The New Way to Start the New Year

It's that time of year again, and we're sure you're thinking: "oh great, here's another brand talking about resolutions and how to be 'better' next year if we buy their products 🙄”.

Here's the thing, though, we're not going to. Well, we will do the first part, just differently from how you think. Bear with us here.

At PRI, transparency is one of our four core values. Often, that means transparency in sourcing, labeling & your ability to see your honey’s test results quickly. In our blog and social posts, it might translate into what words we use to describe our product’s abilities and ensure we are always sharing studies. It also means openness in sharing our beliefs & values to better connect with our partners and customers.

In our constant quest to be more transparent, we have many conversations about the meaning of words. Some words or phrases are defined in the dictionary in one way but used by the general public or brands in another way. Some examples you might be familiar with are “all-natural” or “made with organic ingredients.”

For instance, many products only need to contain 95% organic ingredients to be certified organic! 

After having those conversations, & rereading last year's blog post about our top tips for making realistic resolutions, we had a moment of clarity about two things. 

1 - Our tips culminated into one core feeling:  Positive Solutions > Resolutions.

2 - We've always known that we don't need to go on the newest diet, track every bit of food put into our bodies, or cause massive amounts of stress trying to cut out our favorite foods simply because someone said it was terrible for us. 

The missing first step.

Even so, we were still missing a critical first step: The need to approach WHY we want to change the things we want to change about ourselves. 

Which of our desired changes come from toxic societal influence or past trauma, and which will genuinely serve us in the long run? Once we've done that, we can look at what remains as a puzzle (not a problem) that we can only solve by creating positive solutions and showing kindness to ourselves. 

So, in 2023 our quest is to be vigilant: 

Vigilant against unrealistic resolutions.

Vigilant against negative self-speak.

Vigilant against the constant seeking of a perfection which does not exist.

Vigilant against applying restrictions to ourselves that don't honor our bodies, our souls & our heritage.

Vigilant in our defiance of fear. 

So how do you practice this in everyday life?

We asked our CFO Kristy and some of our friends to share their thoughts on resolutions, honoring yourself, and tips about using positive solutions to become the best version of yourself possible.

Here is what our CFO Kristy Oakley had to say about unrealistic resolutions & how to make real change instead: 

“Resolutions - realistic or not - I don’t make them. I never have and never will. My family and friends that have made them rarely keep them long and then feel bad or guilty for not. This is unneeded pressure and guilt for a change you THINK you need to make and declare to the world.  

Real change happens in those quiet moments by yourself when no one is looking, and you have come to a place where you are ready and able to make whatever change that may be. 

If you are not ready, it can be a constant struggle despite many best attempts! 

Don’t let what you think others think you should change be a goal. Start with loving yourself where you are right now. When going out into the world, you have to be happy with who you are right now….not who you were, not who you will be, but who you are today in each moment. 

In this mindset, amazing things can happen, and realistic goals can be made and achieved. You are your greatest cheerleader! 

This is a challenging task, as loving yourself can be one of the most complex hurdles to jump. And sometimes, it is a daily challenge. I remind myself constantly! 

My daily tips:

1 - Be aware of those around you, and help make someone’s day by just noticing them 

2 - Smile even when you feel crappy(surprisingly, this actually helps bring happiness into your day!)

3 - Be thankful even if just for waking up to a new day or that first cup of tea or coffee ...it has a knock-on effect, you will see!”

Body-Positive Registered Dietitian Nutritionist & owner of Beautiful Eats & Things says: 

“This phrase “Vigilant against applying restrictions to ourselves that don't honor our bodies, our souls & our heritage” resonates with me. It reminds me that you don’t have to deprive or restrict yourself from things that bring you joy as a way to make positive changes. It also reminds me to be proud of who I am and where I come from.

Everywhere we turn, we face unrealistic body goals and unsolicited health advice encouraging us to fit society’s unattainable beauty standards. This year, challenge yourself to put YOU first and learn to appreciate YOU. This includes doing things that make you feel good—such as saying a few positive affirmations each morning before starting your day, giving yourself permission to eat and enjoy a meal instead of worrying about calories and weight gain, or simply telling your body, Thank You. Remember that you are enough, so start celebrating everything that makes you uniquely YOU!”

Lisa Fennessy, the founder of The New Knew, is on a mission to make non-toxic living the norm. Here’s her experience with defying fear and how you can too:

“I was terrified when I stopped dying my hair. I spent a lot of energy worrying about what I would look like and what others would think. I wavered, I wondered,d and I second-guessed myself again and again and again. Basically, I was living in a state of fear. 

Fast forward 2 years, and I had myself a cute gray shoulder-length bob, an attitude of gratitude, and a new frame of mind, and I loved the way I looked. 

Going from a state of fear about gray hair to absolutely loving my gray hair taught me so much. It blew my world open because something I 100% believed in was no longer true to me, and all of a sudden, I had power over it rather than it having power over me. 

I'm forever grateful for this experience because not only has it gifted me freedom in a way I never knew possible but it's invited me to examine other areas of my life a little more closely and to be able to separate fear from wants, fear from desires and fear from getting in the way of me living the biggest expression of myself. 

Want a few tips to do the same? Here's what helped along the way: 

1. Use the buddy system. Doing something scary for the first time? Find someone to do it with. There is strength in numbers, and this will hold you accountable.  

2. Change your reality. I never saw women my age with gray hair, so I started following them online and on social media. This normalized gray hair in my feed and, in turn, had a positive effect on my mindset. Something that looked so hard all of a sudden didn't seem so hard or abnormal anymore.  

3. Failure is not failure. Many of our journeys are not linear. I decided to go gray, and then I dyed my hair again. Was that a failure? NO! That was ultimately me getting one step closer to resoluteness. Go easy on yourself and know that vigilance can look like many things.”

50+ health, fashion, and lifestyle content-creator & founder of Life with Gloree B, Gloria Bissessar says: 

“In this virtual world where people usually show what is considered exciting or what may appear to be perfect lives, it is easy for us to want to be all those things, but the truth is, many aren't showing the less-than-perfect parts of their lives. 

This new year, I plan to show those less-than-perfect parts of my life so that others get a more realistic view of who I am. It is important to let others know that it is okay to have an extra inch or two on your waistline or to be struggling with accomplishing a goal. Instead of being consumed with what is not "perfect," let us focus on the good parts and maybe set smaller goals that can bring us closer to the bigger goal.  Let us celebrate all of our wins, from the smallest to the biggest, but most importantly, let us stop comparing ourselves to others. Embrace what is unique or different about you, and know that we are all special in our own way! Be kind to yourself and always be proud of doing YOUR best!!”

In 2023, we hope you’ll join us in vigilantly seeking positive solutions and giving ourselves grace. 

Celebrating Australia Day with a traditional dessert of… possibly...Australian origin. Why do we say possibly? There is much contention between Australia and New Zealand as to which country actually invented this delicious dish!

What is not a contentious fact is that this dessert (& several other dishes) were named after the beloved Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. She toured both Australia and New Zealand in 1926. Australians insist that the dessert was invented in a Perth hotel and named after a customer declared it “as light as {Anna} Pavlova.” Those in NZ say that a hotel chef in Wellington was inspired by Anna’s billowing tutu!

Either way, this dessert is found at pretty much every Australia Day celebration, so we’re topping it with our Australian Manuka to help combat the effects of the sugar on our oral and digestive systems and make it even more delicious!

Australia is home to 83 of the 86 known Leptospermum species worldwide, including the Leptospermum Scoparium species. Only one species is found in New Zealand, with the NZ species originating in Australia.  

Exceptionally high levels of MGO have been discovered in Manuka honey samples sourced in Australia (Cokcetin et al. 2016). The levels of DHA and MGO found in some Australian honey are comparable to or higher than those observed in New Zealand Manuka honey.  

Typically Australian Manuka is lower in cost due to there not being as many regulations as NZ. However, Since Australia doesn't have mandated testing, buyers should be more cautious when choosing which brand to purchase. Our Australian Manuka goes through the same testing process as our NZ Manuka, and each jar features a QR code that links to the test results for that batch so you can be sure that you are getting only 100% authentic Manuka honey.

What screams the holidays louder than a Trifle? If you live in New Zealand, home of Manuka honey and birthplace of our co-founder Linda, not much! 

Our CMO, Dominic, hails from England, the birthplace of the modern trifle. Since Dom is married to the CFO and founders’ daughter Kristy, that makes this recipe a verified P.R.I. family favorite!  

Now that the Noll family history lesson is over, we have to admit that we did tweak this a bit from your more traditional recipe by making it dairy free. Since an estimated 70% of people are lactose intolerant, it felt necessary. After all, everyone at your table deserves to enjoy all the delicious holiday goodies!

We also made it non-alcoholic by not soaking the sponge cake in sherry. If all of your party members are of drinking age, we recommend soaking; it is delicious! Simply cut the pound cake, lay it in a baking dish and add sherry until it is moist but not wet. Let it sit while you make the rest of the dessert. If boozy desserts are your jam, you might want to check out our Irish Porter Cake recipe too! 

Jello Layer:

• 4 envelopes of unflavored gelatin
• 3 cups raspberry cranberry juice
• 1 cup pomegranate juice
• 1-2 tbsp PRI Manuka Honey
• 6 oz. raspberries (fresh or frozen)
• ¼ cup pomegranate arils

Custard Layer:

• 1 cup full-fat coconut milk or heavy coconut cream
• 1 cup almond milk
• ½ cup PRI Manuka Honey 
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 3 large egg yolks
• pinch of salt

Other Ingredients:

• pound cake or angel food cake (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 - 10 oz. dairy-free whipped topping tubs (use Truwhip brand or make your own coconut whipped cream by whisking coconut cream, honey, and vanilla)
• 12 oz. fresh raspberries 
• ½ cup pomegranate arils
• 2 tbsp sliced almonds
• fresh mint leaves
• optional: meringue kisses

Custard Instructions:

1. Fill a large bowl with ice and water and set aside.
2. Pour coconut milk and almond milk into a saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium/low heat.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together Manuka honey, whole egg, egg yolks, cornstarch, and salt. Place the bowl near the stove for easy access to the milk mixture.
4. Once the milk begins to simmer, stir well to distribute the heat. 
5. Then turn off the stove and use a ladle to slowly add the hot milk to the egg mixture while whisking simultaneously. Continue to do this until half the mixture has been whisked in, then pour the rest into the bowl and continue to whisk well until incorporated.
6. Pour the mixture back into the pot and turn the heat to medium-low. Continuously whisk the mixture as it begins to heat. You’ll notice thickening after 5-10 minutes of whisking. Once it starts to thicken, turn the heat to low and stir well until desired consistency. The custard should be thin but not runny. 
7. Remove the custard from the heat and stir in vanilla bean paste. 
8. Cool the custard by placing the bowl inside the ice water bowl and stirring until the mixture cools down. Then cover with plastic wrap and poke holes in the film and refrigerate overnight to thicken.

Jello Instructions:

1. In a large pot, bring 2 cups of raspberry cranberry juice and 1 cup of pomegranate juice to a boil.
2. In a large bowl, pour 1 cup of raspberry cranberry juice and sprinkle four unflavored gelatin packets into the juice to cover the surface. Let it sit for a minute to bloom.
3. Pour the boiling juice into the large bowl with bloomed gelatin and stir well until dissolved. Then add the Manuka honey and stir until it is fully incorporated. This should take about 5 minutes.
4. Pour the jello mixture into a large trifle dish and then place in raspberries and pomegranate arils. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate to set overnight.

Assembly Instructions:

1. When ready to assemble, remove the trifle dish from the fridge and pipe or spoon the custard into an even layer.
2. Next, slice the poundcake into large or small cubes and fill the next layer with the cake pieces.
3. After the cake layer, spread whipped cream across the top and create a mound shape.
4. Finally, top with a large mound of fresh raspberries. Then sprinkle pomegranate arils and sliced almonds. Finish off with a few mint leaves. Top with store-bought or homemade meringue kisses to take it to the next level!
5. Serve and enjoy!

We might have buried the lede on this one. Not that we meant to, of course. For the record, we would never purposefully make such a delicious creation so hard to find.

Remember when we made that Dairy-Free Boba Recipe that tastes like store-bought boba? We couldn’t have made it without one key component - dairy-free sweetened condensed milk or, as some might say, “mylk.”

Your standard sweetened condensed milk contains over 160 grams of refined sugar per cup, making it both amazingly delicious & definitely not for regular consumption. Plus, an estimated 70% of people are lactose intolerant, so it’s important to find options everyone can enjoy - especially around the holidays! 

Since honey contains more fructose than glucose, it is naturally sweeter tasting. This means you can use less honey than sugar in your recipes to achieve the same level of sweetness. We typically swap one cup of sugar for ½ a cup of honey.

What makes it even better is the addition of Manuka honey! Manuka honey is unique because it’s the only honey in the world containing high levels of Methylglyoxal, aka MGO. MGO is the main medicinal component and makes Manuka a powerhouse of antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory benefits. 

Since MGO  is not killed off by heat, it’s a great way to sneak some health benefits into your desserts. Not only will no one complain, but they might even appreciate the deeper, more complex flavor that comes from using this fantastic sugar alternative.

Now, back to the tasty stuff! Read on to learn how to make an upgraded, dairy-free version of Sweetened Condensed Milk AND three new, delectable, effortless recipes you can create using it! Scroll down, or click below to view each one:

1-Base Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk

2-Manuka Honey Caramel Sauce

3-The Creamiest Hot Chocolate

4-Chocolate Fudge Truffles

A 2013 review of 29 clinical trials involving more than 11,000 people showed vitamin C supplementation did not consistently affect the duration or severity of the common cold. 

The authors of the study state: "The failure of vitamin C supplementation to reduce the incidence of colds in the general population indicates that routine vitamin C supplementation is not justified."

So what should you reach for when feeling ill? Research says Zinc! There have been many conflicting studies about Zinc over the years until more recently when scientists discovered that the key is to take zinc within 24 hours of experiencing symptoms. Furthermore, the studies showed that supplementation of Zinc for five months reduced the frequency of colds and antibiotic use. 

Zinc can be taken as a supplement, in lozenge or liquid form; however, many report a lasting bad aftertaste and upset stomach with these methods. Additionally, the most bioavailable form of Zinc is in food. Foods high in zinc include meat, legumes, nuts & seeds, and our favorite: dark chocolate.

Of course, eating more fruits and vegetables and ensuring you are getting the vitamins and minerals you need, including vitamin C, are essential to your overall health and will affect how often you get sick. 

Instead of juice, eat the whole fruit. Fruit juice contains high sugar content without fiber and other nutrients needed to process the sugars slowly. Additionally, eating whole fruits and vegetables is the best way for your body to absorb nutrients. 

Based on these factors and the effectiveness of Manuka honey for cold & flu symptoms, our Manuka Honey Dark Chocolate Patties are a great way to supplement some of your DV of zinc and Manuka honey to reduce symptoms and get you well faster! Dark chocolate lovers & vegans will enjoy the delicious dark chocolate bars from  Solomon’s Gold.

You can also incorporate dark chocolate & Manuka into tasty snacks your whole family will love! Here are a couple of our favorite recipes:

#1 - Chocolate & Honey Rice Cakes: top them with seeds & nuts for even more zinc!

#2 - Coffee Sweet Potato Nice Cream: because dessert can be nutrient-dense, delicious, AND decadent.

#3 - Chocolate Caramel Popcorn: perfect for movie night or an afternoon snack!

1. The Basics
2. The Compounds that Make it Special
3. What is a Certified CL level
4. Propolis Tincture Vs. Propolis Extract
5. Uses of Propolis:
    5a - Burn & Wound Treatment
    5b - Acne & Other Skin Concerns
    5c - Oral Health
    5d - Cold & Flu Symptoms
    5e - Diabetes Management
    5f - Brain Health
    5g - Gut Health
    5h - Upper Respiratory Infections
    5i - Natural Antibiotic
    5j - Candida
    5k - Nail Infections
6. How to Use Propolis & Our Top 5 Propolis DIYs
7. Disclaimers & Known Interactions

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Propolis is a bee-made resin using plant resins, a bit of honey, and a little bee saliva. They use it to fill in small cracks in the beehive. It also helps maintain the hive temperature, prevents predators from entering, and protects against dangerous microbes and fungi.

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Over 500 compounds have been found in propolis so far!! Many of them have anti-inflammatory benefits, but which compound is the superstar?  Flavonoids. 

Flavonoids are a type of antioxidant that has beneficial anti-inflammatory effects, and they protect your cells from oxidative damage that can lead to disease. Propolis is a super concentrated form of antioxidants. 

So, beyond the concentration, what makes the antioxidants in propolis different from, say, the ones found in blueberries? The bees do, of course! 

The mixture of plant resins, honey, and bee saliva adds antibacterial and antiseptic properties that simply cannot be matched!

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3. What is Certified CPL Level?

The certified CPL level ensures that you get a high, consistent level of flavonoids per gram of the finished product. Because propolis must first be broken down with alcohol and then with water, and all propolis has naturally varying levels of flavonoids, we must blend and test them to achieve consistent levels. This means you always know you are getting therapeutic levels of flavonoids in every bottle of  P.R.I. propolis.

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4. Propolis Extract Vs. Propolis Tincture

Propolis extract is water-based, while the tincture is alcohol based. You might have read that extracts are more potent than tinctures; however, with our certified CL levels, you will get the same potency no matter which base you choose. 

In its base form, Propolis can only be broken down with alcohol. The extract is then put into large vats and continuously beaten with water until the alcohol dissipates.  

We recommend the tincture for external uses like cuts, bites, acne, and wounds, but the extract is much more versatile and an excellent choice for small children and those who cannot consume alcohol. 

Additionally, if your recipe is oil-based, such as face oil, use the tincture, as the extract will not blend with the oil. 

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5. Uses of Propolis

Ancient cultures used propolis to treat wounds and abscesses on the skin and mouth. It was even used in the first and second World Wars to prevent infections and speed healing. Since then, we’ve found many more wonderful uses of propolis. Here we will attempt to cover them all:

As mentioned above, propolis has been used on wounds for quite some time, but our knowledge of how it works and its applications have expanded. Researchers tested propolis against several dangerous microbes and have found it very effective against aggressive bacteria.

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5b - Acne & Other Skin Concerns 

Propolis’ complex anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant properties make for an excellent natural acne treatment and preventative. Propolis is now in many skincare products & has proven to help lock in moisture and regenerate the skin. One study showed that propolis could reverse UV damage to the skin. Additionally, a combination of Olive Oil, Beeswax, Propolis, and Honey has been found very effective against diaper rash. 

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5c - Oral Health 

Over the last several years, the link between overall health and our oral health has become impossible to ignore. This knowledge and growing concern about fluoride exposure and toxicity has increased the popularity of natural oral care options. Did you know that children ingesting fluoride toothpaste are the #1 reason for poison control calls? (1) (2) Unbiased studies show fluoride doesn’t prevent any harmful bacteria, now is the time to switch to a natural oral care routine. Propolis has shown to be a fantastic natural addition to oral care that will actively fight harmful bacteria. Recent studies show it can also help protect against oral disease, reduce plaque and treat canker sores. 

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5d - Cold & Flu Symptoms 

The antiviral and antibacterial properties of propolis have made it a common natural treatment for cold & flu symptoms worldwide. It has even recently been studied against COVID. While further studies must be done, initial studies show that propolis may be part of a very effective treatment. 

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Propolis was first acknowledged in 1988 to act in an anti-hyperglycemic capacity, thus stabilizing blood sugar glucose. Since then, many more studies have shown that propolis may inhibit enzymes that increase blood sugar. 

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5f - Brain Health

Propolis is showing great promise in treating many brain conditions ranging from detoxification, oxidative stress,  neuroinflammation, brain injury, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy models, depression, cytotoxicity, cognitive improvement, and brain infections. These benefits are thought to be caused by propolis’ unique and highly potent anti-inflammatory properties.

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5g - Gut Health

Studies on propolis and gut health abound, showing great promise in the treatment of many conditions as well as general maintenance. A rich source of probiotics, propolis acts in our gut, much the same way as it does in the hive, creating an intestinal barrier and preventing toxins and bacterial dislocation from the gut to the blood. Propolis also has shown great success in treating GI diseases such as oral mucositis, oral microbiota, ulcerative colitis, and gastric ulcers.

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5h - Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs)

Many studies have been done on children and adults, showing that propolis is highly effective against URTIs. URTIs are ubiquitous, especially in children; some have become antibiotic-resistant. Current drugs for treatment are high in cost and have serious side effects in children. Propolis is shown to work on antibiotic-resistant infections. 

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5i - Natural Antibiotics

While we’ve touched on this above, it is essential to note this use, especially since more bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics. Probiotics are crucial while on antibiotics. Propolis is a powerful probiotic and natural antibiotic in one! Not only shown to protect against the spread of harmful bacteria, but propolis can also prevent it from taking hold to begin with. Studies indicate that this is because propolis can break down and prevent the spread of biofilms, which harmful bacteria use to take hold and spread. 

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5j - Candida

While this could fall under gut health and skin health, we thought it necessary to highlight, given that candida is found in most of the population. There are different types of candida, such as Candida albicans, which typically manifests in the genitals and mouth, and Candida tropicalis, which occupies the intestinal tract. Studies show that propolis is effective against many candida types.

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5k - Nail Infections

The most popularly prescribed treatment for fungal nail infections is resistant to seven common nail funguses AND not nearly as effective as propolis on the non-resistant fungi.

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Propolis is best taken in the morning. While there are no official dosage recommendations, ½ - 1 dropper daily is ideal. Place the propolis under your tongue and allow it to dissolve. Those who dislike the flavor recommend placing the propolis in a glass of juice. Drink slowly.

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6a - Antibacterial Alcohol-Free Mouthwash

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup of Distilled Water
• 2 Drops of Manuka Oil
• 4 Drops of Propolis Tincture
• 1 Tsp of Microplastic-Free Sea Salt
• ½ - 1 Tsp of Manuka Honey

Put all ingredients in a bottle and shake before use. Avoid swallowing. If swallowing is a concern, such as with young children, simply remove the manuka oil from the recipe.

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6b - Propolis & Manuka Oral Spray

Ingredients:

• 1 Two-Ounce Spray Bottle
• 4 Tsp of Manuka Honey
• 2 Tsp of Propolis Extract
• 2-3 Drops of Peppermint Essential Oil (Optional)
• Distilled water

Combine all ingredients in the spray bottle and shake. Spray as needed for sore throat, fresh breath, or after meals when you can’t brush.

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6c - Propolis & Manuka Diaper Rash Treatment

Ingredients: 

• 2 Tbsp Manuka Honey
• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 Dropper of Propolis Extract

Mix all ingredients. Clean and thoroughly dry the affected area. Apply ointment to the affected area and allow it to dry slightly before diapering. Honey & propolis are safe to use externally on children of all ages, provided they do not have an allergic reaction to bee products.

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6d - Steroid Free Nasal Spray

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups of Distilled Water
• ½ Tsp of Microplastic-Free Sea Salt
• 2-3 Drops of Propolis Extract
• ½ Tsp Manuka Honey

Shake or blend all ingredients. Use it in your Neti Pot or a similar device. 

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6e - Three Ingredient Facial Oil

Ingredients:

• 2-Ounce Dropper Bottle
• 5 Drops Propolis Tincture
• Bottle of 10% Manuka Oil in Sweet Almond Oil
• 2-4 Drops of Essential Oils of Choice (Optional)

Add essential oils and propolis to the dropper bottle. Fill the rest of the way with the Manuka in Sweet Almond Oil. Shake well before each use. 

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7. Disclaimers and Known Drug Interactions 

As always, we strive to provide you with the best information backed by scientific studies. However, we are not doctors and cannot recommend any treatment for specific concerns. It’s important to talk to your doctor about any concerns you might have. 

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

Propolis has no known severe, serious, moderate, or mild interactions with other drugs. Take caution when combining propolis with medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs). Propolis is thought to slow blood clotting, though more studies need to be conducted on the topic.

Allergic reactions (skin or respiratory symptoms) may occur, particularly in people who are allergic to bees or bee products.

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Introduction

Manuka Honey is known for its amazing benefits for your health. It is also a great ingredient in your skincare routines. The antibacterial properties help prevent breakouts, calm skin with eczema, and help replenish your skin's natural  complexion with its antioxidants. 

Here are a few of our favorite treatments using our Manuka Honey & Sea Salt.

ACV & Manuka Scalp Treatment:

This apple cider vinegar scalp scrub helps get rid of product build-up and removes dead skin cells that might be weighing your hair down. Scalp Scrubs are easy to make, and by getting rid of the impurities that can plug hair follicles. The apple cider vinegar helps promote hair shine with the added boost of manuka honey. 

1. ¼ cup coarse or fine sea salt
2. 1 tablespoonapple cider vinegar
3. 1 tablespoon coconut oil melted (fractionated is best)
4. 1 teaspoon Manuka Honey
5. 15 drops essential oil of your choosing

INSTRUCTIONS

Mix all the ingredients into a tub or jar that is easy to get the mixture out of. Use about a tbsp or two and massage on your scalp for a few minutes, you may let it sit on your hair as well and then rinse and wash and condition hair afterwards.

Manuka Honey Shampoo

This simple shampoo has only two ingredients! This is a great natural alternative to your normal shampoo. We recommend using this one with the ACV scalp treatment listed above. 

• Manuka Honey
• Filtered water

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Make the shampoo "single serving" basis to prevent spoilage. Here's the basic ratio, but you can adjust it as desired: 1 Tbs. raw honey and 3 Tbs. filtered water. If necessary, slightly heat the mixture over very low heat to help dissolve the honey. Yes, this is really watery... that is how it is supposed to be.
2. Wet hair, then massage a few tablespoons of the honey shampoo on the scalp. Massage well to distribute over the scalp. Don't worry about getting the mixture on the ends of the hair, just the scalp area. Rinse well. Follow up with conditioner (if desired)

Breakout facial

Struggling with breakouts on your face? This facial helps reduce the blemishes, soothes the skin and leaves a healthy glow afterwards. The added benefits of Manuka Honey and its antibacterial is amazing for breakouts. The sea salt is a great natural alternative to dry them out, and the yoghurts probiotic helps nourish the skin.

2 tsp yogurt

¼ tsp sea salt

1 tsp honey

INSTRUCTIONS

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. Apply facial mixture onto face avoiding the eye area, this would be eyelids and the sensitive under eye area. Layer this mixture on quite thick and leave on for at least 20 minutes. Rinse facial off and apply your favorite facial moisturizer!

Pore facial

This facial helps reduce visible pores. Greek yogurt boasts two and a half times the amount of protein in regular yogurt. Protein, whether in the skin products we use or in our diet, helps in repairing skin tissues, making it more radiant and young-looking.Oatmeal can soak up the excess oil on your skin and help treat acne. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help to treat dry skin and remove dead skin cells. Oats also contain compounds called saponins, which are natural cleansers. They remove the dirt and oil that clog the pores and exfoliate the skin. egg whites help close pores and get rid of build up.

⅓ cup oatmeal

1 tbsp yogurt

1 tbsp honey

1 egg white

INSTRUCTIONS

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. Apply facial mixture onto face avoiding the eye area, this would be eyelids and the sensitive under eye area. Layer this mixture on quite thick and leave on for at least 20 minutes. Rinse facial off and apply your favorite facial moisturizer!

Matcha green tea facial

An easy two ingredients, yes two ingredients! Facial. Matcha green tea is great for the skin

 Matcha is anti bacterial and contains incredibly high levels of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is helpful in reducing inflammation and to even skin tone. The antioxidants are also known for reducing acne and increasing skin elasticity. The Manuka Honey is an added bonus with its antibacterial properties and will help with any blemishes. 

2 tbsp Matcha green tea

2 tbsp Honey

INSTRUCTIONS

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. Apply facial mixture onto face avoiding the eye area, this would be eyelids and the sensitive under eye area. Layer this mixture on quite thick and leave on for at least 20 minutes. Rinse facial off and apply your favorite facial moisturizer!

Soothing Face Mask

Great facial for anywhere on your body! This is great if you’ve had a little too much sun exposure during the day. Aloe Vera gel has dried on the surface of the skin, it provides a protective barrier that helps keep moisture locked in. It's cooling effects reduce acne inflammation and assist in healing, removing redness and soothing dry or angry skin. Manuka Honey is known for its medical benefits for wounds and burns. 

2 tbsp Aloe Vera

1 tbsp Manuka Honey

INSTRUCTIONS

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. Apply facial mixture onto face avoiding the eye area, this would be eyelids and the sensitive under eye area. Layer this mixture on quite thick and leave on for at least 20 minutes. Rinse facial off and apply your favorite facial moisturizer!

DISCLAIMER

These are all natural ingredients without preservatives, if you do end up with leftovers please store in an airtight container with a lid and store in the fridge. Use these facials at least once a month. We do not recommend using it more than once a week or it may cause skin sensitivity. If an allergic reaction does occur please consult a Doctor right away, or call 911 for severe allergic reactions. If you feel you may be allergic or sensitive to any of these ingredients please do a patch test on the inside of your forearm before applying any of these to your skin. 

Manuka Honey is honey made in New Zealand. It is produced by the bees that pollinate the manuka bush and is the only honey that exhibits non-peroxide activity due to the Methylglyoxal (MGO) component only present in Manuka Honey at high concentrations. It is an instinctively occurring component of Manuka honey which makes it more special. The amount of MGO in your Manuka honey is directly related to its potency and the higher the MGO content, the higher the grade of the honey.

Manuka honey has become increasingly popular and has been invading the market since. It has long been discovered to have antiviral and antimicrobial properties. Honey producers have a scale for rating the potency of manuka honey. The rating is called UMF, which stands for Unique Manuka Factor. It is a complete and advanced grading system that includes measurement of MGO levels. It ensures the highest quality Manuka honey and guarantees the chemical marker levels stated on the label.

Manuka Honey can be paired with any food of your choice, but aside from being a delicious natural sweetener, it has a lot to offer. The beneficial effects of honey on human health have long been recognized. With its antimicrobial properties, it has been traditionally used to enhance wound healing, promotes oral care, relieve sore throats and improve digestion.

Here are some benefits of Manuka Honey:

• Enhance Wound Healing

Honey has antibacterial components that help wound healing and improves the production of special cells which aids in tissue regeneration. It has anti-inflammatory measures that can easily alleviate pain and inflammation.

• Promotes Oral Health

It is very important to keep your gums healthy. To avoid plaque formation, you have to minimize the formation of bad bacteria in your mouth.

It has been studied that manuka honey attacks harmful oral bacteria associated with tooth decay and gum inflammation. Chewing or Sucking of Manuka honey candy has great results on the reduction of plaque and gingivitis.

• Fixes Digestive Symptoms

Honey is good in digestion. It contains enzymes that speed up digestion. It has methylglyoxal that provides anti-bacterial properties that helps in curing bacterial infections in the stomach. It strengthens the immune system to lessen the future occurrence of any stomach related disease.

• Skin Care

Acne is most common among teenagers; it often causes blackheads or pimples and nobody likes to deal with it. Honey is a well- known for its potential to fight acne.

Because of its anti-inflammatory effects, Manuka honey can help reduce inflammation thus improving skin’s appearance.

 Making a face mask with honey and lemon juice is an effective way to fight acne.

• Relieves Sore Throat

With its antiviral and antimicrobial properties, honey is known to give sore throat relief by attacking the cause of soreness and reducing the inflammation and soothe throat pain. It has become a popular elixir for cough because it relieves itchy throat.

 Overall, Manuka honey repeatedly proves to fight off many stubborn health issues as well as enhance a speedy recovery.

Don’t Be Misled By Marketing Hype: Noted Industry Experts Say “Pollen Counting” Not A Reliable Way To Determine Authenticity Or Effectiveness Of New Zealand Manuka Honey.

Showcasing yet again the reality-altering power of “creative marketing,” several brands in the rapidly-growing Manuka honey category are trying to validate the purity and effectiveness of their products by relying on pollen counts and other grading systems as a supposedly authoritative form of testing.

For consumers seeking high-quality Manuka honey products from New Zealand that can enhance their cuisine and potentially improve their health, a high pollen count would, on the surface, seem to make perfect sense. Honey. Bees. Pollen. What could possibly be wrong with that equation?

As it turns out – a great deal.

Why We Shouldn’t Count on Pollen Counts    

According to John Rawcliffe, General Manager of New Zealand’s respected Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) Honey Association, developing a fool-proof definition of Manuka honey has proven easier said than done over the years, but pollen counts (the measurement of the concentration of pollen trapped in honey) are certainly not the answer.

Agreeing with that assessment three years ago, Dr. Adrian Charlton of Britain’s Food and Environment Research Agency food laboratory – where over 500 scientists work to protect the public from adulterated and mislabeled food – noted that pollen analysis is subjective and invariably less accurate than other forms of testing. At the root of this recurring inaccuracy: human error and the addition of extra pollen by unscrupulous manufacturers hoping to instantly transform ordinary honey into “fake Manuka” bearing a much higher price tag.

Dr. Charlton also noted that industry leaders should rely on the world’s scientists and testing laboratories to work out the best methods for testing since there still is no official definition for Manuka honey – an obvious explanation for the many questionable products on the market today both in the U.S. and around the world.

Most experts today believe that true Manuka honey should – and hopefully soon will – be graded on the concentration of MG (methylglyoxal), UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) or leptospirin. The New Zealand Government will mandate in 2017 new requirements for true Manuka labeling based on the MG, UMF and leptospirin concentration.

The Magic of Manuka

With roots in the therapeutic wound dressings of the indigenous Maori people of New Zealand, Manuka Honey has been embraced worldwide as a coveted food, beauty and healing resource. Manuka is a monofloral honey, which means it is created by bees that feed solely on the nectar of the white flowers that adorn the Manuka bush, native to New Zealand’s North Island.

In addition to its rich culinary attributes, Manuka Honey is widely believed to help treat minor wounds and burns, and some studies have shown it may help reduce systemic inflammation; reduce ear, eye and sinus infection symptoms; reduce gastrointestinal problems; lower cholesterol; and aid in the treatment of diabetes.

Industry Abuzz About Creating One Cohesive Testing Standard

Like many items in the “natural products” arena, Manuka money is rather easily susceptible to misleading or even downright false labeling, advertising and marketing – unfortunately putting the onus on consumers to separate fact from fiction when considering their next purchases. And given that many consumers in America (and elsewhere) are relatively new to Manuka honey – a rather exotic product from the other side of the world – it’s no wonder that companies are hoping hype-driven terms such as “pollen counts” will attract customers in an increasingly competitive retail environment.

Commenting on the issue of labeling and rating Manuka honey, perhaps journalist Bree McCauley of Mother Earth News put it best: “I found that Manuka honey can be artificially manipulated to achieve the high numbers you find on some jars of Manuka honey — the numbers customers think they are looking for, not knowing that a high number does not necessarily mean it is more effective. It follows then, that defining honey solely based on one, easily-tampered-with component leaves out other important and unknown factors and sets honey up to sometimes dangerous manipulation.”

Speaking Out: The Company That First Brought New Zealand Manuka Honey To Our Shores

Not surprisingly, the authenticity of Manuka Honey is of considerable importance to the Southern California-based Pacific Resources International (www.shoppri.com) – which four decades ago became the first company to introduce New Zealand Manuka Honey to American consumers.

We hear about manuka honey more and more every day but lets not forget about the other honeys that come from the pristine countryside of New Zealand. We’ve already checked into clover honey, which is a great understudy for manuka and of course covered blue borage honey but we haven’t talked about Rewarewa honey. All these different types of honey have similar attributes, which help to fight bacterial infections and decrease inflammation. Manuka, blue borage, and clover have the advantage of both peroxide antibacterial activity and non-peroxide antibacterial activity. However, rewarewa has been found to have significant levels of peroxide antibacterial activity, which puts near the top of the list as an antibacterial option. In a survey on overall antibacterial activity of New Zealand honeys, rewarewa was found to have a higher overall antibacterial activity at 29.9% than manuka honey which ranked at only 15% antibacterial activity. Rewarewa was also found to have inhibit inflammation caused by superoxides. It ranked at the similar levels as kunuka and manuka honeys. Superoxide’s are created by oxidative stress and left uncontrolled cause inflammation in the body that results in numerous diseases. However, testing of all these honeys is till baffling scientists as they seek to confirm the properties that are making the honeys antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. Rewarewa honey for example showed suppression of super oxide activity however it is believed to be because of its diacly compounds rather than it ability to scavenge super oxides or its phenol content, which is what was considered the prime cause of honeys antibacterial activity. So don’t just look at Manuka when deciding on a honey to buy but rather checkout the whole line of raw New Zealand honeys imported by Pacific Resources as it is clear they all contain properties which can help up with not only inflammation but also our antibacterial needs.

 SOURCES

Leong, A. G., Herst, P. M., & Harper, J. L. (2012). Indigenous New Zealand Honey exhibits multiple anti-inflammatory activites. Innate Immunity , 459-466.

Allen, K. L., Molan, P. C., & Reid, G. M. (1991). A Survey of the Antibacterial Activity of Some New Zealand Honey’s. Journal of Pharmacology , 817-822.

Wilkins, A. L., Lu, Y., & Tan, S.-T. (1995). Extractives from New Zeland Honey’s. 5. Aliphatic Dicarboxylic Acids in New Zealand Rewarewa (Knightea excelsa) Honey. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry , 3021-3025.

We’ve discussed the many ways that propolis is good for us and our families but we haven’t looked at why bees collect propolis in the first place. Propolis a plant based resin is used to give a hive structure and to protect it against predators, microbes and pathogens. Bees collect propolis and distribute it throughout their hives.  Propolis protects the hive from pathogens through its natural antimicrobial and antifungal properties. Without it bees would be subject to environmental stressors that could lead to their death. When building the hive they not only use the propolis in the architecture but they also create a propolis envelope, which surrounds the hive. This envelope acts as a antimicrobial layer for the hive. When building nests in the hollow of a tree for example the bees first layer the cavity with a layer of propolis that are ranges from 0.3-0.5mm thick. This keeps the hive waterproof, promotes stable temperatures and reduces microbial activity. In experiments bees with a propolis envelope have been found to have higher levels of Vg, an indicator that reflects that the bees are well-nourished. In general bees with adequate levels of propolis in their hives had better immune systems, which allowed for the longevity of the hive. Therefore, a colony of bees can be encouraged to build a natural propolis envelope within standard beekeeping equipment by modifying the inner walls of bee boxes. Perhaps propolis can, at least in part, help mitigate effects from threats to the hives durability.

Recent experiments have also shown that ingestion of propolis by the bees reduces the adverse affects of exposure to toxins produced by Aspergillus, a common hive fungus. Although bees do not naturally ingest propolis this might be a new way to help protect bees naturally from pathogen and stressors, brought on by bee farming. Feeding bees propolis would be similar to administering oral antibiotics. The exposure to propolis seems to prime the bee’s detoxification pathways giving them a leg up on fighting microbial and fungal infections. Understanding the role that propolis plays as a social immune defense directly against parasites and pathogens and through subtle, indirect effects on individual immunity and detoxification enzymes could be a key part of the puzzle to keeping our bees alive an well.

Pacific Resources International, Inc. carries only the finest CPL^TM Propolis from New Zealand. We also have a wide range of healthy products made with the propolis. Perfect to support a healthy lifestyle.

Source

Simone-Finstrom, M., Borba, R. S., Wilson, M., & Spivak, M. (2017). Propolis Counteracts Some Threats to Honey Bee Health. Insects (2075-4450), 8(2), 1-20. doi:10.3390/insects8020046

Allergic Fungal Sinusitis (AFS) is a common allergic reaction, which occurs in the sinuses of people with a compromised immune system (patients with diabetes or aids).There two different forms of invasive fungal sinusitis varying in severity: acute invasive fungal sinusitis, and chronic invasive sinusitis. While acute invasive fungal sinusitis is the most serious and severe condition, it is important to discuss the both forms as all their associated problems still manifest themselves in harmful ways. In chronic invasive sinusitis a thick fungal debris and mucin  develops in the sinus cavities from the bacteria Aspergillus. Unfortunately the only way to remove this sometimes painful debris is through surgery. Symptoms can also include a thickening of mucous consistency, bone destruction, and fat stranding outside the sinuses. Anti-inflammatory treatments are often necessary to reduce the reoccurrence of the fungal debris after it has been removed. As with all treatments finding one that is from a natural source that is effective can be challenging. This is where Manuka honey comes in. In a randomized control trial, Thamboo and associates created a Manuka honey nose spray which they tested on 34 patients with diagnosed AFRS. The results showed that 9 of the 34 people responded to the treatment and they indicated that they had improvements in their symptoms while receiving the honey spray. Although it didn’t show that that their was a global improvement of the disease itself it did reflect that some patients showed significant positive responses and opened the door to further research on Manuka honey’s use in the treatment of AFS.

Sources

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/834401-overview#a7

Thamboo A., Philpott C., Javer A., Clark A. Single-blind study of manuka honey in allergic fungal rhinosinusitis. Journal of Otolaryngology. 40(3):238-243

Deshazo, Richard D. “Syndromes of Invasive Fungal Sinusitis.” Medical Mycology 47, no. 1 (May 19, 2008). Accessed June 13, 2016. http://mmy.oxfordjournals.org/content/47/Supplement_1/S309.full.