Botanical Index No. 180

Cacao

theobroma cacao

Medicinal Actions

Allergenic, Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Antiseptic, Antitumor, Astringent, Broncholytic, Cardiotonic, CNS-Stimulant, Comedogenic, Digestive, Diuretic, Ecbolic, Emmenagogue, Hypotensive, Lipolytic, Myorelaxant, Parasiticide, Secretolytic, Stimulant, Thermogenic, Tonic

Primary Conditions Treated

Aphrodisiac Emollient Thyroregulator Vasodilator ADD Adenopathy Alopecia Asthma Bacteria Bite Bleeding Bronchosis Burn Cancer Cellulite Chafing Childbirth Cold Congestion Cough Cystosis Debility Dermatosis Diabetes Diarrhea Eczema Enterosis Eruption Fever Flu Hemorrhoid Hepatosis High Blood Pressure Hyperkinesis Infection Malaria Mastosis Nephrosis Nipple Obesity Ophthalmia Parasite Parturition Pregnancy Proctosis Rheumatism Scabies Screw Worm Snakebite Thyroidosis Tumor Vaginosis Water Retention Worm Wound Wrinkle

General Dosage

1–2 tsp cocoa/cup water and/or milk.

Safety & Contraindications

Not covered. Not approved. “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages or with consuming normal amounts of chocolate products”. Commission E reports contraindications for seed and seed shell: hypersensitivity; adverse effects: allergic reactions with skin manifestations and migraine. Patients with irritable bowel syndrome should avoid cocoa-containing products. Cocoa butter clogs pores, causing blackheads in animals. Biogenic amines can trigger migraine attacks. Even caffeine can trigger headaches in naive subjects. Theophylline is present in traces only in unroasted beans, which disappear with roasting. Enzymes such as hydrolase, lipase, and proteinase are deactivated in roasting. If caffeine from coffee works for hyperkinesis, a big if, why not caffeine from chocolate, or tea, both of which may have even more health benefits via their catechin-tannins? Milk chocolate may have 2000 ppm caffeine, bitter chocolate 4000 ppm.

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