Our Universe

The notebook

Our Universe

Plants, women, practices — simply told.

Part one

Plants for iron and energy

I

The Moringa

The tree that never dies.

Present in Iron Boost

Moringa

Native to northern India, Moringa oleifera has spread throughout sub-Saharan Africa, where it grows wild in the tropics. In Guinea, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, its leaves have been harvested for generations — dried, ground, incorporated into meals and decoctions.

Every part of the tree is used: the leaves, seeds, roots, bark. The ancients called it zogale, or neverdié depending on the region. Modern science has simply confirmed what they already knew — it is one of the most complete plants that exist.

Twenty-five times more iron than spinach. Seventeen times more calcium than milk. Nine essential amino acids. A plant that alone contains half a dispensary.

Its richness in non-heme iron — the plant form, the gentlest — makes it a valuable ally for women who experience energy drops related to their cycle. Its action is gradual, lasting. Not a peak like caffeine, but deep support, day after day.

“In Guinea, Moringa leaves were given to women after childbirth to help them regain their strength. It was the first thing prepared.”

Guinean tradition

II

The Nettle

The forgotten iron plant.

Present in Iron Boost

U

Urtica dioica. It grows everywhere in Europe, Asia, North Africa. Long dismissed as a weed — the one that stings, that you pull up, that you avoid. Today recognized as one of the most complete medicinal plants in the European pharmacopoeia.

Ancient Greeks already used it. Medieval herbalists too. Midwives prescribed it for centuries to new mothers to replenish lost blood. Before perfusions, there was Nettle.

Its secret: an exceptional iron content for a plant, combined with a richness in vitamin K which helps regulate excessive periods. And natural silica which nourishes hair, skin, nails. The plant for anemic women — and their beauty.

“Midwives of old prescribed Nettle to new mothers to replenish blood. Before perfusions, there was Nettle.”

European herbalist tradition

Part two

Plants for the female cycle

III

The Djeka

The secret passed from mother to daughter.

Present in Intime

Alchornea cordifolia — that's its scientific name. But in West Africa, everyone calls it Djeka. This large-leafed plant grows in the humid areas of Senegal, Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, and Ghana.

For generations, African women have used it in the form of decoction, sitz bath, or infusion to take care of their intimate flora. It was not folk medicine — it was transmitted knowledge.

Tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids. Science eventually put words to what grandmothers had always known.

Djeka

Djeka helps maintain the balance of intimate pH, soothe irritations, protect the vaginal mucous membrane. Consumed regularly as an infusion, it supports the intimate flora from within — gently, gradually.

Not a one-off cure. A ritual that continues, that soothes, that rebalances month after month.

“Djeka is what mothers pass on to their daughters when they have their first period. Before gynecologists, there was Djeka.”

West African female tradition

IV

The Khamaré

The sacred root of African women.

Present in Intime

Khamaré

Vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides) is a tropical grass native to India, cultivated for millennia in Africa, Asia, and the West Indies. Its long fragrant roots concentrate the essential oils that make its reputation.

In West Africa, it is called Khamaré. It is used in the form of decoction, bath, and infusion — to purify the body, calm the nervous system, support female health.

Sesquiterpenes, organic acids, alcohols. Its earth, its scent, its molecules — everything in this root has an action on the body and mind.

African women have used Khamaré since antiquity to purify the body after menstruation, relieve stress, promote restorative sleep. Its earthy and woody scent has a profound effect on the nervous system — it soothes, it helps rebalance emotions during the cycle.

“Khamaré was put in the bathwater for women after their periods. To purify, to renew, to start anew.”

West African tradition

V

The Raspberry

The cycle's ally, in the West as in Africa.

Present in Intime

R

Rubus idaeus — the wild Raspberry. Native to Europe and Asia, it grows in temperate forests. Its fruits are delicious, but it is its leaves that have interested herbalists since antiquity.

In European tradition, infusions of Raspberry leaves were prepared for pregnant women, adolescent girls from their first period, and all those who suffered from menstrual pain. English midwives called it "the woman's herb" — the plant for women.

Fragarine, a specific alkaloid in its leaves, has a tonic action on the smooth muscles of the uterus. It regulates uterine contractions — which explains its effect on cramps. Its tannins soothe inflammation, its flavonoids support hormonal balance in the long term.

“English midwives called raspberry leaf the woman's herb. They prescribed it for almost everything related to the cycle.”

European herbalist tradition

VI

The 4-sided

The fruit that seals the formula.

Present in Intime

4 côtés

Cassia tora — that's its scientific name. In West Africa, it's simply called "4 côtés" because of the characteristic shape of its pods. A wild plant that grows by the roadside, from Senegal to Cameroon, for as long as anyone can remember.

Its leaves and seeds are used in traditional cuisine — dried, infused, sometimes fermented. But it is in feminine medicine that the 4-sided holds its reputation: gentle action on the intimate sphere, digestive support, inner balance.

It completes the Djeka, Khamaré, Raspberry trio. Where the others soothe and tone, the 4-sided seals — completing the ritual, closing the loop.

“The 4-sided is what old women added at the end, to fix the benefit. Without it, they said, the infusion is not complete.”

West African tradition

Part three

Plants for lightness

VII

The Bissap

The red flower of Africa.

Present in Minci

In Senegal, it's Bissap. In Guinea, it's Foléré. In Egypt, Karkadé. In Jamaica, Sorrel. Throughout Africa and the Caribbean, Hibiscus sabdariffa is the celebratory flower, the drink of sharing. A flower known for its vibrant purple color — and for what it contains.

Its red, slightly tart sepals have been harvested, dried, and infused for centuries. Local populations instinctively recognized its refreshing, purifying, toning virtues. Today, science has confirmed the intuition: Bissap is one of the plants richest in anthocyanins — powerful antioxidant pigments that fight free radicals.

Its natural diuretic action helps eliminate water retention. Studies have also shown its positive impact on lipid metabolism: consumed regularly, it helps reduce fat accumulation and support a healthy weight. Effortlessly, without constraint. Just a flower, infused every day.

“At home, we drink Bissap after festive meals. Instinctively, we knew it helped to digest, to feel light.”

Senegalese tradition

VIII

The Ginger

The root that awakens.

Present in Minci

G

Zingiber officinale — a root native to Southeast Asia, introduced to West Africa via Arab trade routes. In Guinea, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, it is ubiquitous: in juices, sauces, decoctions. Five thousand years of use in Asia and Africa, without aging a bit.

It has always been recognized for its power to "warm the body from within." This ancestral intuition corresponds to a precise pharmacological reality: ginger is thermogenic. Gingerol, shogaol, paradol — its active ingredients slightly raise body temperature, increase energy expenditure, and promote the use of fats as fuel.

It also stimulates bile production, accelerates transit, and reduces bloating. Natural support for the silhouette — without artificial stimulants, without excitement, without rebound.

“Ginger is what is given to women after childbirth to regain their flat stomach. We knew it activated something in the body.”

West African tradition