Effectiveness Not Established

Royal Jelly

for Fatigue

Royal jelly is secreted from glands in the hypopharynx of worker bees and is used to nourish larvae and the queen bee. It is composed of water, crude protein, amino acids, simple sugars, and fatty acids. It also contains trace amounts of minerals and enzymes. Royal jelly has been applied topically to oral mucositis in patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy. 

Research Evidence Summaries

Mofid, B., Rezaeizadeh, H., Termos, A., Rakhsha, A., Mafi, A.R., Taheripanah, T., . . . Kashi, A.S. (2016). Effect of processed honey and royal jelly on cancer-related fatigue: A double-blind randomized clinical trial. Electronic Physician, 8, 2475–2482. 

doi: 10.19082/2475

Study Purpose

To evaluate the use of honey and royal jelly on fatigue in individuals undergoing treatment for cancer

Intervention Characteristics/Basic Study Process

In this study, the intervention group received processed honey and royal jelly. The control group received pure honey. Each group consumed 5 ml twice daily for four weeks. Assessments of outcome measures were completed at baseline, two weeks, and four weeks after the intervention.

Sample Characteristics

  • N = 52   
  • AGE = 54.8 years
  • MALES: 40%, FEMALES: 60%
  • CURRENT TREATMENT: Chemotherapy, radiation, combination radiation and chemotherapy, other
  • KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Solid tumors (breast, prostate, and gastrointestinal related)

Setting

  • SITE: Single site   
  • SETTING TYPE: Outpatient    
  • LOCATION: Iran

Phase of Care and Clinical Applications

PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment

Study Design

This was a double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial in which participants were randomized to one of two groups (intervention group = processed honey and royal jelly; control group = pure honey).

Measurement Instruments/Methods

Visual analog scale for fatigue (VAS-F) and fatigue severity scale

Results

Numeric fatigue ratings in the intervention group were significantly less than those reported in the control group (p < 0.001) at the week 2 and week 4.

Conclusions

The use of processed honey and royal jelly to manage cancer-related fatigue warrants further investigation into the mechanisms and efficacy of use.

Limitations

Small sample (< 100)

 

Nursing Implications

No side effects were noted in this study with the use of a dietary supplement. The results suggested that honey with royal jelly may help alleviate chemotherapy-related fatigue.

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