THE BOTANY of BITTERS & BLOOMS

In the 19th century, darjeeling was cultivated for distinction. first flush prized for delicacy, second flush for body and muscatel depth. Beyond romance, the chemistry matters.
Darjeeling tea is rich in catechins and polyphenols, compounds studied for their antioxidant activity, vascular support, and role in metabolic regulation.

THE POETRY OF DAILY RITUALS

A CABINET OF CURIOSITIES: PRESERVED WONDERS

In 1779, Marie Antoinette refused her medicine.
So her pharmacist, Sulpice Debauve, suspended powdered remedies in cocoa butter and sugar, pressing them into small pastilles. They were called Les Pistoles de Marie Antoinette, rich in Flavanols.

A STUDY OF ANATOMY

The vagus nerve regulates heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, inflammation, and the body’s ability to exit stress. Approximately 80% of its fibers are afferent, meaning they carry information from the gut to the brain.

Hence, interventions that improve gut motility and reduce digestive irritation can influence stress physiology, cardiovascular markers, and metabolic health without acting directly on the brain.