Cacao As Plant Medicine

Cacao is a powerful superfood that has been used for centuries to support health and wellness. From its antioxidant properties to its mood-boosting benefits, consuming cacao can be beneficial for both physical and mental health.
In this Podcast you get to hear about Cacao, ceremonial cacao, what is the difference between cacao and cocoa, how to make a ceremonial cacao drink, advantages, what to expect, etc.

Transcript

Hi beautiful souls.

So today's topic on this podcast I would like to present you with cacao.

Cacao which is considered as a plant medicine and I have been on this journey since September last year 2021 and it has been an amazing journey and something like I would say my life has taken a huge deeper inner shift like reiki is my first awakening and now with mama cacao it has really been a good journey and I haven't stopped talking about it I have been spreading more of it and I thought like let me now share it on my podcast.

So cacao has been considered as a sacred plant but it wasn't until recently that we started to recognize its therapeutic benefits.

I have been connecting with a lot of people around the world with my work and when I talk about cacao many nationalities have considered saying that it has been a superfood when they were young.

They grew up with cacao plants in their backyards or consuming it as a normal drink in their part of everyday lives.

So it is really interesting how the modern way has brought in huge impact on to this part and so from its antioxidant properties to its mood boosting abilities cacao offers many helpful benefits and while its physical benefits are well known recent studies show that cacao can be used as a spiritual tool as well.

Something that as mentioned like you know I experienced first hand when I was discovering my own healing journey with cacao and you can see like you know it's a big boom happening so many ceremonies around so many people talking about it it has become one of the trends on tiktok as well right.

So yeah for me it came around I think 2015 or 2014.

A client of mine she used to do the raw chocolate and one time in a session her husband brought me those raw chocolates and they were so good and when I got to meet her she was talking about cacao and the benefits and how she was finding it to be highly good to her own soul.

So I tried cacao for the first time behind getting it from the local store.

To be honest I didn't like the taste it was too bitter or I didn't do it right ways as I do it now.

I didn't have much of the knowledge about it as well on the ceremonial dose or what best to utilize with it.

There was not much research available on internet back then.

So I tried to use up all that cacao that I brought through the baking and everything rather than directly consuming it.

But it was still knocking to me and this beautiful friend was still in touch and she would be nudging about it once in a while but it was in last year.

I said okay let's give it a try and so hearing about it so I got in touch with Keats cacao and I said okay let's give it a try and so I ordered it and I booked my astrology session with another friend who does ceremonial way as well.

So I said like let's invoke in a beautiful way of setting as it's my first one and give it a try.

So I tried to follow the recipe that mentioned on the Keats cacao and made it and got ready with my astrology reading and I have to say it was more deeper beautiful allowing my heart opening.

It's the first time that I actually understood the power of this amazing plant that I could anchor and feel it even though it's online but still like intentions drinking with intentions everything has been mind-blowing.

Since then I have been incorporating ceremonial cacao in my life almost daily experiencing the benefits everything from feeling more grounded to having breakthroughs in my healing channelings,

Art,

Writing,

The way I would present to my family,

The way I would be honoring the space with my clients as well like you know I noticed that I was having more energy,

Was sleeping better,

My dreams were intense.

So when I started I think I was doing it only like twice a week on Thursdays where my usual day would start at six o'clock connecting with Irish clients,

Doing some meditations and some days I wouldn't even finish up until like eight or nine in the evening.

I noticed that my energies were not spiking they were consistent.

I was more into that flow of it and there was a burst energy I could feel and coming into March of this year I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy a genetic heart condition and during this period I was consuming cacao and I think I increased my dose to three to four times a week and I noticed that it was giving me really the emotional support system because it was a shock for me to stay balanced and be calm when diagnosed with it and taking like around 15 medications with diuretics,

Flushing out,

Pumping out the water from my body and with all the potassium,

Magnesium in my body as well.

And so my blood reports were amazed by doctors as well as I was not having kidney issues or low in potassium or magnesium which was surprising for them with such a heavy medication.

So I said okay this is what it's doing let's continue doing it because it has a deeper nutrients than any other foods that I have noticed having it.

And how it has helped me I started giving back as well started hosting the women's circles because I felt like you know when this can do such a beautiful deeper work of heart opening why not let's connect with other people around and start sharing this mama cacao.

And so started organizing these sacred moon circles on the full moon and the new moon every 15 days bringing in eight to nine women and we consume the ceremonial great cacao,

We journal,

We do meditations and it started forming to be a soul tribe which I absolutely love it because we are lost without having our soul tribes and when you meet your like-minded people you expand,

You grow,

You feel honored,

You feel anchored.

There are many more advantages you bring home because you are much in a kama space.

Your soul is being satisfied.

So I started combining art with cacao,

Akashic reading with cacao,

Reiki with cacao.

Like when I believe something I go full on into it just like reiki because I know there is so much potential and you don't need a proof and it's working for you.

You don't need to justify to anyone.

It's just a deep flow of the soulful activities like my inner creative,

My inner wisdom or the peace was just going on a high rate.

So I started also introducing to my family members as I'm skeptic.

I started noticing like differences on the day they would consume especially my husband,

My children.

They still haven't adapted to the cacao but they love the protein balls that I make out of cacao that makes them like more energized,

More focused as well.

So it's so much that you can observe on the days that you take with the plant medicines and how it's spinning up in our soul as well.

So this process allowed me to open up my home space for all kinds of workshop ceremonies and also like in of journaling activities and there is so much that women have found as well as the confidence,

The comfort in our thoughts able to share,

Open up our throat center,

Open up our heart center as well.

So a little bit more deeper on what exactly is cacao and the benefits out of it as well is cacao is the raw unprocessed form of chocolate.

It is made from the seeds of the cacao tree called the Theobroma cacao which grow in pods on the trunk and branches of the tree.

The seeds are fermented,

Dried,

Roasted to create cacao beans which are ground to produce cocoa powder and chocolate.

The ones that I got is Keith's cacao which is hand-baked,

Hand-roasted and not being used under any machineries or heavy heating process as well and I noticed there is this beautiful energy flowing from Keith and Barbara into these breaks that we consume as well.

I have tried multiple of them and I noticed in some the caffeine content was higher.

I was feeling jittery but with this one I felt more stable,

More in connection into the heart center.

But again everyone meets cacao at a different space so maybe we need some other ways of it.

Maybe we need Keith's cacao.

It doesn't really define what is right or wrong.

Each of us are so different but one thing I would highly recommend is give it a try and see where you meet it as well.

Cacao is known for its rich chocolatey flavor and often used in chocolate-based foods and beverages such as chocolate bars,

Cakes,

Cookies and hot cocoa.

It is also used in some non-food products as well with the skincare and the beauty products.

If you love chocolate smell like you know the cocoa creams are great for that.

So cacao is high in antioxidants,

Magnesium and other nutrients that have been linked to various health benefits,

Improving the heart health,

Brain function,

The mood.

However it is also essential to remember that many chocolate products contain added sugar,

Fat and other ingredients which can negate some of the potential health benefits of cacao.

To get the most benefits from cacao choose high quality minimally processed chocolate product which is definitely recommended.

Yeah so do check like if you are going to try a block of cacao like you know check the ingredients,

Check the source,

Where it is coming from.

Know a little more about like the background of it so you know what is it ethically sourced as well because everything is energy.

What we are consuming is energy.

Some of the benefits of consuming cacao are like you know as it's a superfood which has been used for centuries to support health and wellness from its antioxidant products to mood boosting benefits.

Consuming cacao can be beneficial for both physical and mental health.

Like you know it has also been recognized by the sports athletes as well the energy they're having after consuming cacao as well.

The heart health like you know some research suggests that consuming cacao or chocolate may help improve blood pressure,

Cholesterol levels and other factors that can contribute to the heart health.

In my own thing with the cardiomyopathy as well definitely I'm noticing the way I'm reacting to things is much calmer than panicky state.

The brain function,

Cacao is a source of flavonoids and antioxidants that may help improve blood flow to the brain and support cognitive function.

Cacao contains many minerals,

Vitamins that can offer protection against damage caused by free radicals and help reduce inflammation while its high level of magnesium may have been known to ease stress and anxiety.

The other thing as well is the brain fog,

Majority of us are being impacted by the brain fog which I have noticed since consuming cacao it's much in better place like you know because the clarity is coming I'm able to focus,

I'm able to be more productive as well.

The mode theobromine,

One of the cacao's key components help to boost energy levels,

Enhance focus and even improve overall cognitive function.

The weight management,

The polyphenols found in cacao can also help in promote healthy cholesterol levels as well as improve the digestive health.

Some studies have found that cacao intake may help with weight management by reducing appetite and increasing feeling of fullness.

It is also the diuretic as well so watch out like you know as you're consuming cacao you might be flushing out more toxins as well.

Definitely I don't feel hungry on the days I consume cacao and also I don't have the sugar cravings as well on the days I consume cacao so which I have noticed myself.

Just in case some might have like you know tummy fullness I had it up for a few weeks.

It is like you know it also matters like you know what emotions are we processing,

What emotions are we ready to release that also plays an impact of it.

The skin health,

Cacao and cocoa based products may help the skin protective properties which will be helpful in reducing skin sensitivity to the sun as well so do check your cosmetics as well.

For me the most important thing is the spiritual benefits of the cacao as it's a heart and openner,

A clear mind connecting to people with their higher selves and with others so you are getting the best out of your soul growth as well like you know if you recognize your life purpose or you recognize your project what is going to be fulfilling so here is you give your 100% towards it.

You're not in a lack but you're working yourself from the full on of it so you increase your openness and vulnerability.

Some people report that consuming cacao helps them feel more open vulnerable which can facilitate deeper connection and intimacy with others.

You show more empathy because you're connected to yourself.

It also helps in enhanced mindfulness and presence.

You are more staying present,

Aware of this very present moment with the people and you become a better listener.

Greater connection to the natural world.

Cacao is a plant-based food that is often consumed in a way that honors and respects the cacao plant and its role in spiritual practices.

Increased creativity and inspiration.

Some people report that consuming cacao helps them to tap into creativity and find new sources of inspiration.

Definitely mine has been a total game changer as art is my favorite hobby and my art has gone into source creation,

Channeling and I now download source codes,

Light codes and it has been a total shift like what art has been coming up now yeah and I have been speaking through the women's circles and the people who have been consuming and everyone has been reporting that since they have been on this journey they have been more in a flow state because it works also on your sacral chakra which is opening up and allowing your connection and it is important to think about like these spiritual benefits of cacao can vary widely from person to person and the effects of cacao may be influenced by factors such as individual beliefs,

Expectations and personal experiences and it's not a cure for all but should not be used as a substitute for medical or psychological treatment and definitely I would suggest like you know if you're on SSIRs,

Antidepressants do watch out your intake because it could make an effect on it but if you're not on any medications great get going on it like again check in like you know take a small doses to build it up like again I'm not coming from a medical advice here so take what your body is allowing do your own research as well so since I was on my own medications in March I had to do my own research about it how safe is it consuming what are the side effects what is that I'm gaining out of it I had to really mark myself like you know so that's the best way to go and take in.

And here another word is the ceremonial cacao so here I want to a little bit more share about what does ceremonial cacao mean it's a type of again like you know consumed in more a ritual way it is made from the high quality raw minimally processed cacao beans and as generally consumed as a warm beverage it's often used in the spiritual or healing practices like combination with reiki meditation yoga energy work like you know and it is believed to have these ceremonial properties that can help open the heart clear the mind connect people with their higher selves and others and that's where you would notice when you type up ceremonial cacao like you know gatherings altar with cacao in the beautiful mugs like you know holding the space and it's all about anchoring setting an intention and consuming it when you do that you are allowing to notice what's happening with you but if it's like a starbucks you're on the go and consume it it might be working but you may not be recognizing it because you are not giving yourself the chance to check in with yourselves what am i getting benefit out of it today and ceremonial cacao is not the same as ordinary chocolate or it's made from the raw minimally processed beans so it is not like um you have a bar you keep eating and you want the benefits out of it it's um it's made with a lot of love purity the connection to the mother earth itself and giving back but one of the most common things that i constantly be asked about the cacao and the cocoa is um what is it are they really different or not yeah so cacao and cocoa are both made from the seeds of the cacao tree um theobroma but there are some important differences between the two like you know cacao again is unprocessed roasted to create the cocoa beans is the next process cacao is often the salt sold in the form of farm beans coco nibs which are smaller pieces of the cocoa beans cacao is known for its rich chocolatey flavor and then it can be made into different things whereas cocoa on the other hand is a processed form of the seed which are grounded to create the cocoa powder and chocolate cocoa is often sold in the form of powder chocolate bars and also some places it's been extracted the cocoa butter as well yeah so that's the other thing that you need to be aware and notice it in general cacao is considered to be the healthier form of chocolate as it's from the raw unprocessed and higher concentration of antioxidants many cocoa products on the other hand are made from the processed cocoa beans with the sugar and everything so do make your choices there the simple way to make a cacao drink i also have a video on that i'll be posting up down below so you can see how i make my cacao you take one cup of warm boiling warm water with 23 28 grams of which is a daily dose of cacao powder um some honey depending on your taste buds and a pinch of a cinnamon and cayenne pepper again like these spices you can ignore if you're allergic intolerant or you dislike them and i pour them into my Nutribullet and whisk it and consume because it gives you the smooth texture but you can also make a paste and then use some water to make it boiling as well over a saucepan that can also be done remember what you like the taste is where it comes from it's bitter so i highly suggest you to take some honey some people like it maple syrup some people like agave or coconut sugar as well again your preference is there so yeah whichever your way go for it um some people love to add these other spices of like you know turmeric it could be or um vanilla extract it could be or sometimes i do add some mushrooms which is reishi cordyceps uh lion's mane as well to bring it more enhanced version of it yeah so whatever you like um so try not to have um definitely don't add any diary milk but add if you like it like coconut milk or almond milk are great to add as well yeah so that is where this whole journey about the cacao has been a little bit more information about it and if you would like to order check out what are the other ones i highly recommend Keith's Cacao so if you're looking to order one and you want a discount code it's right below in the show notes and good luck with your first drink and if there is any ceremonies being held online or in person locally go watch out be participated and see for yourself what you will get out of it because i highly recommend to give it a try um and i bet you will enjoy that yeah so thank you so much for listening in and i hope you enjoyed it um so yeah watch out um for the events that are coming up in seattle if you're around and good luck with this journey thank you guys lots of love

Reviews

Thank you. I've been enjoying cacao for about a month now, after I (finally!) found a ceremony to join. It was such an enjoyable, uplifting experience. Greatly appreciate you taking the time to share all of this info. I'm hoping for some of the health benefits, but honestly, I'm just so thankful for the spiritual; calm and openness of which I now start each morning.

Inspiring talk about the benefits of consuming daily Cacao 👏🏻