1. What is Manuka Oil?
2. Manuka Oil Vs. Tea Tree Oil - What is the difference?
3. Can Manuka Oil be taken internally?
4. How do I use Manuka Oil properly?
5. Is Manuka Oil antiviral?
6. What does Manuka Oil smell like?
7. Can I use Manuka Oil on my dogs?
8. Can I use Manuka Oil on my cats?
9. Can I use Manuka Oil on my kids?
10. Can I use Manuka Oil while pregnant?
11. What is Manuka Oil used for?
11a. Manuka Oil for Toenail Fungus
11b. Manuka Oil for acne & other skin concerns
11c. Manuka Oil for ear infections (dogs & humans)
11d. Manuka Oil for cold sores
11e. Manuka Oil for oral health
11f. Manuka Oil for cough and respiratory concerns
11g. Manuka Oil for household use
11h. Manuka Oil for cuts, scabs, stings/bites, & scars
11i. Manuka Oil for hair
12. Adding Manuka Oil to skincare products
13. Disclaimers and Known Drug Interactions

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1. What is Manuka Oil?

Manuka oil is an essential oil that is steam distilled from the leaves and branches of the manuka tree. This is the same tree the bees pollinate to make manuka honey!

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2. Manuka Oil Vs. Tea Tree Oil - What is the difference?

Manuka & Tea Tree Oil share many of the same properties but with two key differences. Manuka oil is shown to be up to 33x more effective against harmful bacteria than tea tree oil. It is even effective against some antibiotic-resistant strains such as MRSA. Additionally, it is not as harsh on the skin, making it ideal for all sorts of topical applications.

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3. Can Manuka Oil be taken internally?

Generally, it is best not to use manuka oil internally. There have been a good number of studies showing that manuka oil is effective against viruses like HSV. That said, the lack of clinical trials means there needs to be more data on appropriate dosing, and it is toxic when too much is ingested.

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4. How do I use Manuka Oil properly?

Manuka oil should always be diluted! How much it is diluted will depend on the application. For instance, you might add only one drop to each application of facial moisturizer but need a full teaspoon for a load of laundry.

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5. Is Manuka Oil antiviral?

Yes, manuka oil is a powerful antiviral!

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6. What does Manuka Oil smell like?

Fresh & earthy with notes of honey is the most common way this scent is described. It also has soothing, relaxing properties with used in aromatherapy.

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7. Can I use Manuka oil on my dogs?

Yes! Add it to their shampoo for a healthy coat and moisturized skin. You can also use it to treat bites, scrapes, and wounds. You can read more about thishere.

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8. Can I use Manuka Oil on my cats?

Manuka oil is considered too harsh for cats as they have very sensitive skin.

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9. Can I use Manuka Oil on my kids?

Yes! As always, make sure to dilute it.

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10. Can I use Manuka Oil while pregnant?

Yes, manuka oil is considered safe to use while pregnant.

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11. What is Manuka Oil used for?

You can use manuka oil for almost everything from DIY antibacterial cleaning products to acne spot treatment. Our favorite things to add this oil to are: skincare, conditioner, laundry, massage oil & DIY shower bombs! Here are some of the top conditions and uses manuka oil is suitable for:

11a. How can Manuka oil be used to treat toenail fungus?

Manuka oils' combination of antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties makes it the perfect oil toeliminate nail fungus.Not all nail issues are actually caused by a  fungus, but that is the only thing most OTC options treat.  Manuka oil works WITH the body, not just on it, penetrating even the thickest nail beds.

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11b. What are the benefits of using Manuka oil for  acne and other skin concerns?

Manuka oil is a fantastic spot treatment for acne, not just because of its antibacterial properties but because it locks the moisture in. In addition to acne, it has been shown to help maintain scalp and hair health, treat scrapes, burns, bites, and wounds, reduce wrinkles and scars, help ease aching joints and muscles, and more!

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11c. Can Manuka oil be used to treat  ear infections in both dogs and humans?

Many report manuka oil has given them relief from ongoing ear infections. We recommend diluting one drop of oil per teaspoon of carrier oil. This can then be placed in the ear with a dropper. Alternatively, soak a cotton ball in the mixture and place it in your ear canal for 15 minutes.

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11d. How effective is Manuka Oil in treating cold sores?

Simply spot-treat the sore with diluted manuka oil. Adding to your regular skin/lip care routine can also help reduce the occurrence of cold sores.

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11e. What are the benefits of using Manuka Oil for oral health?

Manuka oil is a fantastic addition to your oral care routine. It has been used for this purpose for years by natural dentists and generations of native Maori people. You can add a drop to your toothbrush or gargle with it. Check out some of our favorite oral care recipes in this blog post: https://www.shoppri.com/blogs/news/childrens-dental-health-month?_pos=5&_sid=fceba4897&_ss=r

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11f. How effective is Manuka Oil in treating cough and respiratory concerns?

Manuka oil can greatly ease respiratory issues like cough and congestion when used aromatically. You can add it to a diffuser, facial steam, put a drop on your shower bombs, straight into a warm bath, or even just add a drop to a handkerchief or pillowcase.

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11g. What are some household uses for Manuka Oil?

Manuka oil is the absolute best way to clean your house and is so easy to use. Combining 2-4 drops of manuka oil and a half cup of water can do everything from cleaning your toothbrush to your toilet! It is also a fantastic way to get clean, soft clothes. Simply add a teaspoon to your liquid detergent drawer or make your own dryer sheets using old t-shirts, white vinegar, and manuka oil.

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11h. Can Manuka oil treat cuts, scabs, stings/bites, and scars?

Manuka oil is a cicatrisant that promotes wound healing. When Manuka Oil is applied to the affected areas, it promotes the growth of new cells, encourages the skin to form scar tissues, and can help fade scars.

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11i. How can Manuka oil be beneficial for hair care?

Manuka oil nourishes your scalp, fights dandruff and bacterial or fungal infections, and promotes hair growth! Simply massage diluted manuka oil into your scalp or add it to your shampoo and conditioner!

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12. How do I add Manuka oil to skincare products?

This is our favorite way to upgrade our skincare! Add it to your shampoo/conditioner, lotion, acne cream, lip balm, and more. You can use our pre-diluted 10% manuka oil in sweet almond oil as a stand-alone oil cleanser and moisturizer.

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13. Disclaimers and Known Drug Interactions

As always, we strive to provide the best information backed by scientific studies. However, we are not doctors and cannot recommend any treatment for specific concerns. Talking to your doctor about any concerns you might have is essential.

That said, here is what we think you need to know:

Manuka Oil has no known severe, serious, moderate, or mild interactions with other drugs. There is, however, no research on using it while using other prescribed skin treatments.

Allergic reactions may occur, particularly in people allergic to bees or bee products.

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Manuka, Propolis & Sea Salt for Natural Oral Care

Do you know what the #1 reason for poison control calls involving children is? Ingestion of fluoride toothpaste. If that isn’t a reason to switch up your kid’s oral care routine, we don’t know what is! 

In case you do need more convincing or just love to learn, let’s take a look at the growing evidence between overall health and our oral health. Many issues, such as cardiovascular & respiratory diseases, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, dementia & more, have been linked to periodontal diseases.

Unbiased studies show that fluoride does not prevent any harmful bacteria. This knowledge and growing concern about fluoride exposure and toxicity has increased the popularity of natural oral care options. 

If you have explored the world of clean oral care, you’ve likely heard of oil pulling and various essential oils to incorporate into your routine. 

What you may not have heard of are the wide-ranging oral benefits of Manuka Honey, Manuka Oil, Propolis, and Sea Salt. In fact, you can replace your family’s entire routine with these ingredients!

Let’s start with the benefits of each ingredient:

Manuka Honey: This is probably the most surprising out of the group because of its natural sugar content. Yet, study after study shows that manuka helps reduce plaque by preventing the development of biofilms, which is what makes plaque so hard to remove. It also restricts bacteria formation preventing tooth cavities and other gum problems like periodontal disease, gingivitis, bleeding, receding gums, dry mouth, and bad breath. This is not for use on children under one-year-old. 

Manuka Oil: If you haven’t met Tea Tree Oil’s more powerful cousin, let us introduce you! Manuka oil is shown to be up to 33x more effective against most bacteria than tea tree oil. It has also been tested alongside peppermint oil against two of the most common oral pathogens and again found more effective. Manuka oil is generally considered one of the most antibacterial & antimicrobial oils in existence. 

Propolis: another amazing compound with the ability to prevent plaque formation! Plaque is considered to be the main cause of most oral diseases. It also fights bad bacteria and canker sores.

Sea Salt: many use a salt gargle for sore throats, but it can also help soothe bleeding gums and heal canker sores faster. It may also speed recovery after dental surgery. The thought is that a sea salt rinse can balance your mouth’s pH levels, making it an inhospitable environment for bad bacteria. 

Now that you know why to use these four key ingredients, let’s discuss how to use them.

There are a plethora of ways you can incorporate manuka honey, oil, propolis, and sea salt into your & your child’s routine. To some extent, how you use it will depend on just how DIY you want to go.  You can find a ton of natural oral care recipes online, such as these from our friend Stacy of No Fuss Natural.

Here we will explore a simple routine to use the products without full-blown recipes:

Step one: Add one drop of manuka oil to one tablespoon of coconut oil.**

Step two: Swish the oil around in your mouth for 15-20 minutes - or for as long as they can do it. Some swishing is better than none! Make it a game and see who can go longer.

Step three: Spit oil into a trashcan (it can clog your pipes!) 

Step four: using a clean finger, apply manuka honey to your teeth and gums and gently brush your teeth using a toothbrush

Step five: add a quarter teaspoon of sea salt and 5 drops of propolis to a cup of warm water.

Step six: gargle & swish the salt rinse. Spit out when done!

**Note: Oil pulling is best for older kids as you do not want to swallow the oil once done.

We’d love to hear what you do to a gold star at the dentist's office! Write us a note and let us know.

This is the cuticle oil for longer, stronger nails & healthy cuticles, .naturally! We all have had cuticle and nail issues and understand we need to take care of them…but what really are the purpose of our cuticles?

Cuticles are actually part of your skin that grows over the bottom of your nail and covers your nail matrix. The nail matrix is the part of your nail that grows so, the cuticle acts as a very important protective barrier for your nails!

This cuticle oil is  a SUPER simple DIY & another great natural health hack!  All you need is:

• Manuka Honey - (1) Honey is a humectant, which basically means it locks in moisture. (2) Manuka is also full of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

• Manuka Oil - (3) Shown to be 33x more effective against most bacteria than tea tree oil & also helps retain moisture. It can also help with brittle nails.

• Coconut Oil AND

• ACV - Both of these ingredients are packed with essential nutrients to help keep your nails strong and repair chipped or brittle nails.

All of these ingredients work together to create a hydrated nail bed, free from invasive bacteria and fungus. Simply mix the ingredients together and you’re done! While you can get inexpensive cuticle pens online and in lots of stores it is optional, just make sure you store the oil in a container with a lid. 

Simply rub into your cuticles and nails, leave for 10-15 minutes and rinse! Do this daily or, if you have problem nails, up to 3x a day.

Resources:

(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5038978/

(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3941901/

(3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7694078/

 

Those who have it, know how difficult psoriasis is to both manage and live with. As there is currently no cure for psoriasis, those who have been diagnosed with this autoimmune disease not only have to endure internal & external pain but also live with skin lesions that can make them feel self-conscious. If you are one of the over 7 million people in the U.S. affected by psoriasis and want to learn more about how manuka honey can help, along with other management tips, click here.

If you want to know more about what psoriasis is, read on!

Like many autoimmune diseases little is known about the cause of psoriasis however, enough is understood about our immune response to understand how & why it manifests the way it does. When you have psoriasis your T cells, which normally help your body protect against threatening foreign substances, are overactive. This overactivity causes them to attack not just disease-causing substances but also healthy skin cells. 

Everyone’s skin cells are constantly dying and regrowing, a process that would normally take about a month. For someone WITH psoriasis though, this takes only a few days causing painful, red, itchy, scaly patches of build-up on the skin. 

This cycle doesn’t tend to stop without some sort of treatment and can be more or less severe depending on many factors. These factors are different from person to person but can include stress, change in the weather, cuts, burns or scrapes, seasonal allergies, and dryer weather such as in dry desert climates or during winter.

While there are not many studies directly related to the use of Manuka Honey on psoriasis, it is thought to have great promise in treating psoriasis lesions. Unlike other honey, Manuka contains a unique component known as MGO; MGO has been shown to be a great aid in anti-inflammatory & antibacterial treatments. In addition to this, there is an overwhelming number of anecdotal reports on the effectiveness of Manuka Honey in reducing the severity of psoriasis outbreaks (by regular internal use) and the management of skin lesions/ external pain (when applied externally).

Manuka oil is shown to have many of the same benefits when used externally. Additionally, both the oil and honey have been shown effective against Staphylococcus Aureus, which has long been associated with atopic dermatitis. 

Given there are no known side effects from using Manuka oil or honey in conjunction with other treatments or on their own, why not give it a try and see if it can be beneficial to your symptoms? In fact, here is a special code just for you for 15% off any PRI Manuka Honey or Oil with the code SKINHELP.

Here are some great and easy ways to incorporate manuka products into your routine:

1. Add manuka oil and/or honey to your current moisturizer, body, or face wash. Adding to your shampoo and conditioner can also be a great help if you have scalp psoriasis 
2. Apply manuka oil and/or honey directly to your skin. (Note 100% Manuka oil needs to be diluted before external use. This can be done with any of your favorite carrier oils; simply add 10 drops of manuka oil to 2 Tablespoons of carrier oil.) We also have a pre-diluted 10% manuka oil (carried in almond oil) which is great for use right out of the bottle! If using Manuka honey, simply apply to the affected area and cover before bed!
3. Add manuka honey and/or oil + Epsom salts to your bath. The salts will help you shed dead skin, while the manuka will help kill bad bacteria & fungus while locking in moisture. You can also add ground-up oats for some extra love.
4. Help remove irritating dead skin and soothe inflammation with the most gentle exfoliating technique ever: honey tapping! Using only honey and your hands or a spoon honey tapping is a great way to exfoliate sensitive skin.
5. Take at least one tablespoon of manuka honey per day to help fight internal inflammation.

And, make sure to catch some sun! Ultraviolet B rays have also been shown to reduce the symptoms of psoriasis and  as little as 10 minutes in direct sun can be enough. 

Resources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7694078/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5562472/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atopic-dermatitis-eczema/symptoms-causes/syc-20353273#:~:text=Atopic%20dermatitis%20(eczema)%20is%20a,irritating%20but%20it%27s%20not%20contagious

https://www.psoriasis.org/scalp/

Manuka Oil has long been recognised and well-known for its Medicinal purposes like antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and healing properties. Many are most familiar with manuka oil's cousin, tea tree oil. Manuka oil has actually been shown to be up to 33x stronger against most bacteria than tea tree oil!  Long before there were honey bees in NZ to make manuka honey, the Maori peoples were using manuka oil, bark and leaves to treat a variety of issues from skin conditions to oral care. Our Manuka Oil—drawn from the leaf of the Manuka tree through a steam distillation process that keeps everything natural—using low temperature with no added chemicals, is packed with active compounds. Below are five amazing benefits of Manuka Oil:

• Natural Antiseptic - For centuries, Manuka Oil has been used to prevent disease-causing microorganisms. It is effective to inhibit the growth of microbes to reduce the possibility of infection.
• Cicatrisant - This means wound healing, when Manuka Oil is applied to the affected areas it promotes the growth of new cells and encourages the skin to form scar tissues and also can help fading scars.
• Skin, Hair & Nails - The soothing and hydration benefits of Manuka Oil can improve your skin’s appearance, reduce wrinkles and can help treat irritations, blemishes and acne. Massaging your scalp can help in increasing blood circulation which moisturizes, nourishes, promotes hair growth and strengthens the hair roots. You can apply a few drops to your nails and between your toes, the antifungal properties may be an effective treatment for nail fungus. 
• Relaxation - The aromatic substance of Manuka Oil helps relieve stress, boost your energy levels, helps provide enough restful sleep and it leaves a soothing effect on your body and mind. 
• Deodorant - Manuka Oil is an effective natural deodorant because of their antibacterial and antifungal properties which makes you feel clean and fresh! You can also add a few drops to your body wash.
• For Cleaning - Manuka Oil acts as a natural disinfectant, just add a few drops into your spray bottle together with water or your favorite cleaning solution.

 

 

Resources: 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7694078/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3677636/

https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/13/11/343/htm

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7414039/

https://pharmacy.mahidol.ac.th/journal/_files/2017-44-4_4.pdf

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2021.783832/full

There is nothing like a lengthy soak in a bath of warm water to melt the stress away, so make sure to set a date with your tub as often as possible. And to make it extra soothing, you can add Manuka Honey, Manuka Oil, and Sea Salt; all ingredients which will leave the skin feeling smoother, softer, and brighter. The combined antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory & pH balancing benefits can help remove toxins, and dead skin cells, and cleanse your skin’s pores deeply keeping your skin moisturized and nourished. Here are some of our favorite recipes to take your bath from average to “oh my goodness, I feel so much better!”

Rejuvenate with Fresh Mint and Herbs

Need a mental and physical refresh? Whip up this recipe for Calendula and Mint infused herbal bath salts, which will calm your mind and soothe your body. These bath salts feature our Bio-Gro Certified Sea Salt, full of trace minerals to infuse your bath with relaxation. These bath salts were created by our friend Colleen. Click here for the recipe - https://www.growforagecookferment.com/herbal-bath-salt/

Simply Rejuvenating Bath Soak 

When you don’t have a lot of time on your hands, but you know you need a dip in the tub, you can spruce up your bath with just two ingredients that are nutrient-dense, antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory (as well as being known relaxants,) that will help you de-stress and feel better. 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of Pacific Sea Salt
• 3-5 drops of Manuka Oil
• Stir the salt into a hot bath to dissolve, and then let the water cool to your preferred soaking temperature. Add in the drops and soak to your heart’s content.

Silky Smooth Manuka Bubble Bath

When you are feeling spent, it might be time to spend some time in a luxury bath full of delicious ingredients that will leave you feeling silky-smooth and ready for anything that comes your way!

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup sweet almond oil
• 1/3 cup PRI Manuka Honey
• 1/2 cup unscented body soap
• 1/4 cup vegetable glycerin
• Optional: a few drops of a favorite essential oil (though the honey smell is divine as is!) In a mixing bowl, combine all of the above ingredients until smooth. Use right away or keep stored in a lidded container in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months. To use: pour 1/4 cup-1/2 cup under running water. Enjoy!

And if you need a quick option - simply scoop a couple of tablespoons of our Manuka honey directly under the warm running water as you fill the tub. Then soak the day away, while you relax and allow your skin to enjoy the healing power of the honey.