Cacao:
Cacao is food for the body, mind, spirit, and the heart.
Health Benefits
Cacao is widely known for its health benefits ~ not only can it naturally elevate your mood & bring feelings of peace and inner connection, but it nourishes the body and helps to fortify the immune system. It is one of the most powerful known sources of antioxidants and contains magnesium, calcium, iron, potassium, and phosphorous. Cacao also contains a flavanol called epicatechin which may help your brain health in regards to cognition and blood flow.
Cacao contains a chemical called theobromine (similar to caffeine). Theobromine provides a calm and steady lift of energy that will sustain throughout the day. It also helps to oxygenate the brain, improving focus and mental clarity.
Mental Benefits
Mental well-being is so important to our overall health and enjoyment of life. Our body and mind are so powerfully connected, and you may see improvement in one area as you care for the other. Cacao contains some natural elements that support our mental wellness. Some of these elements include:
-Tryptophan (helps with serotonin synthesis)
-Tyramine and Phenylethylamine (support dopamine regulation)
-Anandamide (aka “the bliss molecule”)
Is Cacao the same as Cocoa?
When we experience Cacao in ceremony, it’s typically served as a hot drink made from the roasted beans of the Cacao fruit. These beans naturally contain Cacao butter, a healthy fat that helps us to properly absorb the plant’s nutrients.
Cocoa powder is created by removing the Cacao butter from Cacao. Often, the cocoa powder is then combined with cheaper vegetable fats and added sugars to create many of the big-brand chocolate candies.
What makes Cacao “Ceremonial-grade”?
To be considered ceremonial grade, some important criteria must be met. The Cacao must be cultivated sustainably, using regenerative farming practices. The business practice must be pure of heart, ensuring fair exchange for all involved in the process. It must be grown and shared with the intention for it to be used in ceremony.
The spirit of the plant and the cultures that have a history with it must be respected as we connect with it in ceremony.
Where to get Ceremonial Cacao?
There are a handful of amazing small-businesses that work to consciously share ceremonial cacao that follows these ceremonial-grade guidelines. Currently my go-to brand is Cacao Laboratory. Visit Their Site
Cacao Ceremony:
Cacao Ceremonies have taken place for thousands of years and have originated within what is now Central and South America. The plant was first discovered at least 5000 years ago and was considered sacred within Mayan culture. Cacao can bring creativity and feelings of warmth, love, kindness, and mother-earth connection.
Honoring the Origins:
As we consciously share in modern Cacao Ceremony, it is so important and helpful to learn about the history of Cacao. As we open our hearts to Cacao, may we send gratitude to the indigenous groups who’ve so tenderly cared for this plant and have cultivated this human-cacao connection long before us. The following video created and shared by Cacao Laboratory can help to illuminate some of this beautiful origin story.
May the spirit of Cacao dance into your heart. May it help you return home to the Love you have within.
As we dance through this life, it's important to remember that plants, herbs, ceremonies, courses, teachers, relationships, etc. are all here to help us to learn and to grow. However, this inner-growth is truly up to us as individuals. There is no quick-fix for emotional well-being, and inner-peace cannot be bought or sold. There is a freedom in knowing that it is truly our responsibility to ourselves to do the heart-work it takes to bring ourselves into balance time and time again. No one and no thing can do this for us, but there are certainly external things that can remind us how to return to Love within and there are things that may help us find equilibrium within our body and mind so that we may have a better footing as we do our inner-work.
Remember: everything you need is already within you, and you are already all that you need to be! :) <3
The Spirit of Cacao and the physical manifestation of it are a beautiful example of this. May our connections to this sacred plant help us to remember, nurture, celebrate, and express the Love we have within.
With Love,
Natalie
Sources:
https://cacaolaboratory.com/pages/health-benefits-of-ceremonial-cacao
https://www.creativenaturesuperfoods.co.uk/blog/cacao-vs-cocoa-whats-the-difference/
https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-cacao