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.
Iodine-Kelp
Probably everyone who has watched the great series Chernobyl remembers the scene where the main female protagonist is handing iodine tablets to the secretary in the office of the Belarusian ministry, who, by the way, says she is pregnant. Iodine is a chemical element that our body needs for the thyroid gland to function properly. And anyone who has thyroid issues knows how much it influences in the body. It is truly incredible how intricately our bodies are assembled and what is required to ensure you are healthy and functional.
Iron - the Elixir of Youth
Anyone who admires the muscular Arnold Schwarzenegger has surely seen the documentary Pumping Iron about his complex transformation from a skinny teenager to an absolute physical Olympian. His musculature is still admirable today. And it was ordinary iron that helped him achieve it. Of course, it's a joke; he mainly lifted iron. However, to make his muscles look like Hercules', he needed iron in a completely different form.
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...
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.
Surprisingly Resilient Maca - Peruvian Cress
This remarkable plant (Lepidium mayenii) from the Peruvian Andes, where it is grown at extreme altitudes (4000 m a.s.l.). It is incredibly resilient and can survive and grow in conditions where most other plant species would not survive, such as low temperatures, strong winds, and intense UV radiation. Its ability to adapt to harsh environments enriches it with nutrients and substances that positively impact the human body, enhancing resistance to both physical and mental stress.
