Royal Jelly
Also known as apis mellifera, bee royal jelly, royal jelly
Key takeaways
- Effective for the management of postmenopausal symptoms (PMID: 41401249).
- Protease-treated royal jelly extract significantly reduces facial wrinkles (PMID: 41134061).
- Improves cardiovascular risk markers in patients undergoing hemodialysis when combined with green propolis (PMID: 40864045).
What the research shows
AI-synthesized from 10 peer-reviewed sources · Updated 2025
Royal jelly is a secretion from honeybees used as a supplement for various health and cosmetic purposes. Research suggests potential benefits for menopausal symptoms, cardiovascular health, skin quality, and athletic performance, though many studies are small-scale or pilot trials.
By condition
Postmenopausal Symptoms
Moderate
A systematic review and meta-analysis indicates royal jelly is effective for managing postmenopausal symptoms.
Skin Health and Aesthetics
Moderate
Evidence suggests royal jelly can improve skin barrier function and reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles.
Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health
Weak
Small studies suggest improvements in vascular endothelial function, lipid profiles, and cardiovascular risk markers in specific populations.
Athletic Performance
Weak
A pilot trial found that royal jelly combined with CoQ10 improves high-intensity interval exercise performance in swimmers.
Effective doses
Specific dosage ranges were not provided in the provided abstracts.
Safety & interactions
No specific interactions or contraindications were mentioned in the provided research abstracts.
Limitations
Many of the studies are small pilot trials or in vitro models, and there is a lack of large-scale, long-term clinical trials to establish definitive efficacy and standardized dosing.
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Research evidence
Showing top 10 of 10 sources, sorted by quality
**Ferraz et al., 2026** | Menopause | Meta Analysis Ferraz Sarah Dagostin, Stangherlin Luana, ... Rosa Maria Inês da. Royal jelly for management of postmenopausal symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Menopause. 2026-Apr-01;33(4)…
**Fujisue et al., 2022** | J Atheroscler Thromb | Rct Fujisue Koichiro, Yamamoto Eiichiro, ... Tsujita Kenichi. A Randomized, Double-Blind Comparison Study of Royal Jelly to Augment Vascular Endothelial Function in Healthy Volunteers. J Ath…
**Kemp et al., 2025** | Toxins (Basel) | Rct Kemp Julie Ann, Mendonça Marianna, ... Cardozo Ludmila. Apitherapy with Royal Jelly and Green Propolis EPP-AF® Improves Cardiovascular Risk Markers in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis. Toxins (Ba…
**Ikegami et al., 2025** | J Cosmet Dermatol | Rct Ikegami Shiho, Ito Takashi, ... Jinnin Masatoshi. Effect of Protease-Treated Royal Jelly Extract on Facial Wrinkles: A Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group Study. J Cosmet Derma…
**Ovchinnikov et al., 2022** | J Int Soc Sports Nutr | Rct Ovchinnikov Aleksandr N, Paoli Antonio, ... Deryugina Anna V. Royal jelly plus coenzyme Q10 supplementation improves high-intensity interval exercise performance via changes in plas…
**Nakashima et al., 2018** | Eur J Dermatol | Rct Nakashima Chisa, Otsuka Atsushi, ... Kabashima Kenji. The effect of oral royal jelly administration on skin barrier function: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. Eur J Dermat…
**Zhang et al., 2021** | J Food Sci | Other Zhang Xiaochen, Lu Xinyang, ... Chang Yaning. Major royal jelly proteins prevents NAFLD by improving mitochondrial function and lipid accumulation through activating the AMPK / SIRT3 pathway in vi…
**Münstedt et al., 2009** | J Med Food | Other Münstedt Karsten, Bargello Matthias, Hauenschild Annette. Royal jelly reduces the serum glucose levels in healthy subjects. J Med Food. 2009-Oct;12(5):1170-2. doi:10.1089/jmf.2008.0289 Earlier …
**Lambrinoudaki et al., 2016** | Gynecol Endocrinol | Other Lambrinoudaki Irene, Augoulea Areti, ... Moutsatsou Paraskevi. Greek-origin royal jelly improves the lipid profile of postmenopausal women. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2016-Oct;32(10):835-…
**Park et al., 2011** | J Med Food | Other Park Hye Min, Hwang Eunson, ... Kim Sun Yeou. Royal jelly protects against ultraviolet B-induced photoaging in human skin fibroblasts via enhancing collagen production. J Med Food. 2011-Sep;14(9):8…
Frequently asked questions
What is royal jelly and what is it used for?
Royal jelly is a secretion from honeybees used as a supplement for various health and cosmetic purposes. Research suggests potential benefits for menopausal symptoms, cardiovascular health, skin quality, and athletic performance, though many studies are small-scale or pilot trials.
Does royal jelly help with menopause symptoms?
There is moderate evidence that royal jelly is effective for managing postmenopausal symptoms, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis. However, you should consult a healthcare provider before using it to manage these symptoms.
Can royal jelly improve skin health or reduce wrinkles?
Evidence suggests royal jelly can improve skin barrier function and reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles. Specifically, protease-treated royal jelly extract has been shown to significantly reduce facial wrinkles in research studies.
Does royal jelly support heart health or cholesterol levels?
There is weak evidence that royal jelly may improve cardiovascular risk markers, lipid profiles, and vascular endothelial function in specific populations. Research is limited, so it should not replace prescribed heart medications.
Is royal jelly effective for athletic performance?
Research is limited, but a pilot trial found that royal jelly combined with CoQ10 improved high-intensity interval exercise performance in swimmers. More robust studies are needed to confirm these findings for general athletic use.
What is the recommended dosage for royal jelly?
Specific dosage ranges were not provided in the available research abstracts. It is important to consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice on appropriate dosing.
Is royal jelly safe to take with other medications?
No specific drug interactions or contraindications were documented in the provided research abstracts. However, individuals on medications or with health conditions should consult a healthcare provider before use.
Who should avoid taking royal jelly?
While no specific contraindications were mentioned, individuals who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have bee-related allergies should consult a healthcare provider before use. Always seek professional medical advice for personal health decisions.