Jennifer Aniston And Gwyneth Paltrow Swear by it, Oprah Winfrey has mentioned it in interviews, and entrepreneur Tim Ferriss wrote about its benefits in his book: Tools of Titans. Suffice to say, cacao – a previously niche superfood and sacred medicinal beverage – is enjoying its five minutes of fame. Cacao has been popping up at wellness festivals and yoga studios in recent years and is used in rituals designed to help participants feel grounded and present. Now, with a little basic knowledge, you can reap the benefits at home.
Medical herbalist and owner of the Cacao Club, Jordan Cohayney, links the popularity of cacao to the growing interest in the potential of plant medicines and psychedelics for self-discovery. But some of those options – magic mushrooms or ayahuasca, for example – are intense and not suitable for superficial experimentation. Enter: cocoa. “Cocoa is legal and it allows us to do that work in a much more accessible way, where you don’t have to go into the jungle to do something illegal or something that some people consider very risky,” says Cohayney.
What is cocoa?
Cocoa is the raw, unprocessed form of the cocoa bean, native to Central and South America. It is the main ingredient in chocolate, but unlike processed cocoa, cocoa retains all its natural nutrients such as magnesium, phenylethylamine (PEA) – also known as the “love substance” – and antioxidants.
According to Dia Davila Boschetti of CacaoAmor, it can be consumed by almost anyone, from toddlers to the elderly, at any time of the day (although those taking SSRI antidepressants should avoid it). “Cacao has had a close relationship with people for 5,000 years,” says Boschetti. “We can connect with our hearts and be in our bodies while using cacao as a plant medicine. It brings us more into ourselves, not outside of ourselves.”
The (very) bitter taste is still reminiscent of chocolate, says Cohayney. “I think the luxurious taste of something familiar acts as a kind of doorway for people to come in and not be so scared,” she explains, adding that drinking cacao can make mindfulness more appealing to people who struggle with meditate.
How and when to use cocoa?
All you need to do is heat it slowly on the stove – never above 60°C – with filtered water or alternative milk. Boschetti advises to just take it as is – unless, like me, you can’t stand the bitterness, in which case you can add honey to taste.
The Cacao Club offers different cocoa and spice blends so you can reach different states. “Cacao is a synergist, meaning whatever you mix with it amplifies it,” says Cohayney. “It’s a vasodilator, so it opens up the blood vessels, and anything you add to it can move through your body and be absorbed in a much more powerful way.”
Personally, I use rosemary, sage and brami to enhance cocoa’s potential as a stimulant and coffee alternative. “You feel a burst of creativity. Everything that needs to be done is aligned and you get the inspiration and energy to keep going,” Cohayney explains about this mix. If you want to open up emotionally and connect with others, you can add rose and some chili. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a good night’s sleep, you can throw in some lavender, chamomile, and ashwagandha.
How do you make the Cacao Club medicinal mushroom mix?
Makes 1 serving
Ingredients
- 30g cocoa
- ½ to 1 teaspoon powdered medicinal mushrooms (reishi or chaga work well)
- 1 to 2 drops of mint essential oil
- Honey or maple syrup (to taste)
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