Ultimate Guide to Safely Incorporating Cacao into Your Spiritual and Wellness Routine
Incorporating Ceremonial Cacao into a spiritual or wellness routine can be a deeply enriching experience.
Below I have listed some best practices to ensure you do so safely and effectively as Ceremonial cacao is a mild plant medicine and should be treated as such:
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Begin with a Low Dose: If you are new to working with cacao, start with a smaller amount (10-20 grams) to see how your body reacts.
Gradually Increase: You can gradually increase the dosage as you become more comfortable and familiar with its effects.
Daily dose: It is best to do a simple and effective body test to see what the right dose is for the day. You can read how to do this here.
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Organic and Fair-Trade: Opt for high-quality, organic, and fair-trade cacao to ensure you are consuming a product free from harmful additives, and pesticides and that is GMO-free.
Ceremonial Grade Cacao: For spiritual practices, it is best to use ceremonial-grade cacao, which is minimally processed and retains more of its natural compounds and source - Gaia.
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Drink Plenty of Water: Cacao can be dehydrating, so it's important to drink plenty of water before, during, and after your cacao ceremony.
When dehydrated some individuals may experience headaches or nausea, to mitigate this, ensure you drink plenty of water afterwards.
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MAOI-Base antidepressants - If you are taking medications, especially anti-depressants that are (MAOIs or SSRIs), it is best to exercise caution. The tyramine in cacao can be contradicting.
SSRI’s - SSRI Anti-Depressants - The interaction between larger doses of cacao and SSRI-type anti-depressants is important. This is due to the presence of MAOIs in cacao, specifically related to tryptophan. If you are on SSRIs, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before consuming large quantities of cacao.
Heart condition - Cacao contains theobromine, which significantly increases heart rate and acts as a vasodilator, lowering blood pressure. If you have a serious heart condition, consult your physician before consuming cacao and consider using it in smaller amounts.
Other serious Health Conditions: If you have any serious health conditions, and are unsure consult your health care practitioner on consumption and dose.
Tune In: Pay attention to how your body feels during and after consuming cacao. Adjust the dosage if you experience any discomfort or adverse effects.
Rest if you feel overstimulated or unwell, take a break and allow your body to rest.
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Although it is safe to consume ceremonial cacao while pregnant and breastfeeding it is advised to reduce stimulating foods. Like coffee or tea, cacao can be stimulating due to the theobromine present in cacao, similar to caffeine. A lower dosage of 10-20 grams is recommended.
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Purpose and Intention: Before consuming cacao, set a clear intention for your ceremony or practice. This could be for healing, creativity, meditation, or connection with your higher self.
Mindful Preparation: Prepare your cacao mindfully, show gratitude and honouring its origins and the purpose of your ritual.
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The Environment: Choose a quiet, comfortable space where you can be undisturbed. Consider creating a mini altar, candles, incense, or soft music to enhance the atmosphere.
Other Elements: Incorporate elements like obsidian, jade or rose quartz crystals, plants, or sacred meaningful objects, or photos to the area or altar to create a harmonious environment.
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Meditation and Breathwork: Enhance your cacao ceremony with meditation, breathwork, or gentle yoga to deepen your connection and experience.
Creative Activities: Engage in creative activities such as journaling, drawing, or dancing to enhance the energy of cacao.
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Respect - Respect the Spirit of Cacao (Ixcacao) by approaching her with gratitude and love for the plant, its origin and the farmers involved in the process and production. This includes being mindful and respectful of the cultural significance of cacao, especially if you are incorporating these practices from indigenous traditions into your ceremony.
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Reflection - Take time to reflect on your experiences and how cacao is supporting your spiritual or wellness journey.
Listen - Listen to your body’s needs. If it needs a rest from a daily dose of cacao then honour this. Your body knows what it needs and doesn’t. Overuse can lead to adrenal stress and diminish the benefits you are trying to obtain.
By following these best practices, and listening to your body and needs you can safely and effectively incorporate cacao into your daily spiritual or wellness routine, enhancing your connection, creativity, and overall well-being.
If you would like to know more or purchase some Organic Ceremonial Grade Cacao from Peru then click here
