Cacao Womb Moon Medicine: A Recipe to Nourish Your Womb on Your Moon
Hormones.
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, when it comes down to it, hormones pretty much control EVERYTHING in our bodies.
A few months ago, I had another wake-up call with me needing to get my hormones in check. When I first got off the pill in 2016, my body would get yeast infections almost every month around my luteal phase thanks to the drop in hormones. Probiotics that specifically targeted vaginal flora helped along with Vitex and after a few months, I no longer had monthly recurring yeast infections.
At the beginning of this year, those yeast infections came back. I would ward it off with tea tree suppositories or acidophilus capsules, but the month it showed up during my ovulation phase was the huge red flag I needed to make some changes. My face was breaking out, too! Huge cystic acne told me it was hormonally based, and isn’t ovulation the time when your skin should be clear/glowing? Something was off.
The first thing I did was cut out sugar. For about 6 weeks, I kept my sugar intake to a minimum and had to face the hard truth that my brown butter chocolate chip cookies and Tony’s Hazelnut Milk Chocolate obsession was only contributing to my situation. I always said I would choose milk chocolate over dark but the yeast infections had me get over that vice REAL quick.
Changing the water I used to wash my face to filtered water also helped (I previously recommended Filter Baby, but after having a nightmare of an experience with their refills + customer service, I no longer endorse them. I do still recommend filtered water though! I currently use the Culligan Reverse Osmosis attachment in my kitchen sink to wash my face which helps a ton. I also still recommend looking up the water in your area. You can head here and enter your zip code…you’ll be surprised — and disgusted— with what you’ll find), along with changing my vaginal probiotic, but what really helped was cycling my herbs, teas, and adaptogens based on the phase of my moon (menstrual) cycle.
When my moon showed up this month, I was (of course) craving chocolate…but my dark chocolate squares weren’t cutting it— I wanted something warm + nourishing. After looking through various recipes online, I didn’t find one that included everything I was looking for…so I created my own! This drink combines the benefits of raw cacao + herbs and even adaptogens to nourish your womb + soothe your soul during your most sensitive time of the month.
You’ll find:
Cacao: high in antioxidants and minerals like iron, copper, + magnesium, it’s a natural pain reliever to help reduce cramps while also replenishing the body of minerals lost during your moon. Cacao also contains tryptophan to help you relax and works with your hormones: it lowers cortisol levels (stress hormones) and increases serotonin and endorphins (feel-good/happy hormones). Raw + non-alkalized cacao is best as it’s unadulterated, keeping all the nutrients present.
Non-dairy milk: Dairy can be inflammatory due to A-1 casein, which can contribute to painful cramps, heavy periods, mood swings, and even breakouts. I recommend a non-dairy alternative instead. After learning about gums and seed oils added to most non-dairy milk, I made the switch from coconut milk to Califia’s Organic Almond Milk which is made of simply almonds, water, + sea salt.
Cinnamon, Turmeric, Ginger, Cayenne Pepper, + Cardamom: warming, non-inflammatory, and immune-boosting being high in antioxidants.
Himalayan salt: Improves digestion.
Raw honey: adds sweetness while also being naturally anti-pathogenic + packs a ton of phytonutrients.
Grass-fed butter/Ghee: Both are high in nutrients and healthy fats including Omega-3’s, CLA’s, + saturated fatty acids.
Of course, I highly recommend all ingredients being organic. I also suggest stirring each ingredient before adding another to mitigate clumping.
Cacao Womb Moon Medicine Drink:
1 cup of non-dairy milk warmed
1 tbsp raw non-alkaline cacao powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp dried turmeric
1/4 tsp dried ginger
Pinch of cayenne
Pinch of cardamom
Pinch of Himalayan salt
Raw honey to taste
1 tbsp of grass-fed butter/ghee
Optional:
Adaptogens: 1/4-1/2 tsp ashwagandha powder in the PM to help you relax/sleep or 1/4-1/2 tsp of holy basil powder in the AM for a brain boost/mental clarity. I have a tincture form of holy basil, so I’ll add a dropper full to my drink if I’m making this in the morning.
Warm milk on stove, then stir in cacao powder, spices, + salt. Pour into mug once heated, then add honey + butter/ghee. Stir to mix, enjoy, + most importantly, relax. You deserve it.
If you try this recipe, let me know how you like it below. Wishing you a beautiful moon cycle, XO
