A Match Made in Blue Ridge

Zingiber officinale Ginger is not only common kitchen spice, but that has been traded across the world for millenia for its medicinal properties. It was valued enough that in the second century AD the Roman Empire was levying taxes on ginger imports, among a short list of other items. The Latin Zingiber, and many present day names for the herb in European languages, were derived from ancient Tamil Ingiver. It's medicinal values are currently studied clinically, but have been apparent for millennia. Aside from the modern recognition it has been used by western medical traditions, and heavily in Ayurvedic and Chinese medical traditions. Ginger supports healthy digestion and digestive health, can alleviate nausea, has anti-inflammatory effects among other positive impacts.

Cinnamomum burmannii Cinnamon, which in English is used to refer to any number of plants form the cinnamonum genus, is a popular and well known cooking and baking spice the world over. Known in the west as a spice for baked goods and sweets, and in the east as a common savory soup and curry spice. Across the Cinnamonum genus, each species has it's own quality of taste and aromas, as well as some differences in chemical makeup. While all are recognized as cinnamon, distinction is important for true culinary nuance. Mandala Naturals uses Cinnamonum brumanii in our chocolates because of the variety's more subtler flavor compared to the more common Cinnamomum cassia used broadly in the US, sometimes without attention to the it's difference in flavor.  The 'Indonesian' burmannii> cinnamon adds to sweetness and subtle spice to the nuanced flavors of our low-carb superfood Wild Chai and Cacao Alchemy, as well as the coconut palm sweetened Cloud Forest superfood chocolate bar.

Ocimum sanctum Tulsi or Holy Basil, native to India, is revered and widely used in Ayurvedic medicine. But it's not just those from it's native bioregion that has found it useful! It is used in Chinese medicine, and it's reverence and use extends to modern herbalists in addition to being researched clinically for a variety of uses.

Glycyrrhiza glabra Deriving it's name from the Greek word 'glukurrhiza' which means "sweet root". It is one of the most widely consumed herbs across the world and has been in used for thousands of years. It contains glycyrrhizin , which is 30-50 times sweeter tasting than sugar but doesn't cause any increase in blood glucose levels or trigger insulin release. In addition to it's use as a natural sugar free sweetener, it includes a host of other health benefits including anti-viral properties for chronic viral infections like herpes (cold-sores and shingles) and Hepatitis and a wide range of uses across cultures for millennia. Such a tasty root that can fight viruses and has been prized for so long certainly deserves the super-food distinction! 

Withania somnifera The ashwagandha plant is a small shrub with yellow flowers that's native to India and North Africa. It is known as an adaptogen and for thousands of years has been used to relieve stress, increase energy levels and improve concentration. (1)

Ganoderma Tsugae With a distinctive glossy red coat, reishi mushroom can be easily spotted, usually growing on stumps of fallen trees in the temperate forests of every continent. It has been called the "Divine Mushroom of Immortality" because of its legendary list of health benefits in traditional Asian herbal usage, including immunity support. The Species used in mandala Chocolate is Ganoderma, Tsugae, the Hemlock Reishi, and is native to the Southern Appalachian forests. Mandala Chocolate is the only source of Certified Organic g.Tsugae in the world.

Polymnia Sonchifolia Yacon is a tuber similar to the potato or jicama that is native to the Andean region of South America. Yacon is gaining attention around the world for its numerous health benefits, but it has long been consumed by the indigenous people of South America.Yacon, Polymnia sonchifolia, also known as Peruvian ground apple is a relative of the sunflower. It produces juicy, edible tubers, from which its name, translated as "watery root," is derived.

Pedicularis Canadensis This is one of the plants certified organic for the first time in history by Mandala Chocolate. It is known by a large variety of different common names including Wood Betony, Beefsteak Plant, Canadian Lousewort, High Heal-all, Snaffles and Canada Lousewort, Common Lousewort, lousewort, Betony, Early lousewort, Canada wood betony, Early Wood Lousewort and Head betony.It has been loved and utilized traditionally by native peoples for untold generations who ate it as a vegetable crop, a salad green and utilized it as a multipurpose medicine.