Steinmetz:Theobroma

Theobroma cacao

Also known as (or relevant to) Theobroma cacao Family Sterculiaceae English Names Cacao tree Cocao tree Chocolate tree Natural Habitat tropical America; cultivated in West Africa West Indies Ceylon Indonesia and other tropical countries Part(s) Used Cortex Cacao = Testae Cacao Semen Cacao Oleum Cacao = Oleum Theobromatis = Butyrum Cacao

Constituent(s) seed: fixed oil (cacao-butter) theobromine caffeine proteids starch cacao-red (colouring matter) cellulose albuminoids tannin Action shell: slightly diuretic used as a substitute for coffee; seed: used for making chocolate which is nutritive emollient stimulant It relieves high blood pressure because it dilates the blood vessels Cacaobutter which is remarkable for having but little tendency to rancidity is a convenient base for lozenges suppositories pessary etc.