Path of a Green Witch Podcast

Here is a collection of facts about Manuka honey that go beyond simple chemistry. These focus on its botanical origins, its traditional use in New Zealand's indigenous medicine (Rongoā Māori), and its unique characteristics as a "plant-based" remedy.1. Manuka Honey is a "Monofloral" SpecialistMost honey is "polyfloral" (bees visit many different types of flowers). True medicinal Manuka is monofloral, meaning the bees must collect at least 70% of their nectar from the Leptospermum scoparium shrub. If they wander too far to a clover field, the medicinal potency (MGO) drops significantly.2. The "Nectar to Medicine" TransformationThe antibacterial magic of Manuka doesn't actually exist in the flower's nectar. The nectar contains a compound called Dihydroxyacetone (DHA). It is only after the bees add their own enzymes and store the honey in the hive that the DHA slowly converts into the super-powered Methylglyoxal (MGO). It’s a literal biological alchemy.3. The Māori "Taonga" (Treasure)Indigenous Māori people have used the Manuka plant as a "pharmacy in a bush" for centuries, long before the honey was commercially branded.The Bark: Boiled into a tea to act as a sedative or used as a topical rub for sore muscles.The Leaves: Steeped to reduce fevers or inhaled as steam for colds.The Resin (Gum): Applied to burns or chewed to treat coughs.4. It Thrives in "Stressed" SoilThe Manuka shrub is incredibly hardy and often grows in poor, acidic soil where other plants die. In herbalism, plants that survive harsh conditions are often believed to possess more "resilience" or "vitality," which is then passed on to the consumer through its honey or oils.5. A Natural HumectantIn herbal skincare, Manuka is prized because it is a humectant. This means it doesn't just moisturize; it actually pulls moisture from the air and traps it in the skin. This makes it an "active" ingredient in herbal salves rather than just a base.6. It has a "Thixotropic" NatureThis is a fancy herbal/scientific term meaning the honey is naturally a gel when at rest, but becomes liquid when stirred or shaken. This "jelly-like" consistency is a signature of high-quality Manuka and is one way traditional harvesters could tell it apart from standard honey.7. The "Anti-Biofilm" WarriorOne of the most impressive herbal facts is Manuka's ability to break down biofilms. Bacteria often build a "slime shield" (biofilm) to protect themselves from antibiotics. Manuka honey is one of the few natural substances that can penetrate this shield to kill the bacteria hiding underneath.8. Short Flowering WindowThe Manuka bush only blooms for 2 to 6 weeks a year. This creates an intense "harvest window." This scarcity is part of why it is treated with such reverence in both the herbal market and in ritual magic—it is a fleeting gift from the earth.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/path-of-a-green-witch-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Substack link https://open.substack.com/pub/parlexia/p/spotted-lanternfly-honey-recipes?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web "Doom Bloom" is the punchy, apocalyptic name given to a unique type of honey produced from the secretions of the spotted lanternfly, an invasive pest from Asia that has heavily impacted the Northeast U.S.1While typical honey comes from flower nectar, Doom Bloom is technically a "honeydew honey." It was famously branded and marketed by the Philadelphia Bee Co. as a way to find a silver lining to the lanternfly invasion.2How It's MadeThe Bug: Spotted lanternflies feed on plant sap (especially from the invasive Tree of Heaven).3The Secretion: Because they consume more sugar than they can digest, they excrete a sticky, sugary liquid called "honeydew" (essentially bug waste).4The Bee: In late summer and fall, when flowers are scarce, honeybees collect this honeydew and process it into honey just like they would with nectar.5What It Tastes LikeIt is famously "polarizing." People rarely think it's just "okay"—they usually love it or hate it.Flavor Profile: It is very dark, thick, and less sweet than floral honey.6 Most tasters describe it as smoky, earthy, and savory, with notes of molasses, bacon, or "wet leaves."7Aroma: It has a distinct, pungent smoky odor.8Texture: It tends to be stickier and "stringier" than traditional clover honey and crystallizes quickly.9Why It’s Not All BadHigh Antimicrobial Power: Recent research from Penn State suggests this honey may have higher antibacterial properties than Manuka honey, potentially making it effective against bacteria like MRSA and E. coli.10Great for Bees: Interestingly, honeybees seem to overwinter very well on this "doom" honey, providing them a food source when nothing else is blooming.11Culinary Use: Chefs and foodies have embraced it as a "party trick" ingredient, pairing it with strong blue cheeses or using it as a glaze for roasted meats where the smokiness can shine.12Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/path-of-a-green-witch-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

I have Cashapp! $Parlexia https://cash.app/$Parlexia Thank you for supporting my work! 🙏🏾And thank you for listening to Path of a Green Witch Podcast 🌿Human Family Tree In the beginning, beneath African skies so wide,  A mother walked where ancient rivers flowed with pride,  Her daughters scattered like seeds upon the wind,  Carrying stories in their bones, in blood, in skin.From deepest ebony to palest morning light,  We wear the journeys of our ancestors’ flight,  Each shade a chapter, each hue a tale to tell,  Of migrations, adaptations, and the genes that fell.So gather close, dear listeners, and hear the truth unfold,  Of mitochondrial mothers and genetic stories told,  Of how we came to be so beautifully diverse,  Connected by one origin, across the universe.From Africa’s soil, where the journey began,  We carry the memory in woman and man,  Of mothers who walked under ancient skies,  Whose children would scatter, adapt, and survive.The sun wrote its story on each one’s skin,  Some dark as the night, some light as the wind,  Not better nor lesser, just perfectly made,  For the lands where they wandered, the homes where they stayed.In every complexion, a tale of the earth,  Of challenges met and of hard-won worth,  Of genes that remembered the sun and the snow,  Of ancestors’ journeys from long, long ago.So honor your heritage, treasure your line,  Each person a branch on a tree so divine,  Connected by roots that run deep and run far,  We’re all made of stardust, we’re all kin to the stars.From Eve’s ancient children to you and to me,  One family, one species, one human tree,  May we walk in this knowing, may we honor this truth:  Diversity binds us from elder to youth.-AndreaSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/path-of-a-green-witch-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Very suspicious!🤨🧐December 15, 2025Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/path-of-a-green-witch-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Aviara Hope 🕊️ Call Tiffany 617 - 602 - 8530 🔗Link to Path of a Green Witch Substack 👈🏾🔗Link to Path of a Green Witch Discord 👈🏾🔗Link to Ko-fi 👈🏾Visit my Substack page for the podcast transcript. Thank you for listening!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/path-of-a-green-witch-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy