CHOCOLATE LOVE
This wonderful recipe was inspired from love for me and love for others. Damiana is such a magical plant, It can help relive tension; Damiana is famous for being an aphrodisiac and found to increase the libido. I am not one to recommend drinking; so if you’re not a drinker making it with vegetable glycerin is a wonderful alternative. If you want to take it daily the recommendation is 10 – 20 drops from a dropper bottle, (1 ounce). Research shows it’s been know to support hormonal balance. It encourages a sense of well being.
You will need a double broiler or you can also use a soup pot and a slightly smaller metal bowl. Spatula, cheesecloth for straining the plant matter. (1) 32 ounce Glass Jar with lid. Mason jar is great; later you might want something pretty to put in smaller bottles as gifts.
Ingredients:
1. 1 ounce of Damiana leaves/
Found at Peoples co-op Portland, or 503-674-2642 or http://www.newseasonsgrocery.com
The Herb Shoppe on Hawthorne @ 503-234-7801.
2. Elderberry; wonderful flavor and useful for calming, soothing, flu and cold symptoms.
2. 1 ½ cups of Brandy or Vegetable Glycerin/ you can find glycerin in most health food stores or Mountain Rose Herbs@ 1-800-879-3337 or email them http://www.mountainroseherbs.com
And you can order it online, they are located in Eugene Oregon and are very reputable. I chose a Loganberry Liqueur/ Liqueur from Portland Oregon, http://www.clearcreekdistiinery.com
Cooking alcohol over low heat for some time helps some of the alcohol dissipate.
3. 1 ½ cups of Spring Water
4. 1 cup of Honey; soothing, warming, antioxidant, anti-microbial; (kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi) great for someone suffering from allergies to mold and spores.
5. 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract: relaxing to the body, aroma is known to work as an aphrodisiac.
6. 1 Tablespoon of Rose water: 1 aromatic rose bud submerged in an 8-ounce glass of water for 3 days.Use the rose petals for a bath and store the remaining water in the fridge and use as a face toner daily. It should last for a few weeks.
7. 2 tablespoons of Dark Chocolate syrup; you can get it at http://www.almachocolates.com or Whole Foods has some with agave instead of fructose syrup. It is packed with antioxidants, research shows chocolate contains phen-yl-ala-nine. Phen-yl-ala-nine occurs naturally in the brain to help regulate your mood, helps with stress management in the body. Our brains produce it from the essential amino acid L-Phen-yl-ala-nine. Research shows low levels of “PEA” have been found in those suffering from depression and ADHD/ADD.
Fill your double broiler or homemade version, ¾ water. Get water simmering before placing brandy; damiana leaves, and dried elderflowers. Warm the honey at the same time. Once warm add to the brandy mixture. Add 1 ½ cup of boiling spring water.
Let this mixture simmer for 3 hours. Using cheesecloth, strain over large mixing bowl. You could strain the herbs
Through one more time by making a nighttime tea and then hop into a nice hot bath.
ENJOY!!
