The cacao bean is the source of perhaps the most magical and beloved foods on Earth because it is the source of chocolate. Even the cacao tree's official name, Theobroma cacao, recognizes the long-standing love most of us have for the fruit of this tree. Theobroma comes from the Greek language for "food of the gods." And while chocolate is the most popular and favorite of these foods from the cacao bean, an even healthier choice is raw cacao powder. How Is Cacao Powder Made? To produce raw cacao powder, raw cacao beans are simply cold pressed to remove the fat, and the remaining solids are ground into a fine powder. Cacao vs. Cocoa: What's the Difference? Cacao powder contains all the beneficial nutrients and beneficial compounds of the raw cacao bean minus the fat. In contrast, cocoa powder is made from roasted cacao beans. And even if they look alike, the two are different. In making cocoa powder, up to 90% of the nutrients and beneficial compounds in raw c
Keeping our doshas balanced is an important part of maintaining a healthy body and mind throughout the entire year. Seasonal shifts are big news in the world of Ayurveda and can cause doshic imbalances if we aren’t honoring their cycles and living accordingly. While the summer season is a magical time of year, it is also Pitta season, and if we don’t adjust our diets and lifestyle to keep Pitta at bay, we risk accumulating excess heat in the body. A Pitta imbalance can show up as anger, irritation, loose stools, acid reflux, skin disorders, and more.
Herbs play a powerful role in Ayurveda and are an amazing way to keep doshas balanced during seasonal transitions. Include some of the following herbs in your self-care regime to prevent Pitta imbalance and feel your best all summer long.
Hibiscus typically grows in warm or tropical climates. The flower has a sweet taste and a cooling effect on the body, making it highly effective for balancing excess Pitta. Some of the benefits of Hibiscus include maintaining healthy skin and hair, supporting the liver, and promoting good circulation and blood health. Hibiscus can be taken internally as a tea for a delicious way to stay cool all season.
Neem is an evergreen tree that provides a variety of healing benefits. All parts of the Neem tree have been historically used to treat disorders in the mind and body. Neem is a cooling herb that can be used both internally and externally for Pitta-related conditions. It is highly cleansing for the blood and is especially useful for skin disorders such as acne, rosacea, or eczema. Neem is quite bitter in taste, which gives it powerful cooling properties to pacify excess Pitta. It can be applied topically on skin as an oil, or taken in capsule form for internal use.
Amalaki is a potent herb that is highly revered in Ayurvedic tradition. It is one of the three herbs included in the powerful Ayurvedic digestive formula Triphala. It is a fruit that nourishes tissues and detoxifies the body. Amalaki removes excess pitta from the system, cleanses the digestive tract, stimulates agni or our digestive fire, and is a natural antioxidant. It is typically taken alone instead of Triphala for those who have excess Pitta in their digestive tract. You can take Amalaki in capsule form or as a tea.
Pitta Balancing Tonic
Ingredients:
- Tsp dried hibiscus leaves
- ¼ tsp amalaki
- 2 cups hot water
- Fresh mint
- Tsp maple syrup
Directions:
- Place hibiscus and amalaki in a tea pot or mug and pour hot water over them. Steep for five minutes.
- Muddle a few fresh mint leaves and place them at the bottom of a mug.
- Strain the mixture and pour it into the mug. Add maple syrup and stir. Let it cool slightly before drinking and enjoy fresh.
Gabrielle Marchese
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