The Benefits of Cacao
Updated: Apr 20
Shifting into Inner Autumn today (days 19-28+ of my menstrual cycle) and I'm definitely feeling the edginess, masculinity and heightened feels of this phase already.
First step for me: raw ground cacao from the cacao plant and it's beans.
In its original form, cacao contains lots of antioxidants, minerals and nutrients - one of these is theobromine which is a non psychedelic stimulant which increases blood flow, regulates blood pressure and releases serotonin (a happy hormone) in the brain.
It is particularly important to support a healthy uterus because it contains polyphenol antioxidants. It also helps with depression, insomnia, nervousness and excitability, as well as regulating blood pressure and sugar levels, and preventing cardiometabolic diseases. As a plant medicine it contains many properties that work to support inner healing. It improves brain function and our ability to focus; and improves our mood all in one.
This is all why during times of stress, raw cacao is a beautiful tool to use.
Once heavily heated and processed however (for example on its way to becoming commercial chocolate), many of these active compounds are stripped away. So this is why it is very different at a biological level to have cacao compared to having a hot chocolate.
It's first known use is with the Masoamerican peoples where it was used in ceremony with shamans (not surprising considering its physiological response). Moving to the Incan people and then to the Aztecs and continued to be used in ritual, it was then taken to Spain after the Spanish plundered, stole and committed biopiracy against the Aztec people. In Spain, the cacao first begun to be used purely as a luxury item, being mixed with honey and other ingredients. When a royal marriage took place between Spain and France, cacao was sent across as a gift where the French began mixing it with sugar and diary goods allowing it's evolution into the chocolate we commonly see today.
Cacao was not used only in closed ceremony and was provided by God not man created which are two reasons why I support its use. But, I do think it deserves to be used carefully due to its physical properties (and high caffeine and diuretic components!) rather than being used as an off hand grocery food item.
Personally, I will also only support companies which are are focused on cacao as a wellness food item rather than a spiritual tool and, where the cacao has been ethically sourced.
I generally have mine whilst setting my intentions for the day ahead.
❤
P.S.
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