- Ali
When I first discovered ceremonial cacao I was at a loss as to understand the difference between it and the organic powdered cacao I had in the kitchen pantry. A lot of research, a not insignificant amount of tasting!, a lot of soul searching, and an immense amount of reading up on the history, tribes and regions where cacao grows, led me to many revelations. Let me share a few.
What is Cacao?
Cacao is chocolate in its rawest, purest form. A ceremonial drink, unsweetened and unprocessed, she is always referred to in the feminine. She is a superfood with all of her original vitamins and minerals available to your body. She also carries theobromine, her magic ingredient, which opens your heart and connects you to your intuition, creativity & higher self. Theobromine is an alkaloid, it's the psychoactive property in cacao that gives it its name food of the Gods – Thea meaning God and Broma meaning food. When using her alongside meditation you are offering an invitation to yourself to grow spiritually and emotionally. Known as Mama Cacao for her heart opening warmth, drinking her is like being wrapped in a warm hug. Drinking her with ritual and ceremony is how we show our respects to her and will enable you to get the most benefit from her heart opening properties.
Vitamins & Minerals
Pharmaceutically speaking, cacao is the most complex food found in nature, with over 300 essential nutrients including; Magnesium, Manganese, Iron, Zinc, Chromium Sulphur, Potassium, Phosphorous, B vitamins, omega-6 and vitamin C
Balances hormones, sugar levels & enhanced focus
Cacao supports the body in so many ways, from enhancing focus, developing inner peace, creating feelings of trust, love & safety, she shifts emotional blockages, increases productivity and can encourage creativity.
She helps prevent cardiovascular disease and the risk of stroke, boosts the immune system and lowers cholesterol.
She also reduces depression, anxiety, negative emotions and balances hormone levels
Contraindications
Cacao is a plant medicine and should be treated as such - this is NOT hot chocolate!
Those who are on anti-depressants or anti-psychotics (SSRI's) should not drink cacao. These elements do not mix with the tryptophan and MAOI found in cacao.
If you are on heart medication, you should also not drink cacao as it could de-stabilise your heart beat.
Caffeine and cacao do not mix either - they are different plant energies. While caffeine stimulates your nervous system, cacao stimulates your cardiac system. Mixing the two will bring lack of focus and a chaotic inner energy - not pleasant!
If you are pregnant, consult your obstetrician for personal advice. Many women use their intuition when drinking cacao and start with a very low dose, allowing their baby and bodies to guide them. In parts of the world where cacao is still used as medicine, it is given to mothers directly after birth as a blessing ritual and to help her regain strength and iron levels after birth.
To discuss your indivdiaul requirments please email me or get in touch via WhatsApp 07973843020.
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