Cacao

In January 2022 I travelled to Nicaragua, and I stayed on a very small island of two volcanos, where time seemed to stand still, and technology didn’t bother to travel this far. After few days, I found there was not much to do. The only entertainment was a cacao tour on a local plantation. I was a bit sceptical about it, thinking: what they could teach me about chocolate that I didn’t know already? Me! The chocolate lover!

I signed up for the tour just to discover I knew nothing. Not only I learned about the amazing health and spiritual benefits of cacao, but also, I understood the whole process of chocolate making from the growing of the beans, all the way to becoming a chocolate bar. Not to mention all the beautiful, and fascinating stories about its origins in Mayan culture, and of course dirty secrets of the chocolate industry. It was the most eye opening, inspirational, and mind-blowing tour I ever attended. I felt that my whole trip to Central America was just for that – to come to this tour and learn about cacao. Now I could return home.

Inspired by cacao’s amazing properties, I instantly felt in love with it. I just knew it would be a beautiful compliment to the other therapies that I do.

I learned how to facilitate cacao ceremonies, and today I offer ceremonial cacao drinking together with sound healing/sound massage, and shamanic meditations. Either individually or in group sessions.

Ceremonial Cacao

Ceremonial Cacao is not the same as store bought cacao, or chocolate. It is the highest quality of cacao made from a very special bean that makes up less than 5% of the world’s cacao production. This very rare and highly prized criollo bean is the same bean that the Ancients used in their ceremonies.

To maximise its health benefits, it is produced with very minimal processing: roasted at low temperatures, cracked, and peeled by hand, stone grounded, never tempered.

In addition to being minimally processed, it is also organic to make sure there are no heavy metals, pesticides, and chemicals.

Then there’s the love factor and loving intention. The energy, wisdom and intention of the farmers as well as the shared vision and conscious connection of all hands in the supply chain. Everybody involved is treated with love and compassion.

Health Benefits

- Rich in antioxidants (more than blueberries) that are highly bioavailable

- Highest plant-based source of iron

- More calcium than cow’s milk

- More Vitamin D than cow's milk

- Fiber and Protein

- Flavonoids – lower blood pressure

- Vasodilation, increasing blood flow to the brain, body and digestive system by up to 40%

- Natural mood elevator and anti-depressant. serotonin, tryptophan, tyrosine and phenylethylamine. These neurotransmitters are associated with cosy feelings of wellbeing, happiness, and can even alleviate depression

- Polyphenols – reduces inflammation, improves blood flow to brain and brain functions

- Richest source of theobromine (food of the gods) – similar to caffeine, not as strong but it lasts longer. Theobromine attains peak blood concentrations 2–3 hours after ingestion, and has an estimated half-life of 7 –12 hours. Unlike coffee it doesn’t generate the uncomfortable side effects often associated with caffeine. As a stimulant, theobromine offers a more consistent ride without the jitters and crash.

- Tryptophan (our precursor to serotonin) and phenylethylamine (PEA), which can release endorphins, our feel-good, happy hormones! PEA It’s been called the “love drug” because it mimics the brain chemistry of being in love. It is a mild stimulant, chemically similar to amphetamine, which is naturally produced in our bodies. It stimulates the central nervous system to release norepinephrine and dopamine, similar to what happens during an orgasm. Our bodies produce especially high amounts of PEA during the infatuation state of a romantic relationship

Unfortunately heat and chemical processing, as well as adding sugar and milk to the cacao, reduces its health benefits by even 90%

Spiritual Benefits

- Heart opening, great for inner work and releasing emotional blockages

- Increases feeling of connection to greater consciousness, higher self, and your intuition

- Female/male energy balances within

- Enhances creative energy

- Deepening of spiritual and creative practices such as yoga, meditation, shamanic journeying, writing, dance, music, healing modalities, lucid dreaming, kirtan, etc

- Feel oneness, blissful feeling

Cacao ceremony is a gentle power that can last for days. And unlike other ceremonies, you don’t go on a trip, but rather it shows you the way, instead of pushing you into an experience. You don’t loose awareness, consciousness, you don’t forget who you are, and where you are, you don’t loose sense of self. Cacao guides you in a very gentle, peaceful and loving way. It helps you release gently what is not serving you. It is a perfect geteaway medicine, especially for those who are scared, or not ready to try harder plants, like ayahuasca.