cocoa, chocolate tree
In tropical America and cultivated in most tropical countries, such as Sri Lanka and Java.
the seed
It is a skin softner, diuretic, stimulant, and is highly nutritious. The seeds are ground into a paste between hot rollers, with sugar and starch added to produce cocoa. The cocoa butter (or oil of theobroma) produced forms a hard solid, which is used in cosmetics, suppositories and to coat pills. This butter also has a very good emoillient qualities and is used to soften chapped hands and lips. The alkaloid, theobromine, contained in the beans, is similar to caffeine in action on the central nervous system, but less powerful. It acts on the heart, kidneys and muscles and is used as a diuretic and stimulant of the kidneys. This effect is especially useful after fluid has accumulated in the body after heart failure and it is given in conjunction with digitalis (foxglove). The drug is also of benefit in high blood pressure.
Expressed oil, theobromine.