Blog

Label-reading just got easier!

Listen, we don’t have hours to spend researching everything and we know you don’t either. So after months of deliberation, and gathering feedback from our loyal customers (that’s you!) we are excited to announce that we are moving to a quick and easy rating system that will help you understand your honey at-a-glance.

In June 2022, P.R.I. will be moving to a single-number MGO* on the label, and a QR code that you can scan (for those of you who crave all the juicy details about what’s in your jar.)

 "We believe making a purchase shouldn't require hours of research! To that end, the PRI team has long been in discussion to find the best way to label our Manuka Honey strengths in a clear and transparent manner. As the original importer of manuka honey to the U.S., we have used the standard rating systems originally used by all, to differentiate the strengths of Manuka. 

 However, over the years, our understanding of what makes manuka honey unique has expanded tremendously & testing and regulations have evolved along with that knowledge. MGO has now become a standard around the world for labeling the strengths of Manuka Honey. Our first step was to introduce the MGO level on our labels, putting this next to our original rating numbers. We hoped this would help customers in the transition and be able to easily compare our Manuka to that of the newer Manuka companies that have popped up over the last few years. Over the last 6 months, we have been gathering feedback from our customers and other experts in the field, and we decided to relaunch our Manuka range with just 1 number - MGO. Additionally, we are giving our customers a way to easily access test results for each batch of manuka honey we sell via a  QR code* right on the label. Simply scan the code with your phone for all the details about your honey!"

~ Kristy (CFO of P.R.I.)

We’ve heard that manuka honey has fantastic properties and is a bonafide alternative treatment for human patients in clinics throughout the world. But did you know that veterinarians are also using manuka honey? Studies have come to the conclusion that not only are the antibacterial properties of manuka honey good for us but it’s also a great alternative treatment for our pets when other options may be toxic to them. In a study done by Tramuta et al they found that the gram negative bacteria, (staphylococcus pseudointermedius, escherichia coli, proteus mirabilis, and pseudomonas aeruginosa) found in infections, in open wounds, on animals can be treated with honey. Your vet now has access to solid surgical devices composed of manuka honey and pectin to treat wound infections and for use as natural therapeutic instruments in veterinary medicine (e.g., in abdominal surgery).

In one study, the antimicrobial properties of honey against MDR bacteria were clearly demonstrated, suggesting that membranes are effective in promoting the wound healing process, and as such, can be used in various fields of veterinary medicine and surgery. In addition, they may be particularly useful for treating wounds that are unresponsive to conventional antibiotics and antiseptics. Solid membranes are preferred and are the most successful clinical tool because they can be applied in high-risk areas to provide a physical barrier in the immediate post-operative period for pets. (2) In a case study carried out at Ontario Veterinary College a 8 month beagle that suffered 3^rd degree burns to 20% of its body was treated with gauze embedded with manuka honey.

Within 24 hours the wound not only lost its odor but the tissue was dramatically improved. After 48 hours a clean healthy granulation bed of new tissue had formed and after 72 hours a healthy bed of granulations was formed and all of the infected tissue was eliminated. Interestingly as well they found that the areas treated with honey had normal hair growth where as the areas that were surgically debrided showed no regrowth of hair.(3)

But don’t forget that it is also important to consider that some honeys may be contaminated with bacteria and fungi, and therefore non-gamma-irradiated honeys may not be suitable for application on damaged skin. The production of medical-grade honeys, suitable for use in clinical practice, from local honeys should be use for treatment of open wounds to prevent infection. (4) If your wondering how manuka honey manages such feats let me tell you. The antimicrobial properties of manuka honey has been attributed to its multiple components, including high sugar concentration, low pH, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), methylglyoxal (MGO), antimicrobial peptide bee defensin-1, and other compounds such as polyphenols. The high sugar concentration and low moisture content of honey also causes osmotic stress to microbial cells, and low pH is unfavorable for the growth of many microorganisms. Honey bees also add an enzyme, called glucose oxidase, to the collected nectar during the honey-making process, which converts the glucose in the honey into hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and gluconic acid. H2O2 is toxic to many microbes. So there you have it, honey all by itself is a great alternative to much more expensive treatments for infections for both us and in our smaller furry family members.

SOURCES

(1)Oryan, A., & Zaker, S. R. (1998). Effects of topical application of honey on cutaneous wound healing in rabbits. Zentralblatt Fur Veterinarmedizin. Reihe A, 45(3), 181-188.

(2)Tramuta, C., Nebbia, P., Robino, P., Giusto, G., Gandini, M., Chiadò-Cutin, S., & Grego, E. (2017). Antibacterial activities of Manuka and Honeydew honey-based membranes against bacteria that cause wound infections in animals. Schweizer Archiv fur Tierheilkunde, 159(2), 117-121.

(3) Mathews, K., Binnington, A. (2002). Wound Management using Honey. Compendium on Continuing Education for the Practising Veterinarian – North American Edition, 24(1), 53-60

 (4)McLoone, P., Warnock, M., Fyfe, L., (2016). Honey a realistic antimicrobial for disorders of the skin. Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection. (24), 161-167.

PRI carries a wide range of genuine Manuka Honey from New Zealand.

The worker bees have many jobs inside and outside of the hive, and for this reason they out number the drone bees 100 to 1.

Inside the hive the worker bee’s are assigned to the following roles nurse, queen’s attendants, cleaners, undertakers, builders, capper, ripener, and repairers. Like a large factory each bee has it’s own job but together they keep the facility running smoothly with continuous production.

Nursing bees are responsible for the young, they care for and feed the larvae making sure new larvae are hatching every 3 days from the 1.7 mm eggs laid by the queen. Those who attend to the queen make sure that she is fed and groomed frequently as she lays up to 2,000 eggs a day. The queen can differentiate between the different sized cells in which she lays her eggs, if she chooses a standard worker-size cell, she releases a fertilized egg into the cell for a new worker bee. However, if she chooses a wider drone-size cell, the queen releases a non fertilized egg and a drone is born.

Other worker bees are assigned to cleaning the hive, they clean out used cells and clear any debris within the hive. They are also responsible for cleaning their coworkers of stay hairs or dust. This cleanliness is important to the hive as a microbial outbreak could lead to an epidemic and colony death. Speaking of death some bees are even assigned to the job of undertaker so that bees that die inside the hive are dropped immediately outside the hive to dry. After they have dried, the bees fly them several hundred meters from the hive, and drop them. This prevents dead bees from accumulating by the hive and attracting predators.

But cleaning isn’t all the bees do they  also need general maintenance for the hive and of course the honey making. Bee’s are constantly building honeycomb often working with 100’s of others to fix or build only a tiny section. Once built some of the cells are used to ripen the honey and others for pollen storage. The bees ripen the nectar in the cells into honey by fanning it until the excess water evaporates. These cells are then capped by capping worker bees once full.

Last not not least we have the repairing worker bees that use propolis to close cracks in the hive and cover foreign particles that are to large to remove.

It’s a busy environment in the hive of the honey bee, but each bee has its job and these jobs keep the hive running smoothly and efficiently. Keep a look out for the next article on the jobs the bees have outside the hive.

Sources

Ask The Naturalist: Why Do Honeybees Clean Themselves?

Facts About Bees

Tracking the Life Cycle of a Honey Bee

At Pacific Resources International, we’re firm believers in the healing benefits of mother nature. Packing up and going camping is a great way to get away from everyday stresses in life but like any other trip, you need to be prepared to get the most out of your experience. Make sure to check these off of your list before heading out to the woods for your next camping trip!

Camping Gear

Braving mother nature is easy when you have the right camping gear. First things first, you’re going to need a place to sleep. Make sure to invest in a quality camping tent and sleeping bag to assure that you get the full amount of Z’s needed to keep you going through your camping adventures. Once you’ve got your camping set up together, make sure you pack away a flashlight and some extra batteries to light the way- you never know when things are going to get a little dark in the great outdoors!

Snacks

Camping can be exhausting and the last thing you want to worry about is whether or not you have enough to eat. The number one rule for staying energized while camping is: don’t forget the snacks! We like Proper Crisps– they’re an all natural, perfect grab and go snack for when you’re on the go. If you’re looking for something a little sweeter, try some Manuka Honey Sticks! They’re small, portable, and oh so tasty!

Wellness 

While camping can be fun and relaxing, it can also be dangerous. Make sure that you’re prepared for any accidents with the right topical solutions. Campfires can be dangerous but are essential for camping. If you’re planning to light a fire during your camping trip, you can’t afford to not have quality Wound and Burn Dressing for any potential accidents that may happen while lighting your campfire! Planning on an all day hike? You can use Nectar Balm for any aches, pains, bruises, or sprains you may encounter on the way. Lastly, dry weather can seriously cause discomfort while outdoors so make sure to pack some Manuka Oil for your drying scalp and Manuka Honey Lip Balm for cracked lips. Happy camping!

Manuka honey is created in the same way all honey is, but what do you know about how a bee colony functions?

To start, beehives can hold up to 50,000 bees in one colony and this colony contains a combination of worker bees, drone bees and of course the queen. Worker bees, which are female, all have different roles. These include scout bees, guard bees, honey makers and protectors of the queen.

The drone bee is the male bee in the hive and their sole job is to mate with the queen. The drone bees have no stingers and forage for their own food but unfortunately die immediately after mating.

“Long live the queen” takes on a literal meaning for bees as the queen can live up to 5 years. However, the queen’s court or those bees that keep the hive “buzzing” live for only 6 months.

To make honey the bees can fly up to 2 miles or 3km to forage for pollen. They find their way by using cognitive map navigation and the position of the sun. Professor Randolf Menzel, from Freie University Berlin, found in a study done in New Zealand, that bees are capable of retrieving information on their own location and the location of the goal through the recognition of landmarks. This discovery was made using a new technology known as a harmonic radar.

So, not only are there lots of jobs to do within the hive there are also lots of interesting facts about bees. Stay tuned for a list of individual jobs both inside and outside the hive.

Sources :

https://newzealandhoneyco.co.nz/About/From-Hive-to-Table

https://bigislandbees.com/blogs/bee-blog/14137353-bee-hive-hierarchy-and-activities

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/27637747

Ranking the 16th most searched question about Manuka honey, in this blog post, we answer the question: “How to use Manuka honey for IBS?”.

First, let’s talk about what IBS is. Short for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, IBS is a disorder of the large intestine & affects nearly a quarter of Americans, causing symptoms ranging from bloating & abdominal pain to loose stools & undesired weight loss.

IBS can have many triggers, including: 

• Stress
• Food allergies
• Hormone imbalance
• Leaky gut
• Parasites
• Yeast overgrowth
• Antibiotics
• SIBO
• Poor thyroid function
• Poor hydration.  

Conventional medicine would say it is irreversible, but clinics specializing in treating the root causes of IBS have successfully reversed many cases. Those with IBS must manage their symptoms through various diet and lifestyle changes, so how can Manuka honey help?

Among many other things, Manuka honey can:

-Reduce inflammation in the digestive tract.

-Act as a prebiotic by stimulating the growth of good bacteria.

-Actively fight against disease-causing bacteria in the gut. 

All honey does contain fructose, which can be an IBS trigger for some. It's essential to ingest the honey raw as the raw enzymes make the sugars easier to digest. 

You can take up to 1-2 tablespoons per day but space it out and take a little before each meal so you can harness its prebiotic effects. If your IBS is severe and you find you tolerate the honey well,  try a high MGO Manuka such as a 500+ or even 1000+ MGO. These strengths are typically for external uses; however, certain severe internal conditions can also benefit.

Make Up Remover

Ingredients:

• ⅓ Cup Witch Hazel
• ⅓ Cup Rose Water
• 2 Drops PRI Manuka Oil
• 2 Tsp Coconut or Sweet Almond Oil

Directions:

1. Mix all of your ingredients together
2. Stir the mixture
3. Pour into bottle
4. Shake well

Manuka Honey Face Mask

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp PRI Manuka Honey 25+
• 1 Tsp Cinnamon
• 1 Tsp Turmeric

Directions:

1. Mix all of your ingredients together
2. Stir the mixture
3. Transfer to jar

Manuka Facial Oil

Ingredients:

• 1 Bottle PRI Manuka Oil in Sweet Almond Oil
• 5 Drops PRI Propolis Extract
• 5 Drops Essential Oil (Optional)

Directions:

1. Mix all of your ingredients together

These DIY gift ideas are so simple and easy to make, perfect for holidays or any gift giving occasions and can be customised with any special name, message, date or anything else important to you. Don’t forget that there’s so much more to self-care than bubble baths! When it comes to self-care products, natural really is the best!

AVOID PESTICIDES ·

It might keep hungry pests out of the garden, but it could also make bees shy from your flowers. Or even worse, harm the bees if they are brave enough to land on your flowers. There are plenty of safe home remedies to keep the bugs out without hurting the bees.
 

· KEEP THE LANDSCAPE NATURAL ·

Bees are smarter than you think. An overly manicured garden might deter bees from hanging out. Your best bet is to keep your garden as natural and relaxed as possible.
 

· HAVE PLANTS THAT BLOOM AT DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE YEAR ·

You might want to see all the flowers bloom at once, but staggering your plants is actually better because it extends pollination time throughout the year. You also will have flowers year round!
 

· THE MORE FLOWERS, THE BETTER ·

With such a wide variety of bees roaming around, abundance is the key to getting them to come to your yard. More food = more bees. And since so many of their favorite flowers have a bit of a wild side, it makes it so easy to grow a lot at once.
 

· DON’T FORGET ABOUT EDIBLE PLANTS ·

Berries are one of the best treats for your bee friends because of the large amount of blooms they produce. And once the bees have eaten and pollinated your berries, you’ll have them for yourself as well! Cucumbers, peppers and squash are also great alternatives

· LEAVE THEM ALONE ·

Bees can be quite friendly but, admire them from afar. 

Gardening is one of the best ways to spend your time outside. A not so big secret to having a successful garden is to make sure that it is bee-friendly. Whether it is wildflowers, berries or veggies, bees will come around to check things out as soon are there are blossoms. Make sure you are avoiding harmful chemicals and keeping your yard as natural as possible and you will have a yard full of bees in no time.

Written by: No Fuss Natural

Manuka honey is a wonderful addition to homemade skincare products! It draws moisture to the skin which helps keep skin hydrated. Hydration is one of our best defenses against the signs of aging. 

Additionally, manuka boasts a powerful dose of antibacterial properties and is helpful in fighting free-radicals, which cause damage to skin. (Source)

To incorporate manuka into your daily regimine, try the following 3-step DIY manuka skincare routine: 

1 - Manuka Cleanser

Cleansing the skin with manuka honey really requires nothing more than massaging manuka honey into damp skin, then washing off with warm water. That said, adding a drop of essential oil such as lavender or manuka can add a vibrant scent as well as some extra skin benefits. 

To cleanse the skin with manuka

Tip: manuka honey also works well as a face mask. Simply massage into the sakin and leave for 5-10 minutes before washing off with warm water. 

2 - Manuka Facial Toner 

Applying a facial toner after cleansing the skin is helpful in removing any remaining dirt or residue and also aids in closing the pores and restoring the skin’s natural pH balance. It’s also a great way to prepare the skin to receive moisture and hydration from moisturizer (which you will apply in the next step). 

The following simple DIY toner uses manuka oil which is an essential oil created through the steam distillation of the leaves, twigs, and branch ends of the Manuka tree. 

With a wide range of antifungal activity, manuka oil is often utilized for antibacterial and anti-inflammatory purposes (Source). It’s perfect for use in skincare routines as it helps skin stay clear and fight bacteria that may cause blemishes. 

Ingredients

⅛ cup Witch Hazel 

10 drops PRI 80% Manuka oil 

5 drops lavender essential oil

Directions

Mix all ingredients in a small glass bottle. Close tightly with lid and shake to blend. 

Apply a small amount of toner to a cotton pad and gently wipe over damp skin. 

3 - Moisturizing Manuka Facial Spray

This moisturizing facial spray combines honey, water or hydrosol, and aloe vera to provide hydration. Use as part of your daily skin care routine or spritz on the face any time skin feels dry. 

Only make a small amount of this product and keep in the fridge as it doesn’t have a preservative. If you’d like to keep outside the fridge or for a longer period of time, add a natural preservative such as Leucidal liquid according to the manufacturer's directions. 

Ingredients

½ cup distilled water or hydrosol of choice (such as lavender or chamomile hydrosol)

1 ½ Tablespoons PRI Manuka honey

1 ½ Tablespoons aloe vera gel

Directions

Place all ingredients in a small bowl or glass measuring cup and stir until well combined. 

Pour into a glass spray bottle and close with lid. 

Spritz on the skin after cleansing and toning or any time skin begins to feel overly dry. 

A new year means a fresh start for many people. Many make resolutions in hopes that making a formal commitment to their goals will make them more likely to achieve them. Most of us find however, that they are a lot easier to make than keep! That’s why we’ve rounded up some tips on how to create resolutions you are more likely to keep & achieve:

• Set Attainable Goals - When making a significant change in your lifestyle try to think of  realistic goals and be specific, start with small steps and then build them. Once you have that goal in mind, think about how you can build habits to stay motivated.

• Plan - Yes, planning is essential to achieve your goals. Research says by positively framing your goals, creating fun activities or finding small ways to incorporate activity into your day can help decrease stress and improve your overall outlook toward working on your resolutions.

• Adopt Slowly - Building habits takes time, you don’t have to do it all at once! Always remember to be kind to yourself and be patient. These may seem like small changes, over time, they'll provide huge benefits to be successful. 

• Focus & Commit - Find your why, that’s right! Remind yourself why you are doing this. On tough days, take a few minutes to reflect and reevaluate your strategies. This will help you focus and stay committed during the process, you'll actually help yourself stay on track toward achieving your long-term goals.

• Track Progress - This is a powerful tool to help you stick to your goals, it gives you a realistic picture. This will determine what you need to improve and identify any corrective action which may need to be taken. Remember this is not a race to finish however, putting a deadline for yourself can be a good solution. Deadlines will encourage you to work hard.

• Enjoy & Be Grateful - Remember to enjoy and have fun during the process of achieving your goal because your physical, mental, and emotional health all work together. So after spending time on those resolutions and once you’ve met your goals, write down the things you’re grateful for, this is a good reminder that something you’ve never done before can be fun, too.

The New Year can be an opportunity to improve your lifestyle, so don't give up if you find yourself struggling. Sticking to your resolutions requires dedication and motivation, it becomes easier to achieve if you know your goals. Focusing on small changes can make the process more enjoyable. As a result, you can turn these changes into long-lasting routines.

Resources:

https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-keep-your-new-years-resolutions-2795719

https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2010/12/making-your-resolutions-stick

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/seven-steps-for-making-your-new-years-resolutions-stick

Meet Terry Bone, one of PRI’s beekeepers! Terry has been keeping bees for so long, his friends refer to him as “Honeyman”.

Terry is a competitive ocean swimmer, winning gold in his age group nationally (and silver the year before – his first full year of national competition). Terry also has Crohn’s disease, this and intensive swim training are hard on his body.

He is really interested in food and natural health so Terry landscaped the backyard of their cottage building terraced vegetable gardens, planting fruit trees he could in the small space and sourcing reclaimed landscaping items.

He is currently developing a section of regenerating native trees at Lake Rotoiti. He is planting additional natives on the land and will build a simple two-bedroom cabin there. The plan is to have the shell built and to complete a lot of the internal design and fitout using recycled and handmade materials. 

Swimming and bees take most of his time, but he unwinds in the kitchen. Terry loves preparing food from scratch. He also built his own outdoor pizza oven. People who come to their house will receive a meal whether they want one or not and will probably leave with a jar of something homemade. 

Terry truly believes in supporting the holistic guardianship of the bees. The underlying ethos is that humans and bees are now interdependent for survival. This is a complex issue but we believe it is vital that we pay and empower those who raise and care for bees. Read more about what it means to be a Sustainable Beekeeper in our recent blog post. 🐝

Ditch the side effects for a dose of nature

Dreaming of hot chocolate, cozy fires & even cozier slippers…hopefully minus the sore throats, congestion, coughs and fevers that seem to also come along with the colder weather.

Unfortunately, the most common drug class for OTC cold & flu remedies including products such as Tamiflu contain questionable ingredients and around TEN common side effects ranging from nausea and vomiting to mood changes! 

Luckily for us all, nature already has the answer and more and more studies are being done to prove it. A recent study published in the Archives of Medical Research titled, “Anti-influenza Viral Effects of Honey In Vitro: Potent High Activity of Manuka Honey,” tested several different types of honey on the common H1N1 influenza strain. Researchers that conducted the study stated: “In conclusion, the results obtained showed that honey, in general, and particularly manuka honey, has potent inhibitory activity against influenza virus, demonstrating a possible medicinal value. Further investigations are required to identify the active antiviral components in Manuka honey and to determine its synergistic effects with known antiviral drugs.”

The study also showed that when manuka honey was added to the use of OTC medications, manuka significantly increased the antiviral effectiveness of both compounds. This might be necessary especially in extreme cases and is important to note. 

Manuka honey has been shown to increase the release of Cytokines, especially during an inflammatory response. Cytokines help white blood cells identify and eliminate damaged or infected tissues. 

If you are having a particularly sore throat or upper respiratory issues, physicians from Oxford University's Medical School and Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences analyzed existing evidence to see how honey affects the symptoms of URTIs. Concluding, in the article in the journal BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine "Honey was superior to usual care for the improvement of symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections,” also stating "Since the majority of URTIs are viral, antibiotic prescription is both ineffective and inappropriate. However, a lack of effective alternatives, as well as a desire to preserve the patient-doctor relationship, both contribute to antibiotic over prescription."*

It’s easy to incorporate manuka into your care routine. Fun fact about manuka is that when its heated, the MGO, or active component in manuka, is not killed so you can add it to your tea! If you prefer a cold treat when ill, check out our Throat Soothing Popsicles Recipe.

And, because being sick doesn’t always mean you get to lay in bed, we have all your on the go Manuka solutions such as our own alcohol-free cough elixirs, lozenges, throat soothing lollipops & honey sticks. 

** Please note, we are not medical professionals and you should not consider this medical advice. You know your body and when you need to seek medical attention, listen to that voice! And, in the meantime, eat Manuka, drink lots of water & get some rest ❤️

Resources: 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24880005/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6594701/

https://ebm.bmj.com/content/26/2/57

https://edition.cnn.com/2018/10/22/health/antibiotics-surgery-cancer-england-uk-intl/index.html