(Co-founders Courtney and Josiah Rebel | Photos courtesy of Manuka Mana)
Manuka Mana was born out of the necessity to heal. The company was founded by a husband and wife team, Josiah and Courtney Rebel. Josiah was working as a chef, and Courtney was working in the wellness industry. At the age of just 32, Josiah suffered a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), also known as a mini stroke, brought on from teenage concussions that were never properly addressed. Courtney was pregnant at the time, and dealing with constant neurologist appointments and medical testing while raising a newborn was quite difficult.
Courtney and Josiah were aware of what a TIA can mean for future health. Specifically, it dramatically increases the likelihood of the individual suffering a full-blown stroke, which means proper and prompt medical treatment is a necessity to focus on long-term health.
Courtney and Josiah wanted to seriously address this problem, but they found that there wasn’t much out there, in terms of effective treatment. That is what spurred them to dive into the emerging research behind what can actually repair neurons and the myelin sheath, which is a layer of fat or lipids that surrounds and protects neurons.
What they found was thousands of studies that pointed towards lion’s mane mushrooms and their ability to strengthen that lipid lining. These findings inspired the duo to get serious and to start working on their own formula designed to promote brain function and health.
This is what led to Manuka Mana. They use a triple extraction process to make the lion’s mane mushrooms more bioavailable, and combine that with Manuka honey, from New Zealand. Manuka honey contains antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant benefits, making it a quality supplement for long-term human health.
As a chef, Josiah wanted to create a supplement that tastes as good as it is healthy, which led to the creation of their current product line. Manuka Mana offers tinctures, honeyblends, tonics and sprays that are all designed to utilize these two ingredients — triple extracted lion’s mane mushrooms and Manuka honey — to promote brain health, energy, focus and more.
Moving to Bend after losing nearly everything in a wildfire, Josiah and Courtney spend most of COVID in the research and development phase. They launched Manuka Mana four years ago here in Bend, and found rapid popularity in the local market. They had some initial doubt, as to whether or not people would be interested, but after selling out of their product at the local Sunriver Fungi Fest, they realized they had something special.
A lesson learned along the way is to get connected with your local community and build relationships that last. Courtney remarked that COVID was isolating, and self motivation can be tough when you are the only person keeping track of your progress.
In addition, Courtney mentioned the benefit of deciding upon values early on, so that the company can be built on them as it grows. For example, Manuka Mana decided early on that they have a dedication to the planet, and want to get people a product that is as close to nature as possible. That is why they only use mushrooms that have been harvested in the wild, not grown by humans.
Looking ahead, Courtney wants to focus on perfecting the extraction process, and expanding their product line to include dried or powdered products that are still as bioavailable as the rest of their line. She also wants to hold more events, partake in more fests and farmers markets, and get people interested in the benefits of mushrooms by maintaining their fun samples, such as offering blue mushroom ice cream at farmers markets.
