WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2011 AN HERBALIST VIEW ON CHOCOLATE

"Where there is great love, there are always miracles. "

Love can occur between two individuals regardless of sex. It is a shame that there are some individuals who do not believe this. If this was felt by all we would certainly legalize gay marriage in New York. It is so true that with love follows great miracles. Everyone needs love. Love is when you have a partner who supports you in every endeavor. I am always in awe of couples regardless of sexual orientation who have shared many years together. My grandparents were married for 65 years. Many of my older patients have been married more than 45 years. Last year Arnold and Nine passed away. They were married for 72 years. Gay individuals do not need a marriage certificate to stay together but it would be nice to have the same rights as all individuals.

THOUGHTS ON LOVE...

I will love you on the days when you are perfect in my eyes, and on the days when I wonder why you do the things you do.

I will love you when you are the strong center that calms me, and when you want to rest in the comfort of my embrace.

I will love you when you are confident and proud of everything that you stand for, and when you need me to remind you how far you have come, and that there is no limit to how far you can go...

Now and forever, come what may, just as you are ...I Will Always Love You.

Sauer's Herbal Cures comments on chocolate but behind the chocolate lurks the subject of vanilla. Thomas Jefferson's Cook Book by Marie Kimball strays from chocolate and discusses vanilla. This books postdates the life of the 3rd President of the United States. Perhaps it does not mention chocolate because in 1791 Mr. Jefferson made a comment about the lack of vanilla in Philadelphia in 1791. He set off to find vanilla pods, while many were returning from the Caribbean with cacao pods.

Vanilla although interesting, is not quite as interesting as chocolate. In Mexico most of the vanilla is consumed with chocolate. I believe that the reason why vanilla was not discussed or collected as much was due to the expense of collecting the pods. The vanilla was collected from wild plants which were unpredictable as a crop.

Historically Sauer proclaimed the kernel as the only edible part of the cacao tree (Theobroma cacao). This is not true as the pulp of the pod can also be eaten although it is not as tasty. Sauer states, "Cocoa has a temperate faculty for easing sharp humors, for sweetening a sour stomach, for attenuating thick, mucusy fluxes, for refreshing the spirit and for quieting diarrhea." He goes on to say "...chocolate should not be consumed daily, lest it thicken the blood."
He mentions nothing of the cardiovascular benefits.

A recent study used chocolate for constipation in children (Herbalgram, American Botanical Council) The 'easing sharp humors' is my favorite line from Sauer's description. He also discusses chocolate consumed as a drink. This is still done in some cultures. He talks about the thickening of the blood. He feels since most will sip chocolate drink while sitting, it will have no benefit.

He did describe chocolate as invigorating to the spirit and strengthening for the heart. This is as close as he gets to describing any cardiovascular benefits. From his lengthy poetic description, most of the today's benefit of chocolate can be inferred. I do not understand why a sad melancholic person should avoid chocolate because it thickens the blood. He stated that consumption will lead to even greater melancholy.

If you are a bit blue or melancholic, have the one piece of dark chocolate . Savor the taste. Feel the limbs awaken. Feel the heart strengthen. You are feeding an emotional void.

But remember, ONLY ONE TINY PIECE.

Until tomorrow.