let us note, the natural substance which contains the
greatest known concentration of this substance; to palliate, but at a
lesser
level, some dietary insufficiencies in amino acids, vitamins, mineral
substances,
trace minerals, etc.
Royal jelly will be used externally in cosmetology in various
preparation and associations, which will not be related in this study,
as it is a bit outside of our purpose.
B. In the sick man, according to the etiology and the seriousness of
the causal illness, royal jelly can be taken in the following cases,
alone, or associated with other indispensable therapeutics.
1. General Indications of asthenia are asthenia (or fatigue) at all
levels, in the physical as well as psychological domain; asthenia
during
illness and convalescence; post-operative asthenia; overwork, and
physical
or intellectual exhaustion; asthenia of the elderly, etc.: anorexia (or
loss of appetite) from all origins, including anorexia nervosa; weight
loss and emaciation from various etiologies, with and amazing effect on
hypotrophia in infants; general bodily insufficiencies (interesting
results
have been obtained with premature babies); senescence (or premature and
abnormally exaggerated again) and state of physical and psychological
senility. (The efficiency seems proportional to the importance of the
functional deficit).
2. Particular indications of the digestive system are anorexia, because
of its regulating effect on appetite, for, although it barely modifies
normal appetite, royal jelly increases rapidly and significantly the
appetite of chronic or transitory anorexics;diverse dyspeptic problems;
gastrointestinal ulcers, where royal jelly is an excellent complement,
and has a positive effect in association with usual therapeutics;
colitic problems, when the neurovegatitive constituent is
predomination; some hepto-vascular difficulties are sometime regulated
in an amazing ways; alcoholism, by it general activity and
anti-anorexic properties.
Particular indications of the cardiovascular and circulatory systems is
isochromic anemia of the elderly; arterial hypertension (essential or
other); arteriosclerosis and its consequences, such as hypertension
which
is often favorably influenced. (Royal jelly appears to be a regulating
substance of arterial tension, tending to bring the numbers to normal,
no
matter what direction their variations took.); neuro-circulatory
problems; dizziness, buzzing, and whistling in the ears from
undetermined etiopathology; hypercholesterolemia often has very
interesting results, but statistical experience in this domain is still
too incomplete to draw a conclusion.
Particular indications of the genitourinary system are some forms of
impotence and sexual asthenia in men, especially when these genetic
capacities are diminished under the effect of aging; some frigidity in
women, some functional menstrual problems are often influenced
favorably, and regulated by royal jelly, urinary incontinence.
Particular indications of the neuro-psychological system are
neurastenia (state in which neurotic fatigue is predominant) and minor
nervous breakdowns; states of anxiety and phobias; moodiness, and its
regularization; some kinds of insomnia; memory problems; and young
child with Down's Syndrome for whom we are often therapeutically
impotent, for whom royal jelly often leads
to an improvement in the mental development with a decrease in muscular
excitement;
and various psychosomatic and functional troubles.
Particular indications of the dermatological system are certain skin
illness such as dermatitis in which keratosic and seborrheic elements
enter, can receive benefits; xeroderma (excessive dryness of skin with
fine scaling); acne; lupus eryththematosis, for which a long-term
treatment of royal jelly is sometimes successful, and should be tried
when traditional methods failed.
Particular indications of anti flu properties, essentially in
prevention, royal jelly seems to be particularly efficient ( treatment
by royal jelly before and during the usual flu epidemic periods most
often permits weathering them without hindrance); and alone, or
associated with bee venom, royal jelly often gives good results in some
chronic osteo-articular syndromes which are barely relieved by usual
therapeutics.
Some interesting results have been published concerning the use of
royal jelly in asthma and Parkinson's disease. Actually, even without a
large experimentation on this question, the effect of royal jelly, in
association with the necessary specific therapeutics, can be considered
beneficial for the two illnesses. Finally Drs. Townshen and Morgan of
the Minister of Health in Ottawa, Canada have experiments (1959-1960)
that show that cancer cells inoculated in 1000 mice provoked the death
of all the animals by cancer in
the next tow months, whereas, the same cancer cells, mixed with royal
jelly
and inoculated in the same conditions to 1000 more mice similar to the
first,
left them all unscathed.
This does not mean, of course, that royal jelly can cure cancer, it
only means that when royal jelly is present, the cancer cells of this
experiment were not able to develop and provoke illness or death. Can
one suggest that royal jelly has a preventive role in the genesis of
cancer in man? The
question has been posed, and the hypothesis is yet to be proven.
Presentation
and Dosage
A.
Presentation
Depending
on the case, royal jelly can be either the only active substance or, in
association with other products which complete its action in some
therapeutic indications.
Thus, one can find at present either natural royal jelly unassociated
with other product (pure and fresh or pure and lyophilized) or natural
royal
jelly (in one of the forms afore cited) in associate with honey; a
honey
and pollen mixture; lyophilized queen bee's embryos; various dietetic
products;
and various hygienic or cosmetological products.
Only the most commonly used and encountered forms of royal jelly will
be discussed here, that is to say: natural pure royal jelly, fresh or
lyophilized, and royal jelly and honey. The numerous other associations
and preparations in which royal jelly intervene will be deliberately
left aside, for no useful schema can be disclosed.
1. Pure natural royal jelly fresh (preferential form whenever it use is
possible, and only when one can be sure of it freshness and rigorous
conservation), which is usually presented in capsules or small
container of various weights depending on the producers or the sales
firms, but they are most often, 3, 5,10, or 20 grams. This form must
imperatively be stored in the refrigerator at temperature between 32
and 37 degrees F (that is to say in the upper part of the machine, near
the ice compartment). Pure natural royal jelly lyophilized, which is
most usually presented either in vacuum containers or vitals, which do
not necessitate any particular precaution for storage or in capsules
which should be preferable stored in dry places. The doses are variable
depending on the fabricants and laboratories which commercialize the
product. Note that lyophilized royal jelly has lost
2/3 of its water content, and corresponds to approximately 1/3 the
weight
of fresh royal jelly for the same efficient dose. For example, if 300
mg.
of fresh royal jelly are recommended, this is equivalent to only 100
mg.
in lyophilized form.
2. Royal jelly mixed with honey (a form which allows an easy and
convenient storage, but which presents some inconveniences which must
not be ignored. It is usually presented in containers containing a
mixture of 1 to 3 percent depending on the preparation, which is to
say, 1 to 3 grams of royal jelly for 100 grams of honey. The mixture
can be stored either in the refrigerator or at a constant average
temperature of 57 to 59 degrees
F. Note that some producers sell the honey jar and the corresponding
dose of royal jelly separately. This seems to be an excellent idea, for
the user, as well as being sure of the real dose of royal jelly he is
consuming,
can prepare his mixture at the last moment, insuring this, perfect
homogenization at the beginning of the treatment.
B. Dosage
After
many years of regular prescription, associated with the numerous
observations which have been sent to us, we are now able to give
efficient dosage figures which are most probably definitive. Fresh
royal jelly the doses are the following in adults per day and depending
on each case a minimal dose of 100 to 300 milligrams, then an average
does of 500 milligrams with an initial does
in serious or emergency case of 800 milligrams to 1 gram. In children,
depending on their age, the doses are usually cut to a half or a
quarter of the adult doses mentioned above, but the doctor's opinion is
desirable, and advisable. The dose for lyophilized jelly is one third
of the preceding doses and
the doses for royal jelly mixed with honey is the amount of honey to be
taken depends on the percentage of jelly which is contained in the
mixture.
A fast calculations allows one to determine the dose. -
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