Apiculture -- the study of bees and their products is no longer relegated to the status of folk medicine.  Since both beekeeping and harvesting of products are carried out under technically advanced conditions, apitherapy has reached the stage of scientific medicine.  The general interest in bee products for the treatment and prevention of various ailments on the part of medical practitioners and laymen alike attests to the validity of bee products as health aids. Studies indicate the effectiveness of royal jelly for the following:
for tiredness and overwork, asthenia, anxiety states, insomnia and anorexia
bronchial asthma
liver diseases (hepatitis)
pancreatitis
general exhaustion diseases
arthritis, gout, atherosclerosis
kidney diseases
stomach ulcers
ovarian insufficiency
reversing the aging process
stimulating and regenerating the nervous system
for accelerating the healing and consolidation of fractured bones.
skin disorders
promotes sexual  rejuvenation
    Since its action seems to be more systemic rather than one which affects a specific biological function, royal jelly has been highly recommended for a large variety of purposes. 
    Nearly all the scientific investigators have agreed upon at least two things:
          1. More laboratory and clinical studies are needed and should be made until the whole story of royal jelly is known; and,
          2. Nonetheless, royal jelly is a valuable addition to everyone's diet.
The Banting Institute of Ontario, on analyzing royal jelly found that it is rich in proteins and vitamins of the B complex and especially in pantothenic acid, the vitamin B which has been associated with longevity and in restoring gray hair to its original color. The United States Department of Agriculture has said that one gram (1/30 oz.) contains the following:

Vitamin B1 (Thiamin )-1.5 to 7.4 micrograms
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)-5.3 to 10.0 micrograms
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)-2.2 to 10.2 micrograms
Niacin (Nicotinic acid)-91.0 to 149.0 micrograms
Pantothenic Acid-65.0 to 200.0 micrograms
Biotin-0.9 to 3.7 micrograms
Inositol-78.0 to 150.0 micrograms
Folic Acid-0.16 to 0.50 micrograms
Vitamin C-a trace
Vitamin E-none

(The above information should not be seen as a claim for any remedial properties, it is entirely based on experience of royal jelly users, therefore it is advisable to consult your physician or homeopath regarding treatment).

Royal Jelly

Royal jelly is a milky colored liquid that is thick and rich in nutrients and though it is fed to the worker bees for only three days giving them a life span of seven weeks the queen bee feeds on it throughout her lifespan and lives for five years. When honey and bee pollen are mixed with enzymes produced from the bees’ salivary glands this mixture is what is known as royal jelly. Most bee keepers are aware that there are numerous nutritional benefits associated with royal jelly, which makes it very useful in apitherapy.

Components of Royal Jelly

This hive product is 70% water and in its pure form, it is very acidic with a PH that ranges between 3 and 4. The many benefits of pollen cannot even compare to those of royal jelly, which has the highest content of amino acids in all hive products and contains a total of 20 essential amino acids. Some of the other ingredients that are contained in royal jelly include glucose, lipids, vitamins, minerals, acetylcholine and other elements. Glucids are equal amounts of fructose and glucose while lipids are fatty acids and hydroxytransdecenoic acid, contains anti-fungal, anti-germinative and antibacterial properties. The minerals in royal jelly include iron, calcium and potassium.

Applications of Royal Jelly

Research has found royal jelly to be the richest natural source of all vitamins B especially B5 known as pantothenic acid. Other vitamins present in reduced quantities are vitamins C, vitamins B12 and liposoluble vitamins. In apitherapy, royal jelly plays a major role in disease resistance since it contains the sex hormones progesterone, estrogen and testosterone. This product is produced in various forms to make it fit for human consumption. These forms range from fresh, fresh frozen, dried/freeze capsule or tablet form, for rectal or vaginal administration, there are herbal preparations and honey mixtures.
The information in this article should not be considered medical advice. The information in this article is not meant to treat, diagnose, prescribe or cure any ailment. Always check with your physician before taking any products or following any advice you have read on Brighthub.com. Always consult your doctor before you start, stop or change anything that has been previously prescribed. Certain herbs and holistic remedies are unsuitable to take if you are pregnant or nursing and must always be cleared by your doctor before use.