Episode 185: Cacao with Marcos Pachett 

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Episode Summary

Who doesn’t love cacao in some way, shape, or form? (Of course, dark chocolate is the best kind of chocolate in my not-so-humble opinion, but that’s beside the point.) In this episode, I got to interview Marcos Patchett, a London herbalist with a very interesting backstory, who also happens to be an expert  on cacao.

Marcos shared so many fascinating aspects of this amazing plant, from its rich history in South America to its chemical constituents and the way it affects our bodies.  He also dove into its many health benefits – so now you have an excuse to indulge in some high-quality chocolate!

One traditional way to work with cacao is as a refreshing drink called pozol. Marcos shared a recipe for pozol that he learned in Mexico; you can download your beautifully illustrated copy in the section below.

Good chocolate is much more than just a decadent treat! Here are just a few ways cacao can benefit your health:

► It can help reduce stress and anxiety, and even certain kinds of pain

► It’s high in antioxidants and other nutrients

► It improves circulation and reduces inflammation

To learn even more amazing benefits of cacao, be sure to tune in to the entire episode!

By the end of this episode, you’ll know:

► How the many different constituents of cacao work together to affect your brain chemistry

► The importance of intention when preparing and using herbal medicine

► How adding some cacao to other herbs can help them work better

► Why cacao is good medicine for almost everyone, from young mothers to elderly gentlemen

► and so much more…

For those of you who don’t know him, Marcos has practiced as a medical herbalist since 2005, initially specializing in complementary care for people living with HIV. He practiced from Neal’s Yard Remedies Therapy Rooms in London from 2007 to 2016, and was a clinical supervisor at Middlesex University’s Western Herbal Medicine, Westminster University, and Heartwood Online. His first book, The Secret Life of Chocolate, was released in 2020, and the paperback edit, Pharmakakawa, came out last year. Marcos also teaches Medieval astrology. He launched Plan*tarium, a school of medical astrology for herbalists, therapists, and medical practitioners, in 2024.

I’m so excited to share our conversation with you today!

Would you prefer reading this episode? If so, click here to download a transcript.

Would you prefer watching this episode? If so, scroll down below.

Connect with Marcos:

• Websites | NocturnalHerbalist.com, TheSecretLifeOfChocolate.com, Plantarium.uk
• Instagram | @nocturnalherbalist
• Facebook | The Nocturnal Herbalist

What You'll Learn from This Episode

• [1:09] Student spotlight
• [3:58] Introduction to Marcos Patchett
• [5:30] Marcos’ plant path
• [17:29] Historical and cultural significance of cacao
• [25:30] Pharmacology of cacao
• [30:49] Cacao’s effects on stress and anxiety
• [37:56] Cacao ceremonies
• [42:50] More health benefits of (and contraindications for) cacao
• [52:17] The best kind of chocolate, in Rosalee’s completely unbiased opinion
• [1:02:12] Pozol recipe
• [1:09:53] Marcos’ books on cacao
• [1:11:32] Astrology for herbalists
• [1:13:28] What Marcos wishes he’d known when he first started out with herbs
• [1:23:00] Herbal tidbit

Get Your Free Download!

-- TIMESTAMPS -- 

• 01:09 - Student spotlight
• 03:58 - Introduction to Marcos Patchett
• 05:29 - Marcos’ plant path
• 17:40 - Historical and cultural significance of cacao
• 25:59 - Pharmacology of cacao
• 31:30 - Cacao’s effects on stress and anxiety
• 38:46 - Cacao ceremonies
• 43:55 - More health benefits of (and contraindications for) cacao
• 53:40 - The best kind of chocolate, in Rosalee’s completely unbiased opinion
• 1:03:53 - Pozol recipe
• 1:11:52 - Marcos’ books on cacao
• 1:13:33 - Astrology for herbalists
• 1:15:33 - What Marcos wishes he’d known when he first started out with herbs
• 1:25:08 - Herbal tidbit

Connect with Rosalee

• On Instagram | @rosaleedelaforet

• On Facebook | Herbs With Rosalee
• On YouTube | Herbs With Rosalee

• Website | herbswithrosalee.com


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