Lady's Mantle ... from the past to the present ...
Derived from the Latin word "Alchemilla" related to alchemy. Alchemists believed in the miraculous power of the water drops in its leaves 'heavenly water,' (symbolizing purity and the mystery of nature) which were supposed to help them achieve eternal youth or turn ordinary metal into gold. They devoted much attention to lady's mantle, which led not only to its naming but more importantly to the discovery of its medicinal properties. Today's world relies on the proven health benefits this medicinal plant offers.
Lady's Mantle ... from the past to the present ...
Derived from the Latin word "Alchemilla" related to alchemy. Alchemists believed in the miraculous power of the water drops in its leaves 'heavenly water,' (symbolizing purity and the mystery of nature) which were supposed to help them achieve eternal youth or turn ordinary metal into gold. They devoted much attention to lady's mantle, which led not only to its naming but more importantly to the discovery of its medicinal properties. Today's world relies on the proven health benefits this medicinal plant offers.
Vitamin A - and I see...
Vitamin A - Retinol, was discovered in 1916. But it was not until 15 years later that its chemical structure was determined. And it took another 15 years before we learned to produce it synthetically (in the form of acetate). It is relatively rare in dietary supplement stores, which is strange because its deficiency can lead to night blindness.
B3 - example that food is medicine
Niacin was long considered a mere part of the diet until it was discovered that its deficiency causes skin, digestive, and mental problems known as pellagra. Doctor Goldberger proved that the cause of this disease is not an infection but a one-sided diet without vitamin B3. He conducted an experiment on himself and his colleagues, who consumed exclusively poor diets and began to show symptoms of pellagra. However, when they added nutrients rich in niacin to their diet, the symptoms disappeared. In 1937, niacin was isolated from the liver, confirming its importance and nutritional value.
Vitamin C - is it just a placebo?
Vitamin C is probably the most well-known and commonly used vitamin. From childhood, our mothers give us effervescent Celaskon in winter to protect us from colds and the flu. And even though recent studies may cast doubt on this, as there is no study that directly confirms that vitamin C protects against the flu and colds, there are facts that cannot be denied.
Cordyceps - Zombie in Reality
Cordyceps sinensis - this is our zombie predator. In China, it is called "in winter insects, in summer herbs." Imagine a fungus that during reproduction in summer shoots its spores (seeds), which attach to the insect's body. It gradually grows throughout and parasitizes it, devours it from the inside out, with the insect still alive, even altering its outer appearance but still foraging until it retreats underground where it dies and mummifies. The fungus can survive in it for a longer period. The fungus literally controls the host's body, growing out of its body in summer, forming slender "sticks" 5-20 cm high. This inspired the video game series Last of Us where the Cordyceps fungus turns humankind into zombies. In real life, this video game unfolds in the actual life of insects. The victims are larvae of butterflies, large ants, spiders...
