Q: What is royal jelly and where does it come from?
A: Royal jelly is a creamy white secretion produced by worker honeybees (Apis mellifera) to feed the queen bee. It's what allows the queen bee to grow larger, live longer (40 times longer than worker bees), and remain fertile throughout her life, laying up to 2,000 eggs per day. This product contains 100% raw royal jelly sourced from carefully selected beekeeping environments across North America, frozen fresh immediately after harvest to preserve its natural nutrients and enzymes.
Q: Why is this royal jelly frozen?
A: Freezing is the best method to preserve fresh royal jelly's natural properties. Royal jelly is immediately frozen after harvest to preserve its full spectrum of nutrients, enzymes, and bioactive compounds without using heat or preservatives. Unlike heat processing or freeze-drying, freezing doesn't degrade heat-sensitive nutrients and enzymes. It also helps maintain the natural 10-HDA content that can be lost with other preservation methods. Frozen royal jelly is the closest to how it exists in the hive.
Q: What is 10-HDA and why is it important?
A: 10-HDA (10-Hydroxy-2-decenoic acid) is a fatty acid found naturally in royal jelly. It's unique to royal jelly and not found in other bee products. The presence and concentration of 10-HDA is used as a quality indicator for fresh royal jelly - higher quality, fresh royal jelly typically contains higher levels of 10-HDA. Freezing helps preserve the 10-HDA content, while heat processing can degrade it.
Q: How much should I take?
A: Royal jelly is traditionally consumed in small amounts. A typical serving is 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon (approximately 1-3 grams) daily. Start with smaller amounts to assess tolerance. It can be taken directly by mouth or mixed into honey, smoothies, or beverages. Many people take it in the morning on an empty stomach. Consult a healthcare practitioner for personalized guidance based on your individual needs.
Q: How should I store this product?
A: Before opening, keep frozen at -18°C (0°F) or below until ready to use. After opening, keep refrigerated at 2-8°C (35-46°F) and use within a reasonable timeframe for best quality. Always use a clean, dry spoon each time to avoid contamination. Do not leave at room temperature for extended periods. Proper storage is essential to maintain the quality and freshness of raw royal jelly.
Q: Can I be allergic to royal jelly?
A: Yes, royal jelly is a bee product and can cause allergic reactions. Do not use if you are allergic to bees, bee products, or pollen. Allergic reactions can be serious and may include symptoms like itching, hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, or anaphylaxis. If you have asthma or a history of allergies, consult a healthcare professional before use. Discontinue use immediately if any adverse reactions occur.
Q: What does royal jelly taste like?
A: Fresh royal jelly has a distinctive tart, slightly bitter taste and a thick, creamy consistency. The taste is quite strong and unique - some describe it as pungent or acidic. Many people prefer to mix it with honey or add it to smoothies rather than taking it plain. The strong taste is normal and indicates freshness.
Q: Is this safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
A: Consult a healthcare professional before use if you are pregnant or nursing. While royal jelly has been used traditionally, there is limited research on its safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Your healthcare provider can advise based on your individual situation and help you make an informed decision.
Q: How is this different from freeze-dried royal jelly capsules?
A: This is 100% raw, frozen fresh royal jelly - the closest to how it exists in the hive. Freeze-dried royal jelly has been processed to remove moisture, which can affect some of the heat-sensitive nutrients and enzymes. Fresh frozen royal jelly maintains its full spectrum of natural compounds including proteins, amino acids, vitamins, fatty acids like 10-HDA, and enzymes. However, it requires frozen storage, while freeze-dried capsules are shelf-stable. Fresh frozen is preferred by those seeking the most unprocessed form.
Q: Why is this sourced from North America?
A: This royal jelly is sourced from carefully selected beekeeping environments across North America with a focus on quality, traceability, and purity. North American sourcing allows for better quality control and traceability compared to imported products. The product is also produced and packaged in Canada under rigorous quality standards, ensuring safety, consistency, and freshness from the beehives to your home.
Q: Can children take royal jelly?
A: Consult a healthcare practitioner before giving royal jelly to children. Royal jelly is a potent substance and may not be appropriate for all children, especially those with allergies or asthma. A healthcare provider can advise on whether it's suitable for your child and what amount would be appropriate based on their age and health status.
Q: How long will one jar last?
A: One 250g (8.8 oz) jar contains approximately 83-250 servings, depending on the serving size. If taking 1 gram (approximately 1/4 teaspoon) daily, one jar would last approximately 250 days. If taking 3 grams (approximately 1/2 teaspoon) daily, one jar would last approximately 83 days. Actual duration depends on your individual serving size.
