Papaya - a world class meat tenderizer, natural digestive aid, prevents ulcers, and also a soft contact lense cleaner.Healing with Cocoa
Cocoa contains two chemicals that account for its uses in herbal healing-caffeine and theobromine.
Pick-Me-Up - Cocoa has only 10 to 20 percent of coffee’s caffeine content-about 13 milligrams per cup compared with instant coffee’s 65 milligrams and drip coffee’s 100 to 150 milligrams. As a result, cocoa and chocolate may relieve drowsiness and provide mild stimulation without causing as much [itteriness. insomnia, and irritability as coffee. Try some when you feel lethargic-purely as herbal medicine, of course.
Digestive Aid - The theobromine in cocoa relaxes the smooth muscle lining of the digestive tract, which may be why many people have room for chocolate after a heavy meal. Try some to soothe your stomach after meals.
Asthma - Theobromine and caffeine are close chemical relatives of a standard treatment for asthma (theophylline), which opens the bronchial passages of the lungs. Theobromine and caffeine have similar effects. Even if you don’t have asthma, try cocoa or chocolate for the chest congestion of colds and flu.
Rx for Cocoa
Kiss guilt good-bye. Now there are some genuine, good-foryou reasons to brew yourself a heavenly cup of cocoa. Try it as a pick-me-up or digestive aid. Anyone with asthma should be under a doctor’s care, but there’s no harm in a cup of cocoa for possible relief.
To make cocoa, use 1 to 2 heaping teaspoons per cup of hot water or low-fat or skim milk.
Some children and adults are extrasensitive to the stimulants in cocoa and chocolate. If insomnia, irritability, or hyperactivity become a problem, reduce consumption.