The spelling of the term "royal jelly" is based on the pronunciation in Received Pronunciation (RP) British English. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced as /ˈrɔɪəl ˈdʒɛli/. The first syllable "royal" is pronounced with a diphthong, starting with an "o" as in "oh" and ending with an "i" as in "it." The second syllable "jelly" is pronounced with a hard "g" sound as in "go" and a short "e" as in "bet." Royal jelly is a nutritious substance produced by bees and used as a dietary supplement.
Royal jelly is a highly nutritious substance secreted by worker bees in a honey bee colony. It is a milky-white, gelatinous substance with a distinctively sweet and sour taste. This special substance is used to nourish and develop the queen bee throughout her entire life, and it plays a fundamental role in her longevity and fertility. Royal jelly is stored in special cells within the hive, and worker bees diligently feed it to young larvae for the first three days of their lives to stimulate their growth and development.
Characterized by its rich composition, royal jelly contains an array of essential nutrients, including proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, and minerals. It is particularly renowned for its high content of vitamins B5, B6, and B12, as well as numerous beneficial enzymes and hormones. This unique combination of nutrients contributes to the potential health benefits associated with royal jelly, such as boosting immune function, enhancing energy levels, promoting skin health, and supporting reproductive health.
In addition to its nutritional value, royal jelly has attracted attention for its potential medicinal properties. Traditional medicine practitioners have utilized royal jelly for centuries due to its purported ability to improve fertility, aid in managing menopause symptoms, and even alleviate certain skin conditions. However, it is worth noting that scientific research on the medicinal properties of royal jelly is still ongoing, and further studies are required to fully understand its potential benefits and mechanisms of action.
The word "royal jelly" is composed of two parts: "royal" and "jelly".
The term "royal" originally comes from the Latin word "regalis", meaning "related to a king" or "belonging to a king". It eventually evolved into the Old French term "real", which meant "royal" or "princely". The term remained the same in English and has been used since the 14th century to describe anything pertaining to kings, queens, or royalty.
The word "jelly" comes from the Old French word "gelée", meaning "gelatinous substance" or "congealed liquid". This term also comes from the Latin word "gelāre", meaning "to freeze" or "to congeal".
Thus, "royal jelly" refers to a jelly-like substance associated with royalty or kingship.