18 Cocoa Butter Health Benefits
Cocoa butter is ancient as it is believed to go back to the time of Olmec. The Olmec used it first, and that the Mayans and Aztec found more efficient ways of using the plant. Places like Spain, Holland, and France are also known for their chocolate. It is not believed that chocolate became known in Europe until the 16th century when Columbus was making his rounds around the world.
While cocoa butter is only sometimes eaten for its health benefits, like dark chocolate, it is used even more externally to treat a variety of ailments. Keep reading to learn more about cocoa butter’s many health benefits.
Cocoa Butter Health Benefits
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Moisturizer
Cocoa butter has antioxidants like zinc, omegas six and nine, and dopamine. Between these, using cocoa butter as a lotion can keep your skin smooth, moistened, and looking young.
You can make your own lotion. You want to melt half cups of shea and cocoa butter with half cups of coconut and almond oil. Once they are melted, remove them from the heat and add 20 drops of lavender essential oil. Let it cool slightly, then beat the mixture with a hand mixer until it is fluffy. Put it in the fridge for 15 minutes and store it in a lidded glass jar (not in the fridge).
For more recipes for natural moisturizers containing cocoa butter and other natural ingredients, read our article, DIY Natural Moisturizers.
Inesscents Aromatic Botanicals Unscented Organic Cocoa Butter ($14.34)
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All-Natural Shaving Cream
Some people dislike shaving creams because of the chemicals. That is more than understandable. Soap can be used in place of shaving cream, but that can still irritate one’s skin. Cocoa butter can be used in place of soap when it comes to shaving.
You need half cups of coconut and cocoa butter to be melted, add 20 drops of essential oil (most men use sandalwood while women tend to like lavender, but you can use whichever you like), and then mix the mixture until it is fluffy. Make sure to store this in an airtight container. Use this as you would any other type of shaving cream.
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Conditioner
Using cocoa butter as a conditioner can add volume, moisture, stop dandruff, and strength while decreasing frizz. On top of that, your hair will smell like chocolate.
You can make your own conditioner as well. You melt half a cup of cocoa butter, two teaspoons of vitamin E oil, and two tablespoons of coconut oil. Once they are melted, pour it into an airtight container, add six drops of vanilla essential oil, put it in the freezer for 15 minutes, then take the concoction out and allow it to warm to till has the same texture of butter. You can apply it dry hair.
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Omega-9
The fatty acid is amazing for a number things. It can build your immune system, fight bacteria, and lessen inflammation and pain. Eating a serving of cocoa butter a day can help with all of these things.
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Vitamin E
Vitamin E can heal scars, can soothe burns, clean pores, and even out the balance of oil production. To get these great health benefits from cocoa butter, all you need to do is rub it on the affected areas of your skin.
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Vitamin K
The vitamin K in cocoa butter is another fun vitamin that makes the solid cream worthwhile. Vitamin K reduces swelling, heals bruising, prevents wrinkles, increases the speed of healing by quickening the body’s ability to clot blood, and replenishes hair growth. Like with vitamin E, these health benefits work best when the cocoa butter is applied directly to the affected areas.
Dark leafy greens, like spinach, are also high in vitamin K
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Immune System
Cocoa butter has polyphenols that can fight inflammation, prevent heart diseases and autoimmune diseases, and cancer. Cocoa butter can stop autoimmune because it can fix or slow the mutation of cells and stop the damage done to DNA.
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Mouth Sores
Mouth sores can be caused by a number of things, and it is actually the saliva in one’s mouth that helps the wounds to heal. However, if you keep running your tongue over the sore, it will longer to heal. You can rub the cocoa butter onto the sore and it should short less the time it takes to heal while reminding you not to lick the sore.
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Minor Abrasions
Because of the polyphenols in the cocoa butter, it can help to heal burns, infections, and minor cuts. Simply rub the cocoa butter on the affected area. However, do not use this home remedy on deep cuts. When you get a deep cut, seek medical attention instead.
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Chapped Lips
Lots of lip balms have cocoa butter as one of the ingredients. You can make your own lip balm using cocoa butter and an essential oil. The essential oils usually used for this are vanilla, peppermint, grapefruit, and orange. Use this homemade lip balm as you would use any other kind to treat your chapped lips.
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Relaxation
The scent of cocoa butter can calm you down. When taking a warm bath, considering adding two tablespoons of cocoa butter to the water. It can moisten your skin while relaxing you at the same time. It is a double win.
Even smelling cocoa butter scented candles can provide a sense of relaxation
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Heart Health
Cocoa butter has been used to reduce the chances of heart attack, lessen the hardening of arteries due to inflammation, and assist with the metabolism of fat. To get this benefit from cocoa butter, eat a serving of it regularly.
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Increase Serotonin and Endorphin Levels
It is not just a myth that chocolate can help a woman to feel better during a menstrual cycle. It is the cocoa in the chocolate that does it because of the levels of magnesium that stop of the dropping of progesterone that causes the mood swings.
Cocoa butter also raises your body’s levels in serotonin and endorphin which can make everyone’s mood at least a little better. Just like with chocolate, the cocoa butter needs to be eaten if it is to have any effect.
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Alertness
Cocoa butter has something called phenylethylamine, which can help to increase your mental alertness and your stamina because it acts as a stimulant. Eating cocoa butter, or even just smelling it, can help to increase your alertness.
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Stretch Marks
This is one that might interest pregnant mothers more than others. When it comes to storebought stretch mark preventers, they can have chemicals that can actually affect breastfeeding and the child. So rather than risk that, you can just rub cocoa butter on your belly.
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Weight Gain
Whether you are suffering from an eating disorder or simply unexplained weight loss, one of the best ways to get it back is by adding a healthy fat to your diet. You can add cocoa butter to a smoothie or oatmeal to help you get your weight back up to where you want it.
When trying to gain weight, don’t eat too many fast foods. Instead, load up on healthy foods, like cocoa butter
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Energy
The minerals, fatty acids, and vitamins in cocoa butter can help your body to hold onto the energy your body naturally releases for longer so that you can skip out on the caffeine for a pick me up.
- Dental Health
As it has already been established, cocoa butter can kill bacteria. If you are not a fan of the mouthwashes you can get a store because of what is in them like the alcohol or for the cost, you can use cocoa butter as an organic replacement.
Melt the cocoa butter and let it cool enough that you can safely swish it around your mouth, but not cool enough that it is starting to solidify. Once you swish it around your mouth for about 30 seconds, spit it out.
Cocoa butter can also make for a good mouthwash for people who do not like the abrasiveness of store-bought mouthwash
Which of these health benefits are you the most amazed by? Comment below!
References
https://www.naturalfoodseries.com/11-amazing-health-benefits-cocoa-butter/
https://www.naturallivingideas.com/cocoa-butter/
https://www.newdirectionsaromatics.com/blog/products/all-about-cocoa-butters.html
https://www.n-essentials.com.au/the-origin-benefits-and-uses-of-cocoa-butter/
