In ancient times, when no one thought about scientific medicine, people studied and looked for application to the beneficial properties of the plants that surrounded them. This was the only way to find ways to cure diseases, and knowledge was passed down from generation to generation. The use of cocoa butter has an ancient history, which began long before the seeds of the plant came to Europe.
How did we find out about cocoa
If you believe the historical chronicles and archaeological excavations, the cocoa beans were known on the territory of modern Mexico in the 13-15 centuries BC and were used by the Aztecs. During the wars, Europeans destroyed ancient civilization without adopting the necessary knowledge about an exotic plant.
The history has preserved recipes on how to make a delicious drink from beans, and nothing more. It was only in the 16th century that cocoa was looked at not from a food point of view, but for medical purposes, based on the culinary knowledge of cocoa butter.
How to get cocoa bean butter
To date, there are many applications for cocoa butter. Its production is put on stream and is used both for culinary, and for medical and cosmetic purposes.
The process of obtaining oil is considered the ultimate in processing the fruits of the chocolate tree. First of all, cocoa beans are dried, aged under certain conditions for some time and fried.
After obtaining dark and hard beans, they are crushed and ground to a powder state. And the product already obtained is subjected to strong press pressure for squeezing the oil.
What contains cocoa butter
Being inherently vegetable fat, cocoa butter has a wide range of beneficial micronutrients such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, and finally caffeine.
The composition of this product includes important vitamins:
- Vitamin E, or tocopherol, which provides great immunomodulatory support to the body, is excellent for the prevention of muscle dystrophy and anemia.
- Vitamin K, which plays an important role in maintaining normal blood coagulation in humans, as well as stimulating the absorption of other vital trace elements.
In addition, cocoa butter contains a number of fatty acids, most of which are inherent in the human body:
- Stearin.
- Oleic.
- Arachin.
- Linoleic.
- Lauric.
- Palmitic.
To one degree or another, these acids are produced by the human skin, which makes the properties and use of cocoa butter even more important.
How Cocoa Butter Can Be Helpful
First of all, it has proven antioxidant properties and is great for strengthening immunity and lowering the level of inflammatory processes in the body.
When used in food, oil has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, increases the strength of blood vessels and purifies the blood, it is believed that it can also serve as a prevention of oncological and cardiovascular diseases.
Regular use of cocoa butter as a product of external exposure, improves skin condition, helps healing of wounds and burns, and also fights dermatitis and other skin problems. Natural fat allows you to use it as a tool for healing sores, cracks in the lips, as well as for treating problems of the rectum and cervix.
The use of oil in small quantities for procedures on the hair allows you to bring the scalp back to normal and get rid of dandruff, and also prevents dryness and hair loss.
Medicine, having studied all the properties of cocoa beans and their derivatives, seeks to maximize the usefulness of these products.
Cocoa Butter in Traditional Medicine
The medicinal properties of cocoa butter and its use in folk recipes serves as an excellent support to the body, and in some cases can replace traditional medicine preparations. However, the decision should be made by the doctor, based on the individual characteristics of the patient's body.
Cocoa Against Cough
The use of cough cocoa butter is recommended primarily in the cold season, when the body loses some of its protective properties and is prone to colds.
It can be used both for prophylaxis and for the treatment of diseases. Doctors may recommend its use in order to provide additional support to the body.
The properties and use of cough cocoa butter often cause controversy and controversy. However, no one will dispute the warming effect of the product. It is recommended that you rub your chest and back with massage movements during illness, which will improve blood circulation and allow you to quickly clear your bronchi and lungs.
It is believed that if you mix butter with cocoa powder, the effect will be better, and more nutrients will get into the body. Here it is necessary to make a reservation that the natural powder should be reddish in color.
A simple and affordable cough recipe (used for angina, bronchitis):
- In a glass of milk, dilute about 20-30 grams of cocoa powder and boil.
- After cooling the drink, add a spoonful of honey and a spoonful of cocoa butter.
- Take a drink warm (before bedtime), this will calm the irritated mucous membrane and relieve cough.
Such a medicine will appeal to children due to the smell of chocolate and sweet taste, and if in the process you still rub the oil externally and wrap up the patient, then a good healthy sleep is ensured.
Cocoa Heals
As already mentioned, cocoa butter has a healing property and can help with minor burns, cracks, abrasions and diaper rash.
Preparing the ointment at home is not difficult:
- Only turmeric and cocoa butter are needed.
- It is necessary to mix the components in equal proportions and apply to the damaged surface.
The mixture is recommended to be stored in a cool place, preferably in the refrigerator. Before applying, allow it to warm to room temperature, and then apply a bandage to the wound.
In traditional medicine, cocoa butter is used in a number of drugs to treat hemorrhoids and cervical erosion. Such funds are available as candles for their introduction into the damaged area.
Cocoa Against Stress
Chocolate, even its smell, causes a person to have a positive reaction, therefore, to improve the state of mind during an illness or just after a hard day, making a sweet drink will be an indispensable option.
A cup of hot drink, but always with the use of cocoa butter, quickly and deliciously relieve unnecessary nervous tension.
The use of oil as a massage perfectly relaxes the body and promotes sound sleep, which can also be an indispensable recipe against stress.
The use of cocoa butter in cosmetology
Chocolate tree fruit oil is part of many skin care cosmetics. Due to its natural properties, it is excellent for softening, moisturizing, nourishing and, as described above, restoring the skin.
According to reviews on the use of cocoa butter, it can be judged that it perfectly stimulates the skin of older women, helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and increases elasticity.
An interesting fact is that in cold weather, oil saves face skin from peeling, and on sunny days it protects against ultraviolet radiation, while it nourishes in a balanced way and does not cause unwanted shine.
The skin of the lips in a harsh winter will also say thanks if you lubricate it overnight with cocoa butter. This will maintain softness, elasticity and avoid painful cracks.
Funds can be purchased in stores and pharmacies, but can be prepared at home and independently verify the effectiveness of the application and properties of cocoa butter in cosmetology.
Simple recipes for a home beautician
Facial treatment for a woman is a very reverent and delicate process, the skin requires increased attention and easily responds to any adverse factors. Therefore, before proceeding to the procedure, it is necessary to make sure that there is no allergy to components, including cocoa butter.
The use of cocoa butter for the face in home cosmetology is considered the best option, as it is suitable for almost any type of skin.
Lightweight face mask:
- A vegetable or fruit that does not cause allergies is selected, and fresh juice is squeezed.
- A teaspoon of cocoa butter is mixed with juice and milk (in equal proportions).
- The resulting mixture is applied to the skin of the face without affecting the areas around the eyes.
- Washes off after ten minutes with clean water.
For ladies aged mask recipe is suitable:
- Fresh parsley must be finely chopped.
- A teaspoon of cocoa butter is added to a small amount of greens (about a tablespoon) and mixed thoroughly.
- The resulting mass is applied to the face for about half an hour.
- Washed off with clean water.
The use of cocoa butter as a hair care product is also common at home. Especially useful for dry, prone to hair loss. When rubbing the product into the scalp, beneficial substances penetrate the bulbs, filling them and nourishing them with useful trace elements. The effect of this procedure may be noticeable after the first application.
Despite the exotic nature of the plant itself, oil is quite commercially available. It is best to purchase it in a pharmacy, so as not to doubt the naturalness. Instructions for use of cocoa butter are attached, but are more informational in nature, describing the beneficial properties and applications. The most important thing is to pay attention to the composition so that there are no dyes or preservatives.
The Role of Cocoa Bean Butter in Cooking
Perhaps this is the most famous area of application in all circles. In one form or another, cocoa is consumed all over the world daily. Confectionery is unthinkable without the use of cocoa butter.
It is cocoa butter and powder that give chocolate its characteristic smell, taste and satiety. It is an interesting fact that cocoa powder is not used for the production of white chocolate, and created it to get rid of excess oil.
The allergic reaction to overeating chocolate is caused precisely by cocoa, which is part of it. It is important to pay attention to the high calorie content of the oil, so people who monitor their weight should be careful not to overeat sweet chocolate products.
Oil storage at home
To cocoa butter retained its properties and served only to the benefit of your health, you must follow the rules for its storage.
High-quality oil has a yellowish or cream color, smells of chocolate (cocoa), and at normal temperature maintains a solid state. If the oil turns gray or white, then this indicates the end of its shelf life and improper storage.
Ideal conditions for cocoa butter are considered to be a temperature of no higher than 18 degrees Celsius and humidity more than 70%, storage containers should not let in daylight.
When buying oil, it is important to inquire about the production date, despite the long shelf life, it is better to be safe. And most importantly, cosmetic oil is not suitable for human consumption.
The right product choice is important for an effective result.