Cacao

Botanically known as Theobroma cacao. It is evergreen small tree in the family Malvaceae of 4-8 meter long. Leaves are alternate, entire, unlobed, 10–40 cm long and 5–20 cm broad. The flowers are produced in clusters directly on the trunk and older branches; this is known as cauliflower. The flowers are small, 1–2 cm diameter, with pink calyx. The fruit known as cacao pod is oval in shape and 15–30 cm long and 8–10 cm wide, ripening yellow to orange, and weighs about 500 g when ripe. The pod contains almost 20 to 60 numbers of seeds usually called “beans”, surrounded in a white pulp.

Cacao is native to the deep tropical regions of Central and South America.

Its seed pulp contains fixed oil xanthines along with other constituent which is responsible for its flavor. The seed contains endorphins, which has property to ease the pain that occur naturally within the body. These are typical phytochemicals found in cacao. The cacao beans contain flavanols, flavonoids, quercetin, caffeine, theobromine and others. 

Unroasted seeds are used to prepare homoeopathic mother tincture. It is covered by United States Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia.

It is useful in correcting the arterial tension. It may be taken as an infusion or syrup to treat flu and colds, sore throat, whooping cough, chest infection, sinusitis. It has been used to expel threadworms and round worms in children. Duke (1985) suggests in alopecia, malaria, nephrosis and tumour. Central Americans have used the cocoa bean traditionally to treat the pains of pregnancy, fevers, and coughs. Theobromine relaxes the smooth muscle in the digestive tract. Cacao beans contain xanthines which have a diuretic and vasodilatory properties. A meta analysis by EL Ding and colleagues entitled ‘Chocolate and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: a Systematic Review’ and published in Nutrition and Metabolism (2005) showed that cacao and chocolate may exert beneficial effects on cardiovascular protection via effects on lowering blood pressure, anti-inflammation, anti-platelet function, higher HDL and decreased LDL oxidation.

Recommended dose: Q/1X and higher. 10-20 drops.

Contra-indication: As per reports patients with irritable bowel syndrome should avoid Cacoa. It may trigger migraine attacks

References: 

1. P. N. Varma, Indu Vaid, Encyclopaedia of Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia, Updated edition 2007, B. Jain Publishers, New Delhi
2. A. L. Blackwood, A Manual of Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacology, Reprint Edition 1995, B. Jain Publishers, New Delhi
3. W. Boericke, New Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica & Repertory [with Relationship of Remedies], Second Re-Augmented & Revised Edition Based on Ninth Edition, Reprint Edition 2002, B. Jain Publishers, New Delhi.
4. Andrew Chevallier, The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants, 1st Edition, 1996, Dorling Kindersley, London.
5. Eric L Ding, Susan M Hutfless, Xin Ding and Saket Girotra. Chocolate and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review. Nutrition and Metabolism (London) 2006; 3: 2.
6. Dr. P. N. Varma, Kusum Yadav,Ramachandran Valavan, A Compendium of Rare and Clinically Established Mother Tinctures, 4th Edition, Dr. Willmar Schwabe India Pvt. Ltd., A-36, Sector 60, Noida