Raw Organic Cocoa Beans 1 kg

• 100% organic & fair-trade criollo cocoa beans from Peru
• Scientific name: Theobroma cacao
• Common names: cocoa, cacao tree, cocoa tree
• English names: cacoa , cacoa tree
• Botanical classification: Sterculiaceae family ( Sterculiaceae )
• Forms and preparations: cocoa powder, chocolate, capsules, infusions, cocoa butter

Medicinal properties of cocoa

• INTERNAL USE

Psychostimulant and tonic effects: thanks to its theobromine content, cocoa is a natural antidepressant. A source of magnesium, it is also a very good anti-stress and a recognised anti-fatigue agent.

Antioxidant effects: rich in flavonoids, cocoa prevents cellular ageing. It contributes to the fight against inflammatory diseases and treats disorders of immune function.

Vasodilatory effects: raw cocoa promotes cerebral blood flow, protects the cardiovascular system and reduces high blood pressure.

Lipolytic effects: raw cocoa helps burn fat and contributes to weight loss.

• EXTERNAL USE

Nourishing: cocoa butter rehydrates dry lips and the whole skin.

• USUAL THERAPEUTIC INDICATIONS

Stress, fatigue and mild depression; protection of the cardiovascular system and prevention of cardiovascular diseases (such as myocardial infarction); high blood pressure; cellular ageing; weight loss.

• OTHER DEMONSTRATED THERAPEUTIC INDICATIONS

Rehydration of the skin.

Botanical description of cocoa

Native to Mexico and domesticated more than 3,000 years ago, the cacao tree is an evergreen tree measuring between 10 and 15 m tall in the wild. Only a tiny proportion of its flowers, which appear all year round, produce fruit. These are called “pods” and are elongated berries measuring between 15 and 20 cm. It is in these fruits that many seeds arranged in a spike are found: the beans. After roasting, these are used to make chocolate and cocoa.

Composition of cocoa

• PARTS USED

The cocoa bean, roasted or not, is used in herbal medicine.

• ACTIVE PRINCIPLES

Flavonoids, theobromine, mucilage (for unroasted beans), alkaloids.

Use and dosage of cocoa

• DOSAGES

For medicinal use, it is preferable to use raw cocoa, for example in beans: take 2 beans at breakfast and at lunch.

As an infusion: leave the contents of 4 raw cocoa beans to infuse in 300 ml of boiling water for ten minutes.

In roasted form: consume 2 or 3 beans every day.

Precautions for use of cocoa

For homemade preparations, perfect hygiene is essential.

• CONTRAINDICATIONS

No known contraindications.

• SIDE EFFECTS

Excessive consumption of chocolate can cause gastrointestinal disorders, migraines and weight gain.

• INTERACTIONS WITH MEDICINAL PLANTS OR SUPPLEMENTS

No known interaction.

• INTERACTIONS WITH MEDICINES

No known interaction.