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Recipes with Chocolate (Cacao): Xocolatl - Spicy Aztec Hot Chocolate
Sensual and luxurious, chocolate is evocative of desire and indulgence. It warms the heart and abdomen while elevating mood and lifting depression. Chocolate is an aphrodisiac, especially for women for whom chocolate may be addictive. The caffeine in chocolate stimulates brain activity and elevates the mood. Cinnamon or cayenne in hot chocolate enhances these passionate and stimulating qualities.
Medicinal Benefits
Chocolate's role in fertility extends beyond passion to the traditional use of cacao in pregnancy and to ease childbirth. Chocolate's warms and wakes up the reproductive organs - relaxing pelvic muscles during labor while simultaneously shifting a mother's awareness to the muscles of the pelvic floor. The shift in awareness helps her find and engage the muscles to deliver the fetus. Vasodilation of pelvic muscles also helps reduce preclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy).
Chocolate reduces chest congestion by improving circulation in major vessels around the heart and by relaxing bronchial spasms, which is also useful in asthma. In one study chocolate was found to be 3x more effective than codeine at reducing cough, without the drowsy side effects. The antitussive quality is due to theobromine, which suppresses the vagus nerve. Meso-Americans also used chocolate to treat fever.
Contraindications & Limits
Ayurvedically, chocolate aggravates Pitta and Vata primarily. Chocolate is also difficult to digest. Over consumption can leave you feeling nauseous. Its hot quality could leave a mild stinging sensation in the eyes about 15 minutes after eating - an early warning sign of high Pitta.
Chocolate has a reputation for breaking the will of dieters. In one study, chocolate derailed the discipline regimens of 48% of women and 32% of men. With chocolate, a little goes a long way. We recommend a maximum of two squares daily.
Although chocolate has many health benefits, the fats and sugars mixed into chocolate can aggravate Kapha heaviness & mucus congestion. Here are some more supportive ways of preparing chocolate: Try dark chocolate sprinkled with Red Chili, or candied Ginger coated in dark chocolate. Ginger and Red Chili help kindle your metabolic fire (agni) so that you digest the chocolate better.
Recipes with Chocolate (Cacao): Black Bean Chocolate Smoothie
Chocolate & Loneliness
Chocolate cravings come more intensely in times of loneliness. Add rose to your chocolate which will nourish the heart, leaving you feeling much more satisfied than plain chocolate. Dark chocolate covered almonds with sea salt and protein helps prevent a sugar spike from eating chocolate alone. Salt adds a stimulating taste that helps balance the sweet.
Chocolate is high in magnesium, anti-oxidants and flavonoids. It also contains tryptophan (a serotonin percursor), theobromine (a substance similar to caffeine) and trace amounts of amandamides (which activates the same receptor in the brain as marijuana). All of these factors combine into an alluring substance that is sensual, comforting, rich, and decadent. And, perhaps a little mind altering.
About Chocolate (Cacao)
Romance may be sealed with a box of chocolates, but passion for chocolate is as eternal as true love. Long before John Cadbury invented the chocolate bar, native meso-american peoples brewed chocolate with medicinal herbs. Chocolate has been used as sacrament and in shamanic ceremony, a practice that continues to this day, for over three millennia. The botanical name of chocolate, 'Theobroma', means "Food of the Gods", a testimony that your affection for chocolate may be as deep as your soul.
Buying & Preparation
On the grocery shelf, chocolate is usually mixed with refined sugars, dairy and fats. Choose dark chocolate with at least 70 per cent cocoa because it has minimal sugar and fat.
Chocolate seeds contain a bitter alkaloid that must be fermented to develop the flavor. After fermentation the beans are dried, cleaned, roasted, and then shelled to reveal the cacao nibs. Since chocolate is more a medicinal herb than a food, the best way to consume chocolate is in small doses.
Cooking Chocolate (Cacao)
The creamy texture of melted chocolate is a delight for all ages. Whether baked into brownies, chocolate chip cookies, cakes & cupcakes, melted into syrups, fudge, puddings & mousses, candied into truffles and chocolate bars, or served as ice-cream or hot-chocolate, chocolate is a versatile treat and popular food in celebrations and displays of affection.
Melted chocolate can be hardened with nuts & pistachios for texture. Strawberries dipped in chocolate offer a sensual treat, but are a difficult to digest food combination. Instead, dry dipping dried fruits and crystallized ginger into chocolates.
Or, mix cacao with tahini and honey for a luxurious treat. Chocolate, sesame seeds, nuts, cayenne and other spices form the popular Mexican sauce 'mole pablano'.
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AYURVEDA'S GUIDE TO VITALITY & WHOLESOME NOURISHMENT
Your Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body and your specific imbalances.
With an Ayurvedic diet you feel joy and satisfaction because what you are eating truly nourishes and balances you.
Disease results from diets and lifestyles that are incompatible with your nature.
By eating a personalized diet matched to your body, you experience optimal health.
See How it Works.
Health Virtues of Chocolate (Cacao)
Personalized medicine systems use biocharacteristics to classify the metabolic nature of food, hebs, lifestyle choices, indivdual constitutions, and disease.
METABOLIC NATURE / BIOCHARACTERISTICS
Metabolic Nature / Biocharacteristics
Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics
(vital qualtiies).
Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance.
By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick.
Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold).
You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.
Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food.
Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body.
Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food.
Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods.
Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion.
Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste.
One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes.
The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent.
Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?
Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.
Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.
Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.
Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.
The 3 metabolic body types
(doshas),
are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).
Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.
Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.
Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia.
They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature.
Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.
A Phlegmatic has a cold and wet metabolic nature. The coldness implies a slow metabolism, the moisture that you are well-nourished. Phlegmatics tend towards sluggishness and thickened fluids, including mucus.
Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.
Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.
A hot and oily nature with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body makes Sanguine individuals vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.
Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Chocolate (Cacao)
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary.
The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.
STRONG ANTIOXIDANT
An antioxidant is a molecule that inhibits oxidation. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals that lead to a chain reaction causing damage or death to cells. Antioxidants terminate these oxidation reactions.
Herbs that increase sexual arousal through various actions including increased circulation, relaxation, stimulation, or tonics that strengthen glandular health.
STRONG FLAVONOIDS
Flavonoids are a colorful type of polyphenol. As all polyphenols, they have a strong antioxidant effect. Many flavonoids have an anti-inflammatory, and/or antiallergen effect.
The reports shared below are part of an educational assignment completed by students at
the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda.
These represent subjective experiences intended to help students explore principles of Ayurveda through personal observation.
In each report below, students ate the selected food for 3 days and self-reported these effects.
See other food & herb reports at Joyful Belly.
TEMPERATURE/CIRCULATION
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your temperature?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
0
9
17
1
Much colder
Slightly colder
Same
Slightly warmer
Much warmer
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your ear temperature?
20
16
12
8
4
0
9
18
0
Hotter
No Change
Cooler
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your sweat quantity?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
1
19
6
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect the color of your skin?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
1
7
0
19
Yellower/Greener
Paler
Redder
Grayer
No Change
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect the color of your tongue body?
15
12
9
6
3
0
4
11
0
12
Paler
Redder
Bluer
No Change
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect the swelling of your tongue body?
23
19
15
11
7
3
4
5
18
More Swelling
Less Swelling
No Change
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your appetite/hunger?
15
12
9
6
3
0
4
10
6
7
0
Much less hungry
Slightly less hungry
Same
Slightly hungrier
Much hungrier
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your digestion speed?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
16
6
5
0
Much faster
Slightly faster
Same
Slightly slower
Much slower
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
TOXINS
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect the amount of gas & bloating?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
5
16
5
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your stool smell?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
1
21
4
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
Tongue: How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect the thickness & size of your tongue coating?
15
12
9
6
3
0
0
6
13
6
2
Much smaller
Slightly less
Same
Slightly larger coating
Much larger
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect the color of your tongue coating?
20
16
12
8
4
0
1
16
1
2
7
Yellower
Browner
Grayer
Whiter
No Change
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your throat soreness?
26
21
16
11
6
1
2
22
3
More sore
No Change
Less sore
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your urine smell?
30
24
18
12
6
0
0
1
24
2
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect the amount of bubbles in your urine?
30
24
18
12
6
0
1
1
24
1
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Many more
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your sweat smell?
30
24
18
12
6
0
0
0
24
2
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your acne?
30
24
18
12
6
0
3
24
0
More acne
No Change
Less acne
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your freckles/moles?
30
24
18
12
6
0
0
27
0
Darker
No Change
Lighter
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect the color of your sclera (white part of eye)?
25
20
15
10
5
0
2
0
0
0
3
Redder/Bloodshot
Yellower
Grayer
Browner
Whiter
22
No Change
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect the color of the lower eye lid?
30
24
18
12
6
0
0
0
26
1
More green/dark green
More purple
No Change
Less green/purple
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
HYDRATION
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your urine frequency/quantity?
20
16
12
8
4
0
1
3
18
5
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect the dryness of your skin?
17
14
11
8
5
2
9
3
15
Drier
Oilier
No Change
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect the puffiness of lower eye lid?
25
20
15
10
5
0
1
20
6
Puffier
No Change
Less Puffy
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect the cracks on your tongue?
20
16
12
8
4
0
1
4
16
6
0
Larger/longer/more cracks
Slightly more
Same
Slightly less/smaller/shorter
Much less
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
FLUID-THICKNESS
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your ear pressure?
26
21
16
11
6
1
4
21
2
More pressure
No Change
Less pressure
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your congestion?
18
15
12
9
6
3
4
16
7
More congestion
No Change
Less congestion
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect the thickness of your mucous congestion?
19
16
13
10
7
4
5
14
8
More thick
No Change
Less thick
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
NERVOUS-SYSTEM
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your energy levels?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
1
3
22
1
Much less energy
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more energy
Much more
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your muscle tension?
15
12
9
6
3
0
0
8
10
7
2
Much less tension
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more tension
Much more
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your anxiety?
10
8
6
4
2
0
0
7
9
9
2
Much less anxiety
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more anxiety
Much more
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect the stillness of your tongue?
17
14
11
8
5
2
3
15
9
More still
No Change
More Trembling / Jittery
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
DIGESTION
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your digestion speed?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
16
6
5
0
Much faster
Slightly faster
Same
Slightly slower
Much slower
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect the amount of gas & bloating?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
5
16
5
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect burning sensations in digestive tract (do not include acid reflux)?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
3
17
7
0
Much relief
Slight relief
Same
Slightly more burning
Much more burning
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your appetite/hunger?
15
12
9
6
3
0
4
10
6
7
0
Much less hungry
Slightly less hungry
Same
Slightly hungrier
Much hungrier
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
TONGUE
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect the color of your tongue body?
15
12
9
6
3
0
4
11
0
12
Paler
Redder
Bluer
No Change
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect the stillness of your tongue?
17
14
11
8
5
2
3
15
9
More still
No Change
More Trembling / Jittery
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect the color of your tongue coating?
20
16
12
8
4
0
1
16
1
2
7
Yellower
Browner
Grayer
Whiter
No Change
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect the cracks on your tongue?
20
16
12
8
4
0
1
4
16
6
0
Larger/longer/more cracks
Slightly more
Same
Slightly less/smaller/shorter
Much less
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
Tongue: How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect the thickness & size of your tongue coating?
15
12
9
6
3
0
0
6
13
6
2
Much smaller
Slightly less
Same
Slightly larger coating
Much larger
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect the swelling of your tongue body?
23
19
15
11
7
3
4
5
18
More Swelling
Less Swelling
No Change
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
STOOL
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your stool lightness?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
2
17
8
0
Much lighter
Slightly lighter
Same
Slightly darker
Much darker
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your stool smell?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
1
21
4
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your stool consistency?
15
12
9
6
3
0
0
9
11
6
1
Much softer
Slightly softer
Same
Slightly harder
Much harder
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your stool frequency/quantity?
20
16
12
8
4
0
1
3
15
7
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your stool color?
30
24
18
12
6
0
0
1
0
2
24
More yellow
More gray
More green
More orange
Same
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
URINE
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your urine clarity?
22
18
14
10
6
2
3
19
5
More cloudy
Same
More clear
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your urine smell?
30
24
18
12
6
0
0
1
24
2
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your urine lightness?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
2
21
4
0
Much lighter
Slightly lighter
Same
Slightly Darker
Much Darker
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your urine frequency/quantity?
20
16
12
8
4
0
1
3
18
5
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect the amount of bubbles in your urine?
30
24
18
12
6
0
1
1
24
1
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Many more
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
SWEAT
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your sweat quantity?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
1
19
6
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your sweat smell?
30
24
18
12
6
0
0
0
24
2
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
SKIN
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect the dryness of your skin?
17
14
11
8
5
2
9
3
15
Drier
Oilier
No Change
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect the color of your skin?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
1
7
0
19
Yellower/Greener
Paler
Redder
Grayer
No Change
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your freckles/moles?
30
24
18
12
6
0
0
27
0
Darker
No Change
Lighter
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your acne?
30
24
18
12
6
0
3
24
0
More acne
No Change
Less acne
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
EYE
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect the color of the lower eye lid?
30
24
18
12
6
0
0
0
26
1
More green/dark green
More purple
No Change
Less green/purple
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect the puffiness of lower eye lid?
25
20
15
10
5
0
1
20
6
Puffier
No Change
Less Puffy
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect the color of your sclera (white part of eye)?
25
20
15
10
5
0
2
0
0
0
3
Redder/Bloodshot
Yellower
Grayer
Browner
Whiter
22
No Change
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
ENT
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your congestion?
18
15
12
9
6
3
4
16
7
More congestion
No Change
Less congestion
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your ear pressure?
26
21
16
11
6
1
4
21
2
More pressure
No Change
Less pressure
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your throat soreness?
26
21
16
11
6
1
2
22
3
More sore
No Change
Less sore
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect the thickness of your mucous congestion?
19
16
13
10
7
4
5
14
8
More thick
No Change
Less thick
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your ear temperature?
20
16
12
8
4
0
9
18
0
Hotter
No Change
Cooler
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
HEART
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your heart pain/pressure/cramping?
30
24
18
12
6
0
0
2
23
1
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your heart rate?
15
12
9
6
3
0
0
2
11
13
1
Much slower
Slightly slower
Same
Slightly faster
Much faster
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your heart rhythm?
25
20
15
10
5
0
7
20
0
More palpitations
Same
Less palpitations
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
SYSTEMIC
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your energy levels?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
1
3
22
1
Much less energy
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more energy
Much more
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your muscle tension?
15
12
9
6
3
0
0
8
10
7
2
Much less tension
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more tension
Much more
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your anxiety?
10
8
6
4
2
0
0
7
9
9
2
Much less anxiety
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more anxiety
Much more
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
How did Chocolate (Cacao) affect your temperature?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
0
9
17
1
Much colder
Slightly colder
Same
Slightly warmer
Much warmer
Total Responses: 27 REPORT ID:80 (2021-12-04 - 2021-12-13)
Note: These exercises are not part of an FDA-regulated study,
and were not designed or conducted under a clinical research protocol.
They are neither investigational in nature nor scientific findings.
They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
They are experiential assignments rooted in traditional Ayurvedic education, intended solely for instructional use.
No conclusions should be drawn regarding the therapeutic effects of any food, herb, or dietary substance based on these student reflections.
Chocolate (Cacao) may temper these symptoms.
The suitability of any food for a condition is highly dependent on the individual.
Please see your doctor before using this food to treat a medical condition.
We will use this information to better predict food that helps you.
CONTRAINDICATED FOR THESE SYMPTOMS
Chocolate (Cacao) may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms.
Note this is not a complete list of all possible contraindications.
Please see your doctor before using this food to treat a medical condition.
Herb Drug Interaction Risk
Here are some potential herb drug interactions with Chocolate (Cacao). Please see your health care provider for more information.
Antitussive: Many anti-tussives are sedatives - so caution when combining with other sedatives, stimulants, or antihistamines.
Blood-thinner: Patients on warfarin (coumadin) and other anticoagulants, or who have clotting difficulties, should take special caution to only use blood thinners under the supervision of a medical doctor.
Muscle-relaxant: Do not combine muscle relaxants with antihistamines.
View other ingredients for Autumn-Winter
Chocolate (Cacao) is recommended for Autumn-Winter. Check out these other Autumn-Winter foods here.
Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. Food digests with ease when
right for your body type (dosha). Healthy digestion is seen as the cornerstone of well-being in
Ayurveda. Healthy digestion generally prevents illness. If you do get sick, a strong digestive fire
reduces the severity of illness and increases your resilience. It also improves your mood. Once
you begin eating Ayurvedically, you will feel refreshed, vital and strong.
John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a
healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda.
His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful.
John also directs the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda,
offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.
John's hobbies & specialties include advanced digestive disorders, medieval Catholic philosophy,
& botany. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.
John, his wife Natalie and their 7 kids live in Asheville, NC
“Only the milk and sugar in chocolate aggravates Kapha. Pure, dark chocolate aggravates Pitta because it is heating and aggravates Vata because it is difficult to digest."
“I am happy to read this. I allow myself 1 square of good 70% chocolate after dinner. It is all I need to satisfy the craving. Now I a can enjoy it without guilt!
"
“What is a good way for vata people to take some chocolate? I know they crave the fat and sweetness, but the cacao is bitter.How do they cope with the cravings if there is no healthy way for them to take it?"
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* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
The information and products on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any
disease.
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