Royal jelly is a creamy white substance, very acidic, with a peculiar odor and a slightly bitter taste, exceedingly nutritious. Secreted by glands found under pharynx of the young worker bees it is used to feed all the larvae until the age of three days, and adult queens.

There is no genetic difference between queens and their attendants growing in the same cell. The only variation comes from the fact that the larvae for queens are fed exclusively on royal jelly every day, while those for laborers after the third day, with a mixture of nectar and pollen. As a result, the queens develop within 14 days, they are larger in size and heavier, have a highly developed genetic system with ovaries and fully developed spermathecae, have a longer life (2-4 years), and a higher productivity.

Under the influence of royal jelly the queen is able to give birth daily up to 1200 eggs, which means that the weight of eggs in one day exceeds twice its own weight. On the contrary the workers complete their development within 21 days, live for shorter time (35-40 days) and do not lay eggs. The royal jelly, being a natural product, it is absolutely harmless, and without any side effects or addiction. Its quality depends on its freshness. Maintained at 5ºC (domestic refrigerator) up to 6 months, while air, light and metal utensils may affect it. As mentioned previously, royal jelly is not a medicine but a food, and owing to its various healing properties makes it a substance, which one must be very careful about when consuming.

For example, one could eat as much honey as one wants, however the (recommended) maximum for royal jelly is half a gram daily. Moreover, in cases of chronic disease it would be advisable to consult with an attending physician.

Someone could eat as much honey as he wants, for example, but royal jelly maximum half-gram daily. Also it would be wise are instances of chronic diseases to be consulted and the attending physician.