Blog

The 'still life' blog is a repository of information on herbs and mushrooms within Vivacitea formulations as well as case studies. Shared below are ingredient insights and examples of fusing taste & medicinal value, creating the perfect blend for you to start your day, expand your consciousness, or settle down.

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June 4, 2026

Ingredient Spotlight: Chrysanthemum

In the vast realm of herbal teas, chrysanthemum tea stands as a delightful and venerable infusion, boasting an intricate cultural history interwoven with medicinal uses. Brewing the flower as a tea originated in China around the Song Dynasty (960-1279), where its cultivation became an integral part of society. People appreciated the flower’s radiant beauty, but it was the bloom’s therapeutic properties that elevated its status. Celebrated in Chinese traditional medicine for centuries, chrysanthemum tea has been praised for its capacity to cool the body, stabilize mood, improve eyesight, and ease headaches.

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March 24, 2026

Customizing for Neurodiverse Cognitive Performance

The neurodiversity paradigm has brought a fresh perspective to understanding human cognition, spotlighting the rich tapestry of mental diversities that exist among us. Neurodiversity essentially reframes conditions like ADHD, autism, and dyslexia as natural human variations rather than pathological disorders. However, this doesn’t negate the fact that individuals who are neurodiverse can face unique cognitive challenges, especially when it comes to attention and focus. Let’s explore how substances like caffeine found in tea and other herbal remedies may influence cognitive performance.

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January 4, 2026

Ingredient Spotlight: Gymnema 'Sugar Balancer'

Known as chi geng teng in China, Gymnema sylvestre has a wide range of use historically. It is now primarily used for diabetic or metabolic conditions, as modern research shows its positive effects on blood sugar homeostasis, control of sugar cravings, and promotion of pancretic regeneration. By helping maintain blood sugar homeostasis, you’re less subject to a ‘sugar rush’ thereby subduing future sweet cravings.

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November 24, 2025

Ingredient Spotlight: Kratom (Mitragyna)

A somewhat lesser-known herb rooted in Southeast Asian medicine that is frequently co-marketed with cannabis products is kratom. Kratom has a wide variety of medicinal applications loosely categorized by ‘strain.’ The concept of strains in kratom is a bit of a misnomer– the different colors in the veins of the leaves correspond to the maturity of the leaves at the time of harvesting and indicate which alkaloids are more prominent at that growth stage. The simplified spectrum, in order from more energizing to more sedating, runs from white to green to yellow to red.

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