Stärkungsmittel, Aphrodisiakum und Verdauungsgetränk. Kakao und Schokolade in der Medizingeschichte der europäischen Neuzeit

Abstract

Cocoa and Chocolate in the Medical History of Early Modern Europe

The following paper examines the different medical uses of chocolate and cocoa from the 17th to the 19th century in Europe. The scope of application ranges from the treatment of headaches, fevers and digestive disorders to tuberculosis, infertility, and menstrual cramps. Furthermore, the paper analyzes how the ostensible healing functions of chocolate have been adapted to the prevalent concepts of medicine. As will be shown, the diverse qualities of chocolate closely correlate with the predominant medical opinions of the respective time.