Bee milk, also known as royal jelly, milk serum, or bee queen milk, is made from the milky white gel-like substance secreted by the pharyngeal glands of worker bees and mixed with honey. While honey is highly nutritious and has medicinal value, it cannot compare to bee milk. As we all know, every bee colony has a queen bee, and without a queen, honey cannot be produced. The queen bee is larger in size and is considered the "ruler" of the hive. It has the ability to reproduce, laying eggs that weigh more than its own body weight in a 24-hour period. The queen bee also has a longer lifespan, living for 3-6 years, while worker bees typically live for only 30-60 days and can live up to 5-6 months during the winter when they are inactive. The reason for the significant difference between the queen bee and the worker bees is the miraculous effect of bee milk. The queen bee consumes bee milk, while worker bees consume honey. This indicates that bee milk has much higher nutritional value than honey. Bee milk is a precious substance that can promote longevity.
First, Nutritional Composition and Taste
Bee milk is neutral in nature and has a sweet and sour taste. It contains protein, fat, ash, various vitamins (mainly B vitamins, followed by vitamin A), various essential amino acids for the human body, substances similar to acetylcholine, and substances similar to gonadotropins. The protein content is 12.34%, and the fat content is 5.46%.
Second, Medical and Health Benefits
Research has shown that bee milk can stimulate reproductive ability, enhance the body's resistance, promote metabolism, improve hematopoietic function, repair tissues, promote cell proliferation, and regulate the nervous system, blood pressure, blood sugar, and lifespan. It has a high therapeutic effect on conditions such as leukopenia, anemia, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, hepatitis, cirrhosis, neurasthenia, nephritis, rheumatoid arthritis, peripheral circulatory disorders, infertility, gastrointestinal disorders, and more. Bee milk can also be used to treat skin diseases such as dermatitis, hair loss, and flat warts. Adding bee milk to skincare creams can protect facial skin.
In recent years, there have been reports both domestically and internationally that a special substance called royalactin in bee milk has anti-cancer effects.
Third, Dietary Therapy
Dietary Therapy 1:
[Ingredients] A suitable amount of 1% bee milk.
[Preparation] Take a suitable amount of bee milk and set it aside.
[Usage] The daily oral dosage is 5ml for children under 4 years old, 10ml for children aged 5-10, and 20ml for individuals above 10 years old. Divide it into two portions and take it in the morning and evening. Continue for 60 days.
[Effects] Suitable for acute infectious hepatitis and malnutrition.
Dietary Therapy 2:
[Ingredients] 400ml of bee milk.
[Preparation] Take 400ml of bee milk and set it aside.
[Usage] Oral administration, 20ml-30ml each time, once a day. Continue for 3-6 months.
[Effects] Suitable for chronic rheumatoid arthritis.
Fourth, Precautions for Consumption
(1) Not suitable for consumption before bed for middle-aged and elderly individuals: The blood of middle-aged and elderly individuals tends to be in a hypercoagulable state. The high fructose and glucose content in bee milk can increase blood viscosity. Consuming bee milk before bed can slow down heart rate and further increase blood viscosity, causing local hemodynamic abnormalities, leading to microcirculation disorders, and easily triggering cerebral thrombosis.
(2) Not suitable for simultaneous use with anticholinergic drugs: Bee milk contains two substances similar to acetylcholine, which can counteract the effects of anticholinergic drugs such as atropine. Simultaneous use of bee milk and anticholinergic drugs can significantly reduce the effectiveness of anticholinergic drugs.
(3) Not suitable for individuals with low blood pressure: Although bee milk has a strong nourishing effect, it also has a hypotensive effect. Therefore, it is not suitable for individuals with low blood pressure.
(4) Not suitable for consumption while taking antipyretics: Simultaneous consumption of antipyretics and high-sugar bee milk can form complexes by combining with the sugar in bee milk, slowing down the initial absorption rate of antipyretic drugs and reducing their effectiveness.
(5) Not suitable for consumption while taking adrenal corticosteroids: Adrenal corticosteroids promote gluconeogenesis, inhibit glycogenolysis, and increase blood sugar levels. Simultaneous consumption of high-sugar foods, such as bee milk, with adrenal corticosteroids can easily induce diabetes. Therefore, bee milk should not be consumed while taking adrenal corticosteroids.
(6) Not suitable for consumption while taking gastric and digestion aids: Bee milk has a sweet taste and can stagnate Qi, affecting the digestive and absorptive function of the spleen and stomach, and decreasing the effectiveness of digestion aids. Therefore, bee milk should not be consumed while taking gastric and digestion aids.
(7) Not suitable for excessive consumption in children: Bee milk contains hormone-like substances. Excessive consumption by children can lead to abnormal development and premature puberty. Therefore, children should not consume bee milk excessively or regularly.
