About Cacao

The History of cacao

Cacao is a plant medicine. The tradition of cacao comes from the Mayan and Aztec tradition from Meso and South America, and has been used for over 4000 years. In indigenous cultures, cacao was traditionally a ceremony to connect to the divine. Cacao is seen as the food of the gods.

This is because cacao opens up the energetic heart (the heart and sacral chakra). This openness makes it possible to commune with the Gods.

Traditionally, cacao has been used in ceremony, in ritual to commune with the Gods, or as an offering to the Gods. Cacao was even used as a currency in the ancient time, because it has such a high value.

So when we use cacao, we are tapping in to an ancient tradition and legacy.

Renaissance of cacao

There is a Mayan legend that says that cacao will return to the people when there is a disbalance between people and nature that needs to be restored.

At the moment we are in the renaissance of cacao, and cacao has been coming back to the people in the last 20 years, in an intercultural way.

Because now more than ever, humanity needs to remember their connection to nature and the Divine. That is why the medicine of cacao is coming back to people from all over the world, and all cultures so we can all remember who we truly are.

Health Benefits of Cacao

In my work, I use cacao for its spiritual qualities: to open up the portal to the Soul, and connect to the Divine.

But next to its amazing spiritual qualities, cacao also has a lot of physical effects which is a real up side. Cacao is plant medicine, and this is because it has so many amazing effects on the physical body as well.

To start off, cacao is very nourishing, and contains many healthy ingredients.

Cacao is rich of:

fibers, which is really important when it comes to having a healthy gut.
proteins, which helps to grow and maintain muscles mass.
Potassium which is really important for the muscular and neurological functions.
Magnesium: which is important for the energy household and metabolism. This also helps to have healthy strong bones and teeth, and also works on a psychological level.
electrolytes, it also helps our muscles to recover. So if you are a sporty type, cacao will help your muscles!
Neurotransmitters such as theobromine, and tryptamine
Antioxidants, which helps us to look younger and have a more radiant skin.

Cacao is also a natural antidepressant, and therefore reduces anxiety.

On a physical level, cacao helps to:

have a healthy heart and cardiovascular system, because it increases the blood flow.
It has been clinically proven that cacao even helps to lower the blood pressure, and to help improve the brain activity.
Energize the body and reduce fatigue.
This is because of the high level of magnesium. As it also contains lots of

Cacao also reduces stress, and helps to relax and calms. This is because of the high levels of magnesium and potassium.

Cacao also helps to feel good. It is a healthy and safe way to bring our emotional sate up. And this is because it contains ‘Anadamine’ which is also called the “bliss molecule”.

Last but not least, cacao is also a real superfood. Ceremonial cacao contains about 30% of natural fats which as essential for the digestion of food.

Also, if you have PMS, cacao can be really helpful because of the high doses of magnesium that it contains.

Maybe you’re about to drink your first cup of ceremonial cacao and you think “hmm, hot chocolate”. I’m afraid that I will have to disappoint you, cacao is no hot chocolate.

Ceremonial cacao has been minimally processed after the harvesting. Unlike chocolate cacao, it hasn’t been defatted, and processed under low temperatures to contain its healing and nurturing qualities.

Also, ceremonial cacao is 100% pure cacao, which means that it is very bitter. In conventional cacao a lot has been added to it to make it sweet and tasty such as milk and sugar.

You can sweeten up your ceremonial cacao, by adding a bit or of spices such as cinnamon, cardamon, and agave.

Lastly, ceremonial cacao has been blessed by a cacao shaman.

Difference between ceremonial cacao and hot chocolate

Contradictions

Cacao is a plant medicine. Next to that, cacao is a superfood. It contains healthy fats and antioxidants, it energizes and creates a feeling of bliss and happiness. Because cacao opens the heart and increases the blood flow, you might experience that your heart will beat a bit faster.

There are a couple of contradictions for the use of cacao:

If you are pregnant, don’t take too much or start with a low dose, because the theobromine in cacao will activate and stimulate your baby. This is similar to the effect of caffeine. It is however safe to drink cacao while pregnant.
If you are on a high doses of anti depressives, or using MAOI based and SSRI type anti-depressants, be cautious. The tyramine and tryptophan that is in cacao, can counteract the medicine, especially in a larger dose. Consult your doctor if you want to drink higher doses of cacao. If you have heart problems, also be careful. Just a couple of tiny sips at most. Because cacao will stimulate the blood flow and increase your heart rate.
Cacao can be fatal to dogs, horses and parrots, so be sure to keep it away from pets.

Please note that I am not a doctor, and that I can therefore not give any medical advice. When in doubt, always consult your doctor and/or pharmacist in regards to drinking ceremonial cacao.