This blog post feels wayyyy overdue. I have been aching to share the immensely powerful effects of ceremonial cacao during motherhood for so long now… yet I am trusting that this blog post lands at exactly the right time ❤️
I’m Isla-Rose, and I am Mumma to my incredible 16 month old daughter Awen. I have been working with cacao for many years, through ceremony, space holding, one-to-one clients and in my own practice. Yet when I became a mother, everything changed. Cacao began to call me inwards, asking me to redirect all of my outwardly focussed energy back to myself, and my little daughter. It was like a huge homecoming, and I began to realise that the precious, intimate, fragile energy brimming within me, was actually much needed medicine for my own tender heart, my womb and my beautiful new babe. For now, my journey needed to be about my own healing and self-discovery as a Mother, rather than holding space for other women. It was here that I began to understand just how deeply Cacao's medicine supports and nurtures the Womb. My womb was ready to birth a new me, and I knew that I needed to really listen.
How Ceremonial Cacao During Motherhood Nourishes The Heart-Womb Connection
Cacao’s medicine is so deeply linked to the womb. She is connected to the ancient, awe-inspiring magic of creation, birth and oneness. She is a mother, sister, grandmother and elder. She is a teacher and guide, and a masterful mentor. Her medicine not only activates, softens and encourages the heart to open, but also supports the womb to heal and release, in a profound way. Just as Cacao strengthens and tones the physical heart, by increasing circluation and movemet of the blood, she also works very similarly with the Womb. Any herb that supports the heart, naturally supports the womb as well. By increasing blood flow and circulation to the womb, the whole reproductive system is nourished and able to function effectively. This is essential for us as Mothers, helping the womb to cleanse and release residue straight after birth and balance the hormones. Her nutrient dense medicine fortifies the whole body after the blood and fluid loss from birth. Cacao supports not only by assisting the womb to cleanse with good circulation, but by being packed full of iron and magnesium, which are essential vitamins to replace when we have given birth, or begin our monthly bleeds once again.
As with many master plants, there is a purge. For Cacao, her purge is tears. She allows us to drop into the tender space of our hearts, and supports us in the release of built-up or unprocessed emotions that we may have been holding on to. Similarly, Cacao's medicine assits in the purge of emotions through our monthly blood, each time we bleed. Cacao's medicine during motherhood is an immense support in so mny ways
The Realness of Birth
My experience of birth was raw, wild, fierce, immensley beautiful and otherworldly. As women it takes us into our deepest fears and wounds, into our primal wildish selves, offering us the oppertunity to embrace the wisdom of our bodies in a way that we just weren't able to access before. Our wombs and our hearts break open, as we find deep reserves of courage that we didnt know we had, allowing us to birth our innocent babes through our bodies, however they decide to come forth. It’s a miracle. Cacao is an epic companion for exhausted mothers during labour, flooding the body with motivation, clarity, focus, releif from pain, bliss chemicals and an open heart. Cacao's medicine during these first stages of motherhood can feel like a deep and ancient motherly holding, so so powerful.
My Story
For me, my birth was beautiful. We birthed our daughter at home, next to the birth pool. The setting was exactly how I had imagined and hoped for, and I was lucky not to need any medical assistance. I essentially free-birthed my daughter at home, with the support of my beloved partner, our doula and her Wolf dog. We had candles, a beautiful altar and hearth fire to guide the way. I felt so proud of our new baby girl, she was exquisite in every way! Yet I also felt so disempowered, shocked and numb afterwards. But why??
I was shocked by the pain, because I hadn’t prepared myself for it. The pain took me to places I had never been to and couldn’t escape from. It tore through me with a ferociousness that was unbearable for me and my small body, and I came out of the birth portal in shock, feeling numb and wounded. I felt ashamed and confused in sharing this with anyone, because I had technically had my perfect birth.
Where does cacao come into all of this? She was my rock. Everyday my partner would present me with a cup of deeply nourishing ceremonial cacao, and I would allow myself to cry, to share and to process the confusion, the flash backs and the freeze state that my body was in. Her medicine softened my heart, and felt like an essential support during those early days and beyond. There was also an incredible deepening within my relationship to my partner, sitting with Cacao together each day in the raw vulnerability of new parenthood. She held our exhaustion, fears, excitements, pain and joy, and created a container for us to deepen emotionally with each other.
And now, 16 months on, Cacao's medicine during my motherhood journey has been essential. I am still savouring my mini dates with Cacao each day, whether I have a moment to myself to sit with her and drop in, or share her with some close sisters or other mothers, or create a ritual for myself and my partner. Her medicine is still carrying me strongly through the waves of Motherhood, with gentleness and clarity.
Healing From The Immensity of Birth with Cacao
It is highly likely that you have or will (for new mumma's to be!) experience a whole ream of emotions once you reach the other side of the birth portal. As I shared in my story above, some of those feelings may feel contradictory, and that is totally okay! Infact it's totaly natural to be feeling shock, joy, saddness, bliss, grief, ecstatic gratitude, exhaustion, confusion, imposter syndrome, delight, relief, fear.... it's all part of the journey of landing into Motherhood. Yet initally it can feel really hard! Maybe your birth was an utterly beautiful, joyous experience, maybe it was a little like mine, or maybe you have had a really difficult time and are left with a lot to unpack and heal from.
This is where Cacao's medicine has so much to offer women. As I have mentioned above, Cacao’s medicine is deeply supportive to the Heart on all levels. She not only opens our hearts to experience more love, joy, bliss and connection, she also helps our hearts to process and release any grief, trauma, pain and sadness that we may be holding on to. Her medicine helps to relax the nervous system, boost levels of feel good chemicals and feels like a big hug from the inside out. Her medicine supports us in proccessing difficult emotions more quickly with utter gentleness, aiding a new mumma in her integration and processing of the birth experience.
Breastfeeding
For me, breastfeeding has been one of the most incredibe and emotional expereinces I have ever had. It can be so different for each woman, and can bring up many emotions, stories and grief, if for any reason the baby can't latch properly, or the milk isn't flowing enough. Indegenous midwives from South and Meso American cultures, consider cacao to be a galactogogue (increases breastmilk production), and recommend that women begin drinking cacao as soon as the baby is born. Drinking Cacao helps to release oxytocin in the brain, the same chemical needed to produce breastmilk. This, mixed with the bliss chemical anandamide, feel-good dopamine and uplifing seretonin release, means that your cup of cacao deeply supports early bonding with your new babe, what ever happens. Breastmilk is mainly made up of blood, so by drinking iron & magnesium rich cacao, you will be helping to replenish your stores!
How Does Cacao Benefit a Mother Physically, Emotionally & Spiritually?
Cacao is packed full of vitamins, minerals and nutrients that are essential for a postpartum mother to recover fully and to thrive. Cacao contains the highest amount of iron from any plant based food. She contains high levels of magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, selenium, more calcium than cows milk, more antioxidants than blueberries and contains powerful anti-inflammatory compounds too.
CLARITY & FOCUS - Cacao stimulates the release of Dopamine which increases the function of neurotransmitters in the brain. This brings clarity, increased focus, motivation and positivity.
REGULATES SLEEP, MOOD & APATITE The tryptophan in Cacao increases the production of serotonin which boosts the mood, regulates sleep, eases pain and balances the apatite. Melatonin regulates the sleep-wake cycle within the body too.
SOOTHING TO THE NERVOUS SYSTEM Cacao stimulates the release of endorphins, bringing sensations of pleasure, relaxation and decreased pain. Endorphins act like natural morphine in the body.
ENERGY BOOSTING - Containing high levels of theobromine, Cacao has a mild stimulating effect, helping to encourage the heart rate and circulation, reduce inflammation, strengthen respiratory health and boost the mood.
CONTAINS THE "BLISS CHEMICAL" - Cacao contains anandamide which is known as the 'pleasure molecule.' This is released when we have really deep, heart-felt experiences like making love with a partner. It fills you full of potent orgasmic energy!
NATURAL CONSCIOUSNESS SHIFTING PROPERTIES - the combination of tryptophan and theobromine in Cacao creates a natural high, whilst also relaxing the whole nervous system and opening the heart. This can create mild psychoactive effects, opening the third eye chakra and helping you to open to Love.
How To Begin Your Journey With Cacao As a Mother?
The best way to begin, is by making yourself a yummy cup of cacao and to experience her medicine for yourself!
Buy Cacao!
You can buy high grade Peruvian Ashaninka Cacao here from my website, if you feel called to try Wild Soul Cacao… ❤️https://www.wildsoulcacao.co.uk/online-store
Alternatively, there are many other cacao suppliers out there who you may resonate with more deeply. Every cacao has a different vibration, so cacao that resonates with me may be different for you. When I ordered cacao for the first time, I ordered 5 different types! It was great to try them all and see what strains worked best with me physically and energetically.
Quantity
For new mothers or mothers who are still breastfeeding, it’s highly likely that you will be more sensitive to the physical effects of cacao. I invite you to tune into your body and intuit how much feels good for you - as it varies from woman to woman.
I would recommend trying between 10g - 20g as a daily dose, and see how you get on. Cacao does contain some caffeine, although it works very differently to coffee or tea due to the high levels of theobromine present in the cacao. Rather than spiking like coffee, the theobromine allows for a constant stream of balanced energy with no crashes. If you do decide to begin having cacao on a daily basis (which is totally safe!) I would suggest that you omit other sources of caffeine from your diet and stick to cacao, so as not to overload your body and your baby.
Recipe & Intention Setting Meditation
I have a free recipe and an Intention Setting Meditation on my website for you to access ❤️https://www.wildsoulcacao.co.uk/benefits-recipes
Cacao Ritual ❤️🍫
Create a cosy space at home, where you can be alone for a period of time. This may be hard with a new baby, so it may be that they join you in this space whilst they are napping :)
Light a candle, gather your journal or some oracle cards (Get your partner or a loved one to help you!!)
Once you have everything ready, including your cacao, close your eyes and allow yourself to smell your drink and ground into your body.
Set your intention for your time with cacao today, it may be a small intention or something much bigger! Trust your intuition.
When you feel ready, begin to drink your sacred elixir and notice how she feels in your body.
And then I invite you to allow cacao to work with you. Pay attention to thoughts, visions, inspirations, synchronicities that arise during this time. Maybe journal and see what arises for you, or pull some oracle cards for more support and guidance. You could also listen to music, dance, meditate, candle gaze, create art, journey shamanically, craft...anything that feels supportive and nourishing to you.
When you feel complete, thank Cacao and come back to your day :)
Safety Information
Antidepressants - Cacao is incompatible with some anti-depressants. She boosts serotonin in the body, which combined with antidepressants which offer the same effect, can lead to 'serotonin syndrome.' This is not dangerous, yet it does have some quite strong negative side-effects such as; headaches, exhaustion, dizziness and nausea. I would recommend starting with a very low dose of 10g, and see how you feel. It may be that you can play around and gradually increase the dose to a place that feels good to your body, or you may just stay at 10g.
Heart Medication - Because Cacao boosts the circulation and works directly on the physical heart, she is a very powerful medicine. I would recommend a much lower dose to start with (10g) and see how you feel. You can always gently increase the dose if you feel to. If you are unsure, please consult your health care practitioner before drinking.
Drink Plenty of Water - make sure that you are fully hydrated before you drink cacao in any quantity, and continue to drink water during and after also.
Thank you so much for reading! I really hope this blog post is supportive to you in some way, I would love to hear your comments below.
Much Love,
Isla-Rose x
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