"Cold season came early to my house, and a spoonful of honey right before bed helped tame the dry cough that had been keeping me up at night. It wasn't just any honey that eased the tickle in my throat; it was manuka honey from Comvita ($56 for 8.8 ounces). Honey is a natural humectant, meaning it seals in moisture to soothe dry throats. It's also a natural antibacterial, so it helps fight against infections, and manuka honey is a particularly potent strain. In fact, this honey is graded on a UMF scale (that's Unique Manuka Factor), and the higher the number, the stronger the healing properties. I am partial to 15 UMF honey. This intense-tasting nectar hails from manuka flowers grown in a pristine forest in New Zealand; you don't want to dilute it by mixing it into your hot tea. You just eat straight one small teaspoon at a time. You can find it at Costco and Amazon or buy directly from Comvita." — Susi May, senior content director, Living
