Report From The Kitchen #9 - Did Aristotle Eat Royal Jelly For Breakfast?

When I started to look into the history of Royal Jelly when I was considering using it in my products, I discovered that there was this claim that Aristotle ate it for breakfast.  At first I thought this was not very probable because how on earth would anyone know that?  The philosopher did have a fascination with bees, however.  In his book History of Animals, Aristotle describes bee reproduction, noting that worker bees feed the queen bee with honey, which we know today as royal jelly.

Royal jelly is popular in skin care products that target dry, damaged skin, acne, and signs of aging.  You will find it in facial masks, moisturizers, and Van Man’s Bison Tallow and Honey Balm.  It is a milky secretion from the glands of worker honey bees used to feed all larvae in the have, as well as exclusively for queen bees throughout their development.  Interestingly, its composition varies by geography and climate.  It’s nutritional profile is key to its skincare applications.

It contains proteins, including major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs), and fatty acids like trans-10-Hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA) and 10-Hydroxydecanoic acid, which are thought to contribute to skin health (12 Potential Health Benefits of Royal Jelly). It also includes vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, A, C, D, and E, and minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc, providing deep nourishment. These nutrients support cell renewal, hydration, and elasticity, potentially combating dry skin and fine lines.

There is more work to do to discover exactly how much of a positive impact it has on your skin but there is no doubt that companies and consumers are making big bets on its effectiveness.

Is Royal Jelly Good For Your Skin?

First, it is important to note that antioxidants are crucial for protecting skin from free radical damage, which can lead to premature aging. Royal jelly exhibits antioxidant properties due to phenolic compounds, peptides, amino acids, and fatty acids.  While its effects are still being studied, compounds like 10-HDA have been shown to alleviate oxidative stress and act as effective free radical scavengers.  These properties may help reduce inflammation and protect against environmental aggressors.  This can support overall skin vitality.

Beyond anti-aging, royal jelly offers additional skin benefits. It has antibacterial properties, which may make it effective against bacteria and viruses.  It can also potentially help treat acne causing germs, which may minimize outbreaks and prevent new ones.  Royal jelly regulates oil production, lowering the risk of clogged pores.  Regular use may also reduce dark spots and hyperpigmentation.  This can brighten the skin and help to give it a natural glow.  Finally, its anti-inflammatory effects can soothe sensitive, redness-prone skin.  This can reduce inflammation which has been linked to premature aging.

I’m not eating royal jelly for breakfast, but given all of these potential benefits I am using it in VanMan’s Bison Tallow and Honey Balm which you can check out here: