How we rate
“Strong” = several concordant meta-analyses or systematic reviews. “Moderate” = one synthesis, or several controlled trials. “Limited” = early trials only. The rating is about the quality of the studies, not about how useful the supplement is.
Royal jelly
Secretion of worker bees. It slightly relieves menopause symptoms in a meta-analysis, but does not change blood sugar, and it can cause asthma and severe allergic reactions.
Benefits
- Menopause: in a meta-analysis of 6 studies and 471 women, menopause symptoms were clearly relieved compared to placebo; 1,000 mg per day for 8 weeks in the trial on 200 women
- Premenstrual syndrome: in 110 female students, 1,000 mg per day for two cycles reduced the symptom score compared to placebo
- Post-menopausal bones: in 72 women monitored for six months, hip bone density remained stable with royal jelly, whereas it decreased with placebo
- Blood vessels: in 100 healthy volunteers, 690 mg per day for 4 weeks improved vessel wall function
- Dry eye: in 43 patients, 8 weeks of royal jelly increased tear volume, especially in those who produced the least
Precautions
Allergy: royal jelly can trigger asthma and anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction. Seven people developed asthma or anaphylaxis after swallowing it, due to an allergy to royal jelly proteins, and a 33-year-old man developed severe anaphylaxis with difficulty breathing and altered consciousness. In a survey of 1,472 hospital employees, nine of those who had taken it reported hives or asthma, and allergic (atopic) individuals were more frequently sensitized. If you are asthmatic or allergic, do not take it without medical advice. Also good to know: on blood sugar, a meta-analysis of 5 trials finds no effect on fasting blood sugar or HbA1c, and another of 10 trials no overall effect, despite two positive trials in type 2 diabetics. In 194 elderly people, one year of royal jelly did not improve muscle strength. Many trials are small (15, 43, 50 people).
Recommended dosage
500 to 1,000 mg per day in most trials, for 4 weeks to 6 months.
How to take it
- For whom: the trials involve post-menopausal women, female students (premenstrual syndrome), type 2 diabetics, elderly people in care facilities, and healthy volunteers.
- Dose: 1,000 mg per day in trials on menopause, premenstrual syndrome, and diabetes; 690 mg per day on blood vessels; 500 mg per day for 45 days in multiple sclerosis.
- Duration: from 4 weeks to 6 months in most trials; one year in the trial involving 194 elderly people, which did not improve their strength.
- Form: the trial in elderly people used protease-treated royal jelly; the others do not specify this form.
- Sport: a single trial, in 20 high-level swimmers, combining 400 mg of royal jelly with 60 mg of coenzyme Q10 for 10 days: better performance in high-intensity interval exercises, without knowing which of the two acts.
- Timing and meals: no study in this file compares the timing of intake or taking it during a meal.
Did you know?
In elderly people living in care facilities, one year of royal jelly did not make muscles stronger. But strength appeared to decrease less quickly than with placebo.
What the studies say
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of royal jelly supplementation on postmenopausal symptoms in women. Including 6 studies with a total of 471 women, the results showed that royal jelly significantly improved menopausal symptoms compared to placebo. The study suggests that royal jelly could be a promising non-hormonal option for managing these symptoms.
Ferraz SD, Stangherlin L, Colonetti T, Rodrigues Uggioni ML, Specht Taschetto I, Ceretta L, Grande AJ, Rosa MID. — Menopause (New York, N.Y.) (2026) — View the source study
Pairs well with
For information only: not a substitute for medical advice. Dietary supplements are not a replacement for a varied, balanced diet. Learn more