You might call it liquid gold...
By contributing writer Courtney Cho.
I first learned about Manuka honey when I was in elementary school. I remember watching my dad apply it morning and night for a couple weeks to heal a cut he’d gotten on his hand and, even then, thinking that it seemed to scab over faster than if he’d left it alone. It was like magic! And I was sold on the spot.
In the years since, I’ve used Manuka honey as a go-to cure-all, of sorts: it’s sweetened my morning coffees, softened my strands, soothed sore throats, and even relieved eczema patches. I’ve tested countless brands in pursuit of finding my forever favorite — one that was transparent, trustworthy, sustainable, delicious, and backed by rigorous research. A tall order, indeed.
Enter: ACTIVIST Manuka Honey, a New Zealand-based brand with uncompromising standards (hi, independent testing and certification!) and impeccable quality. As soon as I tried a few jars of the Raw Manuka Honey — in 100 MGO, 300 MGO, and 850 MGO — it was game over. Love at first taste, if you will.
MGO refers to the Methylglyoxal (MGO) grading system, which basically verifies the honey you’re buying is authentic Manuka honey. The higher the MGO rating, the higher the level of antibacterial activity present — important, because the germ-fighting powers are what make Manuka so special and sought after!
I first learned about Manuka honey when I was in elementary school. I remember watching my dad apply it morning and night for a couple weeks to heal a cut he’d gotten on his hand and, even then, thinking that it seemed to scab over faster than if he’d left it alone. It was like magic! And I was sold on the spot.
In the years since, I’ve used Manuka honey as a go-to cure-all, of sorts: it’s sweetened my morning coffees, softened my strands, soothed sore throats, and even relieved eczema patches. I’ve tested countless brands in pursuit of finding my forever favorite — one that was transparent, trustworthy, sustainable, delicious, and backed by rigorous research. A tall order, indeed.
Enter: ACTIVIST Manuka Honey, a New Zealand-based brand with uncompromising standards (hi, independent testing and certification!) and impeccable quality. As soon as I tried a few jars of the Raw Manuka Honey — in 100 MGO, 300 MGO, and 850 MGO — it was game over. Love at first taste, if you will.
MGO refers to the Methylglyoxal (MGO) grading system, which basically verifies the honey you’re buying is authentic Manuka honey. The higher the MGO rating, the higher the level of antibacterial activity present — important, because the germ-fighting powers are what make Manuka so special and sought after!
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Manuka honey is a magical beauty secret, but its benefits are way more than skin deep.
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Another reason Manuka is one of my must-haves: It’s an expert multitasker. The ways I incorporate it into my routine fall into three different categories: for beauty purposes, for skin-healing purposes, and for internal wellness support.
THE BEE’S KNEES OF BEAUTY
When it comes to beauty, I’ve been getting creative. There are so many ways to maximize Manuka honey; lately, I’ve been loving the 100 MGO as a face wash, the 300 MGO as a face mask, and the 850 MGO as a weekly hair mask. I’ll use it as a spot treatment on clean skin to minimize the look of scarring and skin damage, too — it’s a miracle worker at improving tone.
HONEY FOR YOUR SKIN IS IN
Thanks to its antibacterial properties, it’s also a potent topical treatment for soothing all kinds of skin conditions. (The methylglyoxal enzymes in the honey are believed to support quicker healing and ease discomfort.) I simply scoop up a dollop using a spoon, apply the honey to clean skin, and leave it on for up to 20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water. If I’m going to be out and about, I’ll cover the area with a dressing to keep the stickiness in check.
A SWEETER WAY TO INTERNAL HEALTH
What I really love about Manuka honey, though, is all the ways its wellness-boosting enzymes support my health from the inside out. For scratchy throats and oncoming (or existing!) colds, I’ll reach for a spoonful of a higher potency, like the 850 MGO — I need all the extra germ-fighting powers I can get! Manuka honey also contains oligosaccharides, which have a balancing effect on the gut, making it a fantastic post-meal dessert. Thanks to its high concentration of antibacterial and microbial properties that support healthy teeth and gums, Manuka honey is a great choice for mouthwash or oil pulling, as well.
Plus, or perhaps most importantly — at least for me! — it tastes like sweet, rich, golden nectar from the gods.
And who said multitasking was impossible?
When it comes to beauty, I’ve been getting creative. There are so many ways to maximize Manuka honey; lately, I’ve been loving the 100 MGO as a face wash, the 300 MGO as a face mask, and the 850 MGO as a weekly hair mask. I’ll use it as a spot treatment on clean skin to minimize the look of scarring and skin damage, too — it’s a miracle worker at improving tone.
HONEY FOR YOUR SKIN IS IN
Thanks to its antibacterial properties, it’s also a potent topical treatment for soothing all kinds of skin conditions. (The methylglyoxal enzymes in the honey are believed to support quicker healing and ease discomfort.) I simply scoop up a dollop using a spoon, apply the honey to clean skin, and leave it on for up to 20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water. If I’m going to be out and about, I’ll cover the area with a dressing to keep the stickiness in check.
A SWEETER WAY TO INTERNAL HEALTH
What I really love about Manuka honey, though, is all the ways its wellness-boosting enzymes support my health from the inside out. For scratchy throats and oncoming (or existing!) colds, I’ll reach for a spoonful of a higher potency, like the 850 MGO — I need all the extra germ-fighting powers I can get! Manuka honey also contains oligosaccharides, which have a balancing effect on the gut, making it a fantastic post-meal dessert. Thanks to its high concentration of antibacterial and microbial properties that support healthy teeth and gums, Manuka honey is a great choice for mouthwash or oil pulling, as well.
Plus, or perhaps most importantly — at least for me! — it tastes like sweet, rich, golden nectar from the gods.
And who said multitasking was impossible?
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