WINTER MOON RITUAL CHOCOLATE

Schizandra, rich in antioxidants, is known as the five-flavor berry ( wu wei zi) in TCM, with a balanced taste profile of sweet, salty, sour, bitter and astringent, and is prized for its adaptogenic qualities. 

Especially beneficial for women, it is one of the safest botanicals to consume that both supports and gently protects liver cells and stimulates detox pathways; cleansing and building red blood cells. 

Aiding in stress resistance and boosting endurance, schizandra pulses support liver, while tonifying the ovaries, pituitary gland, hypothalamus, and adrenals!

Schizandra enhances skin and eye health and fortifies the body's defense against oxidative stress.

The Living Goddess, Nadine Artemis, (Living Libations), describes the Bulgarian Rose Otto we add to the final stage of stone grinding as "a heart-opener, a soothing balm that brings comfort and harmony to the spirit."

This steam distilled oil of the highest magnitude imparts a heavenly order that soothes the inner spaces from the heart to the womb. The anti-inflammatory and anxiolytic compounds like geraniol can reduce the feeling of contracting and dissipate the cortisol strands.

A bite of this bar offers depth where rose fields and oxygenated cacao jungles tether in our soul of souls, the womb-space where the open heart pours forth letting go to full fill.

Red Reishi Mushroom

In ancient Asia, Reishi mushroom was considered a greater treasure than any jewel, and today ranks as the elite substance for the attainment of longevity, radiant health, and spiritual atunement. It is the widest studied and most revered herb in history. It has been utilized for an enormous range of ailments, including cancer, immune problems, sleep problems, lung problems, high blood pressure, heart disease and many many more.

Reishi is a potent immune system modulator, meaning it assists the immune system in protecting the body whether it is in a deficient or excessive state. In China, Reishi is known to strengthen and tonify the Shen energy, which is one’s spiritual energy. Known as the ‘Herb of Spiritual Potency,’ it is often used to improve meditation, release tension and increase focus. 

Red Reishi consumed during bleed time will promote relaxation by calming the nervous system, while modulating immunity and balancing the endocrine’s fluctuating dip in hormones. You may find yourself resting and regenerating with deeper states of sleep.

White Peony is traditionally used in Chinese medicine to alleviate menstrual cramps and regulate menstrual cycles due to its antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties.

It can help in balancing hormones by supporting liver function in metabolizing estrogen, potentially reducing symptoms like mood swings and breast tenderness during menstruation.

White Peony might also ease tension and improve blood circulation, helping to reduce pelvic congestion and related discomfort during the menstrual phase.

Dong Quai, often called "female ginseng," is traditionally used in Chinese medicine to regulate menstruation, alleviate menstrual cramps, and balance hormones. We chose to integrate this radiant herb in the spring to tonify and lend these properties much like sewing seeds that can be later harvested.

It's reputed for its blood-nourishing properties, helping to improve circulation and potentially easing symptoms associated with leading into and during menopause.

This herb is also believed to have anti-inflammatory effects and could support cardiovascular health by relaxing blood vessels.

Licorice root has long been used as a unifier and staple of TCM formulas and is a cornerstone in many formulas for female hormone and reproduction in Asia.

Distinct from licorice used traditionally outside of Asia, this licorice root is an adaptogen that can reduce bloating, is beneficial for clear skin, promotes hair growth and can balance irregular ovarian follicle growth and will quite possibly reduce ovarian cysts.

Popular in European and Native American traditions, Cramp Bark (Viburnum Opulus) is renowned for its antispasmodic properties, making it a traditional remedy for relieving menstrual cramps by relaxing uterine muscles.

The amount we use in our chocolate is not a practitioner prescribed dosing for relieving cramps. It does however, in a mild way aid using the effective compounds in a 'low dose often' approach that is meant to be less is more.

It restores by balancing the voluntary and involuntary muscle spasms in the autonomic nervous system. It contains compounds like scopoletin, shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, further aiding in reducing pain and discomfort associated managing pelvic congestion during menstruation.

As a vasodilator, it is great for circulation, helping to ease the flow of blood energy through the body staving off tension headaches and migraines.

Goji berries, are the gateway into the materia medica of chinese herbal tonics and serve to function powerfully and safely while process this physical experience of having a body. The latins, upon learning of this berry’s benefits, named this berry Lycium which is the latin word for school because it contains all the general aspects of addressing health through food as medicine.with their high antioxidant content, can help combat oxidative stress during menstruation, potentially reducing inflammation and pain.

They contain compounds like betaine, which might help in regulating hormones, possibly easing mood swings and other emotional symptoms associated with menstrual cycles.

Goji berries are also rich in iron, a nutrient that can be beneficial for replenishing blood lost during menstruation, helping to combat anemia and related fatigue.

L-Theanine, an amino acid found in tea leaves, is known for its calming effects without causing drowsiness, potentially soothing the mood swings and anxiety that can accompany menstruation.

It promotes relaxation by increasing alpha brain wave activity, which might help in managing stress and improving sleep quality during the menstrual cycle.

L-Theanine can enhance focus and cognitive function, offering a mental clarity boost when hormonal fluctuations might otherwise cloud thinking during menstruation.