What is Apilarnil?
While many people know about royal jelly, apilarnil remains a lesser-known bee product with some fascinating properties. Let’s explore what it is and why people use it.
Apilarnil’s journey into the health market began in 1980 when Nicholas Iliesiu first introduced it commercially. Despite being around for over 40 years, it hasn’t gained the same popularity as royal jelly.
This might be due to the more complex harvesting and storage requirements, or simply because less research has been conducted on its benefits. However, apitherapists (practitioners who use bee products for health purposes) continue to report positive results with their patients.
What is Apilarnil?
Apilarnil is a natural substance made from male (drone) bee larvae. Its name is partly inspired by the man who discovered it (api = bee, lar = larva, nil = Nicholas Iliesiu). Think of it as the male version of royal jelly!
The substance is harvested from beehives at a specific time – when the drone larvae are exactly seven days old. This timing is crucial because this is when the larvae reach their peak nutritional value.
How is apilarnil different from royal jelly?
While royal jelly comes from worker bee glands and is fed to all bee larvae, apilarnil comes from male bee (drone) larvae cells.
Its makeup is quite different from royal jelly, though both are considered valuable bee products. Inside each drone cell, you’ll find a complex mixture of:
- Bee jelly
- Pollen
- Honey
- Water
- Drone larvae bodies (which make up 97% of the content)
What makes it so special?
The nutritional profile of apilarnil is what makes it truly remarkable. On the seventh day of larval development, it reaches its full potential. The drone larvae contain over 10 million sperm cells, making them incredibly rich in reproductive compounds and nutrients.
The substance contains:
- Proteins
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Hormones (especially steroid hormones)
- Haemolymph (bee blood, which is more nutritious than human blood)
Apilarnil benefits
Despite not being as well-known as royal jelly, many natural health practitioners (apitherapists) believe in apilarnil’s benefits.
The high concentration of natural hormones and nutrients in apilarnil has led to its use in men’s health, with the following benefits:
- May help with fertility issues
- Could boost sex drive
- Might help with male menopause symptoms
Women may also benefit from apilarnil’s hormone-balancing properties. Common uses include:
- May help with PMS
- Could balance hormones
- Might reduce stress-related pain
Beyond gender-specific uses, apilarnil has been used to address various health concerns:
- May help with breathing problems
- Could help with bladder control
- Might boost fertility
How do you use apilarnil?
Getting apilarnil from hive to consumer requires careful handling and processing. The substance is available in two main forms:
- Powder
- Paste (mixed with honey)
Storage is crucial – apilarnil must be kept frozen to maintain its active compounds. Many people mix it with honey or add it to smoothies, though it’s important to follow proper dosage guidelines.
The future of apilarnil
As interest in natural health products grows, apilarnil is gaining more attention from researchers and health-minded consumers. While more scientific studies are needed to confirm its benefits, the traditional use and positive anecdotal evidence suggest this bee product might have more to offer than we currently understand.
