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SupplementScience

Royal Jelly Side Effects & Safety

Reviewed by·PharmD, BCPS

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Full disclaimer

Safety Profile

Overall safety rating: Safe with Caution

Potential Side Effects

  • Allergic reactions — the most serious concern; ranges from contact dermatitis and GI upset to severe anaphylaxis, especially in individuals with bee product or pollen allergies
  • GI discomfort — nausea, stomach cramps, and diarrhea reported at higher doses
  • Asthma exacerbation — royal jelly has triggered bronchospasm and asthma attacks in sensitized individuals
  • Contact dermatitis when applied topically in allergic individuals
  • Hormonal effects — estrogenic activity may be undesirable for individuals with hormone-sensitive conditions

Drug & Supplement Interactions

  • Anticoagulants (warfarin) — royal jelly may have mild anticoagulant effects; monitor for increased bleeding
  • Hormone replacement therapy — additive estrogenic effects due to 10-HDA's estrogen receptor activity
  • Antihypertensives — royal jelly peptides may lower blood pressure; additive hypotensive effect possible
  • Immunosuppressants — royal jelly may modulate immune function; theoretical concern for transplant patients

Maximum Dose

Do not exceed: 6000mg fresh equivalent daily (higher doses used in lipid trials without serious adverse effects)

Full Royal Jelly Guide

References

  1. Asama T, Matsuzaki H, Fukushima S, Tatefuji T, Hashimoto K, Takeda T (2018). Royal jelly supplementation improves menopausal symptoms such as backache, low back pain, and anxiety in postmenopausal Japanese women. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. DOI PubMed
  2. Guo H, Saiga A, Sato M, Miyazawa I, Shibata M, Takahata Y, Morimatsu F (2007). Royal jelly supplementation improves lipoprotein metabolism in humans. Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology. DOI PubMed
  3. Morita H, Ikeda T, Kajita K, Fujioka K, Mori I, Okada H, Uno Y, Ishizuka T (2012). Effect of royal jelly ingestion for six months on healthy volunteers. Nutrition Journal. DOI PubMed
  4. Sugiyama T, Takahashi K, Mori H (2012). Royal jelly acid, 10-hydroxy-trans-2-decenoic acid, as a modulator of the innate immune responses. Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders Drug Targets. DOI PubMed
  5. Park HM, Cho MH, Cho Y, Kim SY (2011). Royal jelly increases collagen production in rat tendon fibroblasts in vitro and in vivo. Journal of Medicinal Food. DOI PubMed
  6. Kamakura M (2011). Royalactin induces queen differentiation in honeybees. Nature. DOI PubMed
  7. Thien FC, Leung R, Baldo BA, Weiner JA, Plomley R, Czarny D (1996). Asthma and anaphylaxis induced by royal jelly. Clinical & Experimental Allergy. DOI PubMed