Herbal Cacao Part 1: Revered Elixir of the Ancient World: Cacao as Medicine

Heart Health Adaptogenic Hot Cacao Recipe

Inside the Jangala Chocolateria cacao shop in San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico. The owner, Julio, is dedicated to fair trade, shade grown, equitable practices. I visited this shop an *unmentionable*number of times during my five weeks in Chiapas.

Introduction

Recipe for a Large Batch

Single Cup of Herbal Cacao

Healing Power of Cacao

Heart Protective Properties

Cognition and Mood Support

Energy, Endurance, and Metabolism

Properties of Ashwagandha and Hawthorn

Counterindications

Ethical Sourcing of Cacao

Cacao as a Healing Remedy: A Brief History

What if the chocolate you crave was also the most potent medicine your heart needed?

When the cacao bean was first used in the amazonian rainforests, it was treated as a medicine, used as food, and revered in ceremonial traditions. Originally consumed in liquid form, cacao found its way into soups, medicinal drinks, the bags of doctors and healers, and was even traded for currency. It was not until the 1400s, when cacao arrived in Europe, that it began its transformation into the sugared product we know today—a delicious treat, but often stripped of its status as a potent healing remedy.

Many of the chocolate products on the market today have been heavily sugared or made with preservatives and additives. But, what does cacao look like in its raw form?

The cacao bean contains antioxidant-rich polyphenols, stimulating compounds such as caffeine and xanthines, macronutrients in the form of lipids, and a whole host of minerals.

A curandera in Chiapas, Mexico, showing me the first layer inside a cacao pod. Inside the next layer there are about 40 cacao beans that eventually get processed into chocolate.

Cacao is known for its use as an anti-inflammatory, with diuretic, neuroprotective, stimulating, and nutritive qualities. It has a bitter, earthy taste that still maintains a warming quality.

With all of these beneficial constituents, it makes me wonder, what would happen if we started to approach cacao as if it were a medicine again? What if more people became intentional about how they consume cacao? To put this intention into practice, I've developed simple, purposeful ways to integrate raw cacao into my daily routine. Beelow you will find one of my favorite herbal cacao drinks, crafting using organic, raw, and fair trade cacao powder.

Heart Health Adaptogen Hot Cacao

I make the following in big batches and spoon it out as I go along. I prefer to powder my own herbs because powdered herbs lose efficacy fast and I want mine fresh and full of the most nutrients. A nutribullet or magic bullet-type blender works best (believe me, I have tried many ways to powder herbs and the little blenders work best). I also measure this recipe in “parts” which is common in the herbal field. You can decide that your part is 1 cup, 1 tablespoon, ¾ cup or anything in between! Read below for the suggested amount to start with.

Recipe for a large batch of powder: (3:1:1 Ratio)

• 3 parts raw cacao, powdered

• 1 part ashwagandha root, powdered

• 1 part hawthorn berries, powdered

  
  

Herbalist's Tip on "Parts": 

The ratio for this recipe is 3 parts Cacao : 1 part Ashwagandha : 1 part Hawthorn.

• For your first batch, you could combine ¾ cup of cacao powder with ¼ cup of the ashwagandha powder and  ¼ cup hawthorn berry powder to get your 3:1:1 ratio.

• For a smaller batch, you could combine 3 Tablespoons of cacao powder and 1 Tablespoon each of the ashwagandha and hawthorn powders.

Organic and fair trade-certified ashwagandha root, raw cacao powder, and local, Vermont hawthorn berries from Zach Woods Herb Farm.

Recipe for a single cup of cacao drink:

• 1 tablespoon of the above mixture

• 1 cup of animal milk, nut/oat milk, water or a combination (I use ½ cup of oat milk and ½ cup of water)

• honey or maple syrup to taste

• 1 teaspoon of coconut oil or ghee, if using pure water to mix your drink

Directions

1. Combine 1 Tablespoon of Heart Health Cacao powder with 1 cup of liquid (water, milk, or a combo of the two). If you do not use animal or nut/oat milk here, I suggest adding 1 teaspoon of coconut oil to your liquid. Adding that bit of fat will help slow your body's metabolization of the sugar (honey or maple syrup) that you will likely choose to add in step three.

2. Slowly heat the liquid and use a fork, whisk, or immersion blender to stir the mixture.

3. Add about 1 teaspoon of honey or maple syrup per cup of liquid to sweeten your beverage. I use 1 teaspoon because I do not like overly sweet drinks. Keep in mind that maple syrup has a sweeter profile than honey!

The Healing Power of Cacao: Detailed Benefits

Heart-Protective Actions: Cacao

• Cacao is highly beneficial for the heart due to its polyphenol and flavanol (antioxidants) content

• Cacao is believed to preserve cell membranes, protect DNA, reduce oxidative stress, and decrease inflammation (de la Forêt 260) (Groves 155)

• Historically, cacao has been used to improve blood flow, prevent artery-clogging plaque, and reduce the risk of blood clots (de la Forêt 260)

• Cacao may help lower high blood pressure (hypertension risk) and may improve cholesterol levels (de la Forêt 260) (Groves 155)

• Note: Darkly colored fruits and vegetables (red, blue, purple) also tend to be good for heart health

Cognitive and Mood Enhancement

• Cacao flavanols also contribute to a sharper mind and improved mood

• Cacao may improve overall cognitive function, including alertness, memory, and attention span (de la Forêt 260)

• Cacao is also used to help with mood balance

Energy, Endurance, and Metabolism

• Cacao offers a natural boost and can support metabolic health

• Cacao contains caffeine to offer a natural increase in energy levels

• Consumption of cacao helps address issues related to endurance and fatigue

• Pure cacao appears to help reduce glucose levels and may promote weight loss (Groves 157)

Properties (Key Actions) of the Supporting Herbs and Spices

• Ashwagandha Root: helps the body transition in times of stress and fatigue, modulates the immune system, acts as a nervous system relaxant and sedative, and a tonic for the body; drying and warming

• Hawthorn Berry: most widely known for its use in improving the cardiovascular system, Hawthorn acts as a restorative and tonic for the heart, often used to lower cholesterol and blood pressure; offers nervous system support; acts as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant; helps tone tissue and skin internally and externally; considered cooling and warming, depending on the system of medicine

Why I Love This Combination of Spices and Herbs (Heart Health Adaptogen Hot Cacao)

Both cacao and hawthorn berry offer heart-healthy benefits to the cardiovascular system. Hawthorn is perhaps the reigning empress of cardiovascular-supporting herbs. They make a great combination of complimentary herbs.

Ashwagandha is part of a group of herbs called adaptogens. They help the body adapt to stress more readily and guide your body back to homeostasis when it is out of balance.

For more information on using cacao as a daily ritual and to slow down and to find the recipe for my favorite Persian Love Cacao, visit Part 2 of this blog.

Contraindications Section

Cacao is overly stimulating for many and can aggravate anxious folks or those with trouble sleeping. Those sensitive to caffeine or overstimulation should consume with caution. High doses of cacao are not recommended for children under the age of 18, or elders who have trouble sleeping.

Ethical Sourcing: A Note on Intention

The production and processing of cacao is a dirty business. Much of the world’s cacao is farmed in western parts of Africa where child labor laws are lax and wages are as low as 80 cents/day. In other areas of the world where cacao is farmed (Central and South America and across Southeast Asia) large swaths of land, often tropical rainforests, are cleared in order to keep up with the demand for cacao. Deforestation causes huge losses in biodiversity. To lessen the impact of the production of the cacao bean on human rights and the environment, look for brands that are FairTrade and Rainforest Alliance certified. These efforts make a huge impact on the industry, as the push for sustainable chocolate motivates chocolate producers to pressure growers for ethically and environmentally favorable certified cacao beans that also emphasize fair human rights practices (Harper).

Disclaimer

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These recipes, methods, and resulting products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and are for educational purposes only. The Undercover Witch LLC recommends that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications. 

References

Alkhatib, Ahmad, et al. “Acute effectiveness of a “fat-loss” product on substrate utilization, perception of hunger, mood state and rate of perceived exertion at rest and during exercise.” PubMed Central, 25 November 2015,  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4660661/. Accessed 17 November 2025.

Brown, Mary-Eve. “Turmeric Benefits.” Johns Hopkins Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medicine, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/turmeric-benefits. Accessed 17 November 2025.

de la Forêt, Rosalee. Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods and Remedies That Heal. Hay House, 2017.

Groves, Maria Noel. Body Into Balance: An Herbal Guide to Holistic Self-Care. Storey Publishing, LLC, 2016.

Harper, Davis. “The Dark Side of the Chocolate Industry.” Sierra, Sierra Club, 15 October 2017, https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/green-life/dark-side-chocolate-industry. Accessed 17 November 2025.