The use of royal jelly to support or treat "nervous exhaustion" is primarily rooted in traditional medicine, particularly within European and East Asian herbal traditions. "Nervous exhaustion" is an older, non-specific term that generally refers to symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating, often associated with what is now classified as chronic fatigue syndrome or burnout. Royal jelly, a secretion produced by honeybees, has historically been valued as a tonic for vitality, longevity, and general well-being. In traditional medicine, it was sometimes recommended to strengthen the nerves or as a restorative for those suffering from stress-related fatigue.

Scientifically, there is limited evidence to validate royal jelly’s effectiveness for nervous exhaustion. Some small-scale studies have explored its potential benefits for fatigue and stress reduction, citing its content of B vitamins, amino acids, and antioxidants. However, these studies are generally preliminary, small in scale, and often do not directly address "nervous exhaustion" or similar conditions. There is a lack of robust clinical trials or meta-analyses supporting its use for this specific indication. Therefore, while the tradition exists, the scientific evidence remains weak, meriting a low evidence score.