Hot chocolate massage
The origin of chocolate
Nowadays, chocolate products are available at your fingertips in any grocery store, but the beneficial effects of chocolate were known long ago in central/south America to the Mayans, who used grated cacao seeds with honey, chili and corn to make the chocolate drink xococali (bitter water).
Originating from similar areas, Aztecs also made a chocolate drink from similar natural resources - crushed cocoa, chili, corn and honey, but also added vanilla. They had different colors of the drink, using different kinds of dried flower petals.
Columbus, Cortez and van Houten
Cocoa beans were brought to Europe by Christopher Columbus. Just as with potatoes, that also originated in South and Central America - noone could cook them properly!
Eventually, precious cocoa beans got more attention from the Spanish conquistador, Ferdinand Cortez.
Chocolate for drinking and eating
It wasn't until the 17th century that the sweetened, grated and drenched in hot water cocoa beans became popular in European courts. The spread of chocolate can be attributed to a certain Dutch chemist
Kacper van Houten Senior experimented with reducing the bitter taste of cocoa mass, made it easier to dissolve in water and invented the method of pressing. Thnks to his reasearch, the first chocolate factory was founded in Amsterdam in 1815.
Chocolate and its' magical ingredients
Chocolate is so highly regarded because it contains many psychoactive ingredients(caffeine, theobromine, anadamide, phenylethylamine). It also has endorphins and flavonoids, which are anti-stress compounds.
A good quality chocolate has a high content of valuable minerals, such as calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium and zinc. But it also has vitamins: A, B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), B9 (folic acid), choline, C, E and K.
Dark chocolate is considered much more valuable due to higher cocoa quantity.
Despite this abundance of ingredients, chocolate shouldn't be consumed in excessive quantities. Cocoa and chocolate are high-calorie products - there is said to be a recommended daily dose, which should not exceed 50 grams.
The fantastic effects of chocolate
Massage with chocolate is a real feast for the body, mind and soul. Chocolate stimulates the senses similarly to aphrodisiacs. Endorphins (so-called happiness hormones) secreted during the massage create a really good feeling. And even just the smell of chocolate has a relaxing effect!
Chocolate massage has a rejuvenating effect on the skin and improves its' color; it is also helpful in the elimination of cellulite. One session can last from about half an hour to three hours; but for full effectiveness, it is necessary to perform 4, 6 or 8 treatments - applied every two days.
Effects of chocolate massage
- Improves the appearance, nutrition, hydration, smoothness and elasticity of the skin,
- Prevents hypertension and improves blood circulation - including that of the skin(which also benefits from reduced swelling),
- Promotes vitality, intensively rejuvenating the body,
- Has a nourishing, detoxifying effect, stimulates muscle regeneration,
- Regulates the body's water balance,
- Prevents skin aging due to high flavonoid content,
- Eliminates stress and fatigue and opens up the world of beautiful scents, touch and warmth.
Indications for chocolate massage
- Excessive, prolonged stress; exhaustion of the body,
- Premenstrual tension (PMS),
- Severely dry, matted and tired skin,
- Cellulite (orange skin).
Contraindications to massage with chocolate:
- Pregnancy,
- Varicose veins or vascular congestion,
- Feverish or inflammatory conditions, infections,
- High blood pressure, cardiac ailments,
- Kidney conditions,
- Recent surgeries (recovery period - at least 3 months).
Suggested treatments with hot chocolate
Californian chocolate massage
California-style chocolate massage is a very slow one. It can be applied to one selected region of the body, such as the hips, abdomen, legs, or buttocks as a partial massage.
A full body massage using chocolate can last up to 3 hours! Chocolate massage nourishes the skin, helps eliminate or significantly reduce cellulite and adipose tissue.
By affecting many senses, it relaxes and calms the body, reducing stress and its' effects. Stimulation of energy points, in turn, stimulates the psyche, promotes energy flow and renews vitality.
Chocolate body wrapping with massage
In reality, it's a two-in-one treatment: body wrapping means wrapping the body in foil, which is preceded by the application of chocolate as a poultice to help slim, firm and refresh gray, tired or dirty skin.
The application of chocolate and its' distribution over the body is done by massage, which enhances the pleasant experience. High-quality chocolate not only works on the skin, but it also reduces muscle tension.
Smoothing and nourishing the skin reduces the appearance of cellulite (orange skin). The entirety of this extraordinary chocolate treatment, thanks to its' effect on all the senses, leaves an unforgettable experience.