CACAO

Cacao is a powerful plant medicine that has been used ceremonially for thousands of years across Central and South America. It's active ingredient - Theobromine, is translated as 'Food of the Gods', and the people of ancient Meso-America attributed a sacred status to Cacao and would drink it ceremonially to commune with their gods. The Maya believed that the ka'kau' was discovered by the gods in a mountain that also contained other delectable foods. According to Mayan Mythology Hunahpú gave Cacao to the Maya after humans were created from maize by the divine grandmother goddess Ixmucané. 

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The word Cacao originated from the Maya word Ka'kau', as well as the Maya words Chocol’ha, and the verb chokola'j " to drink chocolate together.  What we offer is a modern day Cacao ceremony to commune with our inner 'god/goddess.'

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We drink Cacao in ceremony to reconnect with our deep inner guidance. Using guided meditation we journey deep within to discover more about ourselves, release negative blockages and find peace and clarity. Cacao doesn’t take you out of your body, and is not psycho-active but some people can have clear visions. It all depends on an individuals extra sensory perception, and how cacao works best with you.

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A Cacao Ceremony gives us time for ourselves in a hectic and stressful world. It is the perfect space to switch off the outside chaos and journey into the silence, so that we can become clearer of who we are, where we are going, and the opportunities available to us.

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Whether you are looking for help shifting an emotional blockage, needing to let go of a past experience, dissolve negative energy, connect back into yourself & Mother Earth or you simply want to lift your spirits, these ceremonies can provide the focus you need to re-align with who you really are, and get back on track.

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Cacao has many amazing, life-affirming, qualities that support health and psychological well-being. Cacao is a heart-centered anchor,  so that wherever one is going it is with more love and less fear. Cacao is a powerful Plant Medicine that helps us to release emotional blockages that no longer serve us, find forgiveness in ourselves and others, and shows us the way forward if we are stuck or afraid of making the necessary life changes in order to move on. It also enables us to access stuck emotions, conditionings, patterns of behaviour and addictions that are buried deep in the unconscious.

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Heart Health
Cacao benefits the heart and the entire cardiovascular system as a whole. Nearly 200 studies in the last decade show it's ability to lower cholesterol, reduce LDL ("bad cholesterol") which forms sticky plaques on artery walls, increase HDL ("good cholesterol"), lower blood pressure, improve circulation, thin blood, lessen hardening of the arteries, reduce inflammation, lower risk of heart disease and stroke, and protect after a heart attack.

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Brain Health
Flavanol-rich cacao increases cerebral blood flow to the brain, suggesting treatment of dementia and strokes, more mental energy, less mental fatigue, fewer "senior moments." Research has shown that the more cacao consumed, the better performance on tests of mental acuity, memory.

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Diabetes
Cacao improves the ability of cells to control blood sugar. Clinical tests on healthy people have found that cacao does not elevate blood sugar in the same way as a caffeine containing food or beverage. In fact, researchers concluded that cacao has less distorting effect on blood sugar than nearly any other food.

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Asthma
Due to its vasodilating effects, cacao is particularly effective at reducing asthmatic symptoms.
Wrinkles. "Photoaging" is the scientific name for wrinkles, age spots, other skin damage from UV rays over a lifetime. High –flavanol intake, as in cacao, can double skin resistance to UV-caused damage. Who needs SPF 15! Cacao also tends to make skin softer with less scaling.

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Preclampsia
High blood pressure during pregnancy can be life-threatening to mother or baby. High flavanol intake, as in cacao, has been shown to significantly lower this risk, as much as 40 % lower in the third trimester.

Endurance

 Athletes who drank cacao drinks improved their endurance up to 51% longer than those who drank other sports drinks.

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Mood Booster
Phenylethylamine contained in cacao prolongs the effects of chemicals in the brain that give us that feeling great feeling. Many clients have chosen to come off their mood enhancing medications & replace with Cacao.

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Cacao and Caffeine
Contrary to popular opinion, cacao is a poor source of caffeine. A typical sample of cacao nibs or cacao beans will yield anywhere from zero caffeine to 1,000 parts per million of caffeine (less than 1/20th of the caffeine present in coffee).
Cacao does contains a bitter alkaloid named theobromine that is similar to caffeine, but not quite the same. In general, theobromine produces less intense and more beneficial effects...but it can still keep you up! It's much more gentle on the central nervous system and adrenals than caffeine, but is more stimulating to the heart. As a myocardial stimulator and vasodilator it increases heart rate while dilating blood vessels, generally creating a reduction in blood pressure. For these reasons theobromine is used to treat cardiac failure and angina. Just remember that raw cacao contains a more powerful punch of theobromines than roasted, so it's probably not wise to eat or drink a large amount before bedtime!

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For more information on Cacao Ceremonies or Journeying with Cacao visit 'Our Offerings' or 'Upcoming Events' or if you would like to purchase some Cacao then this can be purchased via our 'Shamanic Emporium' or by emailing us to arrange at info@healinghands.gg

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'Amidst the chaos there is chocolate'

- Lucia