Damiana Dark Chocolate

Love and chocolate go hand in hand. That's why this time of year is full of chocolate hearts. It's not hard to take a little leap and make some amazing aphrodisiac candies with dark and decadent chocolate. It also helps that dark chocolate is actually very good for your heart. So here's my favorite recipe that is great for both heart and libido.

But first, a bit about the ingredients:

Cacao is the main ingredient in chocolate making. It's super supportive of the cardiovascular system, anti-inflammatory, full of antioxidants, a stimulant, and relaxant. It also contains small amounts of phenethylamine, which enhances our mood and increases our sense of “love.” This applies to cocoa butter as well cacao nibs/powder.

Damiana is one of the most well known herbal aphrodisiacs in the world. This little flower was used by the Aztecs for just that reason. It increases circulation to the sexual organs, which also makes it great for those with anxiety or depression, and helps to balance the hormones. You can read more about this amazing herb here.

Rose is an optional ingredient in this recipe, but it is also an aphrodisiac and antidepressant. Plus we associate the smell of rose with romance and adding rose to any aphrodisiac recipe increases that feeling.

Cardamom is another optional ingredient in this recipe. However it's another herbal aphrodisiac. Plus the flavor of cardamom may seem strange to add to chocolate, but it's so delicious, especially with rose. Read more about this herb here.

Cayenne is a great optional ingredient. Adding cayenne to dark chocolate adds an air of the exotic. It's also a great way to boost your aphrodisiac power. Because it works so well to increase circulation, it helps to carry the effects of your other ingredients more efficiently, and a little bit faster. Making it a great addition to any herbal recipe.

Damiana Dark Chocolate

2 ounces Cocoa Butter

2 ounces Coconut Oil

1 teaspoon dried Damiana Leaf

1-2 teaspoons Optional Dried Herbs: Rose, Cardamom, Cayenne

(one of my favorites is 1 tsp Rose Water, ½ tsp Cardamom, and 1 pinch Cayenne)

2 ½ ounces Cacao Powder

6 teaspoons Raw Honey (or sugar of your choice)

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Instructions:

Combine Cocoa Butter, Coconut Oil, and herb(s) in a heat proof bowl. Set the bowl over a pot of simmering water, being careful not to let the bowl touch the water. Allow the ingredients to slowly melt and incorporate. Allow them to infuse for 20 minutes or more. Strain out the solids, making sure to squeeze the herbs well, to get out all the infused butters. Return the butters to a bowl over simmering water. Add in all other ingredients (if you're using sugar, put that in first to melt before adding other ingredients). Adjust sweetness if desired. Stir until smooth and shiny.

You can go the easy route and make this into a chocolate bark simply by lining a cookie sheet with wax paper then pouring this chocolate over the paper and freezing it. Once frozen, break it up into pieces. You can also use this to dip aphrodisiac truffles (such as these bliss balls). There are also some really cute candy molds out there these days. Get creative! But don't forget, if you are going to use molds, make sure they are completely dry before pouring in your chocolate, or you'll get little bubbles in your chocolate.

I hope you enjoy making these delicious chocolates! If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below!

Also join my friend, Ms Lisa Ray at the Florida School of Holistic Living this Valentines Day for a class all about making herbal chocolates!

Nothing Says “I Love You” Like Damiana

    Valentine’s Day is just around the bend, and it just so happens to be put right into one of the more stressful times of the year (tax season), which means some of us may need a little help getting “in the mood.”  Damiana, Turnera diffusa, is one of those amazing herbs that provides a bit of relaxation and stimulation in just the right ways.  It also has a few other benefits that make it worth looking at for those few who don’t need the aforementioned help. 

Herb Overview:

Family: Turneraceae

Genus: Turnera

Species: diffusa, aphrodisiaca

Common Names: Damiana, Mexican Damiana, Mexican Holly

Parts Used: Arial Parts (everything above the ground)

Properties and Actions: Increase libido, relieve depression, reduce blood sugar, calm nerves, reduce spasms, dry secretions, stimulate digestion, antiseptic, kidney tonic, energy tonic, general tonic, increase urination, and mild laxative.

     Damiana is native to Mexico, Central and South America, and the West Indies.  It was used by the Aztecs as an aphrodisiac, by Mexican women to stimulate lovemaking, and is commonly included in herbal remedies for prostate health.  Science has not determined its usefulness yet, but traditional medicine has made this herb the go-to for most sexual issues for both men and women.  Some people have also recorded that they experienced a mild euphoria after consuming damiana, almost like the effects of cannabis.  The euphoric effect and the sexual stimulation make this a great herb to use in place of alcohol as well.  Some people have also reported that after taking damiana, their alcohol cravings have been reduced. 

     All playfulness and speculation aside, what does damiana actually do?  Traditional medicine uses damiana as a sexual stimulant and to treat both erectile dysfunction and anorgasmia.  This is most likely due to the fact that damiana increases circulation to the sexual organs in the human body, and increases their sensitivity as well.  Damiana is also a great hormone balancer and is used quite often to help women who suffer from premenstrual tension (PMT) as well as women who are going through menopause.  It is a natural anti-anxiety and anti-depressant, the effects of which can be most clearly witnessed when you are actively feeling down or out of sorts before drinking the tea.  In many cases, the feeling of well-being will be almost immediate.  Many people have smoked damiana in order to wean themselves off tobacco, and with a great degree of success.  Since damiana is both antiseptic and diuretic, it is often used in the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs).  Many traditional medicine systems also use damiana for bronchitis and asthma. 

Cautions and Warnings:

     As with all herbs, respect should be given and caution should be used.  Damiana does tend to increase libido as well as fertility in women, and sperm count in men.  Consume this herb with family planning in mind.  Some people have reported erotic dreams shortly after beginning regular consumption, however these tend to dissipate after a week or so.  Damiana also has a history as an abortifacient herb (can cause abortions), so please do not use damiana while pregnant.  There is a chance that, with prolonged use, it could interfere with the body’s ability to absorb and use iron.  But this usually only happens when consumed more than 3 days a week for long periods of time.  However, this is definitely an effect that should be monitored if you are prone to anemia.  Also, since damiana does have the effect of lowering blood sugar, if you are diabetic you should exercise caution with this herb.  Avoid it if you are hypoglycemic or taking medications to lower your blood sugar.  This effect is only a concern when consuming the tea, tinctures should be safe, but your blood sugar should be monitored just in case. 

     I hope everyone has a wonderfully romantic Valentine’s Day this year!  If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below!

Resources:

Annie’s Remedy: Damiana: http://www.anniesremedy.com/herb_detail201.php

Happy Herb Company: Damiana: http://happyherbcompany.com/damiana

Henriette’s Herbal: Properties and Uses of Damiana: http://www.henriettes-herb.com/eclectic/bios/bios-king-damiana.html

Herbal Resource: Damiana – A Medicinal Herb: http://www.herbal-supplement-resource.com/damiana-herb.html

Herb Wisdom: Damiana: http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-damiana.html

Mayo Clinic: Anorgasmia in Women: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anorgasmia/basics/definition/con-20033544

Mayo Clinic: Erectile Dysfunction: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/basics/definition/con-20034244

Raintree: Damiana: http://www.rain-tree.com/damiana.htm#.WJfu31MrJ1s