Chocolate! A powerful medicine in its natural form...
“Chocolate is a divine, celestial drink, the sweat of the stars, the vital seed, divine nectar, the drink of the gods, panacea and universal medicine."
- Geronimo Piperni, quoted by Antonio Lavedán, Spanish army surgeon, 1796
Cacao has always been considered a very powerful aphrodisiac, exotic food, and medicine by the Mesoamerican and South American cultures, such as the Mayans, Aztecs and Spanish conquistadors. The Mayans also called it Chocol’ha, and used the verb chokola’j meaning, ‘to drink chocolate together,’ suggesting that cacao by its very nature needs to be drunk with others. Most of Mesoamerica used cacao as a sacred beverage to commune with their gods.
However, we are not talking about industrialised commercial chocolate made by ‘Nestle’, or ‘Kraft,’ that’s packed full of milk, sugar and fats. In fact, the more cacao is processed, the more of its goodness disappears. We are talking about 100% cacao straight from the bean, ground down into what is known, as the ‘cacao liquor/paste,’ and historically renowned for its many health benefits that support physical and psychological well-being.
This is because cacao is packed with goodness, for our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Its active ingredient is theobromine, which literally means ‘Food of the Gods. Theobromine increases the blood flow to the brain, creating more mental agility, awareness and focus. It increases skin resistance to UV radiation/sunburn, keeps skin smooth and elastic, slows down tooth decay, and can remove heavy metals from the body. It also contains potassium, phosphorus, copper, iron, zinc, and magnesium which contribute to cardiovascular health.
Cacao also contains flavonoids, which are extremely potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents that support brain and cardiovascular health, and may also delay dementias like senility and Alzheimer’s. It lowers blood pressure, helps the clotting process of blood, and improves blood flow to the brain and heart, while the theobromine and small caffeine content boosts energy levels and relieves fatigue, helping you sleep better. The significant amounts of chromium balances blood sugar levels and helps the body’s cells resist damage by free radicals caused by toxic environments.
It is also a wonderful alternative to coffee because its valeric acid content triggers the release of dopamine, anandamide and the endorphin, phenylethylamine, all of which are known as the ‘bliss molecules,’and give us the feeling of being in love. Cacao also contains the essential amino acid tryptophan, which increases production of serotonin, an important brain chemical that helps us remain positive and happy. A lack of serotonin can lead to depression, fatigue and mood swings.
Evidence from clinical trials show that consuming 1.5 ounces of dark chocolate per day for a period of two weeks reduced stress hormones and stress-related biochemical agents in volunteers who rated themselves as highly stressed.
Cacao is not only great for our mental and physical well-being; it can also help our emotional and spiritual well-being too. Cacao is a powerful plant medicine that helps us release emotional blockages that no longer serve us, find forgiveness in ourselves and others, and show us the way forward if we are stuck or afraid of making the necessary life changes in order to move on.
I facilitate traditional heart opening cacao ceremonies, where we drink a strong mug of pure hot cacao and go on a shamanic journey to meet the Spirit of Cacao and dissolve stuck emotions, conditionings, patterns of behaviour and addictions that are buried deep in the unconscious.
Drinking cacao on a regular basis can help you feel calmer and more balanced, tolerance levels increase, and you will feel happier, younger, more vibrant and energised. Most importantly, it can help stave off those depressive dips, especially when the mountain seems insurmountable.
Chocolate! Who would have thought this humble confectionery is such a powerful medicine in its natural form? It’s time to share the love!
Love & Gratitude,
Rebekah Shaman