Cashew Nuts

Cashew
Anacardium occidentale
Type: Nut (Seed)
Used In: Bliss Balls

Origin
Cashew traces its roots to the lush, sun-drenched forests of northeastern Brazil, where it grew wild before making its way across the tropics. Today, it flourishes in regions like India, Vietnam, Mozambique, Tanzania, and the Ivory Coast - each harvest reflecting the unique conditions of its soil and season.

At MyGemBox, we source our cashew nuts from producers who work in harmony with the land - prioritising regenerative cultivation, ecological balance, and dignity for the hands that tend each tree.

Primary Benefits
Cashew is more than a creamy, satisfying snack - it’s a deeply nourishing food, revered for its synergy of protein, healthy fats, and essential minerals.

  • Rich in heart-loving monounsaturated fats

  • High in copper, magnesium, and manganese - key minerals for bone, nerve, and enzyme health

  • A steady source of plant-based protein and sustained energy

  • Contains polyphenols and anacardic acids with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory potential

  • Supports brain function, mood regulation, and metabolic balance

Traditional Use
In Brazil, the cashew apple was traditionally used in liver tonics and fermented drinks, while the nut was prized for strength and stamina. In Ayurveda, cashew is considered balya - a strengthening, rejuvenating food that builds ojas (vitality) and supports a grounded nervous system.

It was often given to those in recovery or with depleted constitutions - used not just as food, but as subtle medicine for fortifying body and spirit.

Contraindications

  • Those with tree nut allergies should avoid cashew entirely - reactions can range from digestive distress to anaphylaxis

  • The raw cashew nut is encased in a shell containing urushiol, a resin also found in poison ivy. Commercial "raw" cashews are actually lightly steamed to remove these toxins and ensure safety

Scientific Insight
Modern science confirms what traditional wisdom has long known - cashews are a nutrient powerhouse.

Per 100g
Energy: 553 kcal
Fat: 44g (with over 65% monounsaturated)
Protein: 18g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Copper: 110% RDI
Magnesium: 73% RDI
Manganese: 45% RDI
Also contains Vitamin K, B6, Zinc, and Phosphorus in significant amounts

Their impressive nutrient profile supports cardiovascular health, cognitive clarity, enzyme function, and cellular repair. The presence of anacardic acid adds antimicrobial and anticancer interest in current research.

Energetics
Cashew is warming, moistening, and deeply grounding. It balances dry, scattered, or cold states - especially supportive for vata constitutions or during seasonal transitions. Its oily, dense quality lends strength to those who feel depleted, weak, or disconnected from the body.

In the context of food as medicine, cashew is a builder - not flashy or fast - but deeply dependable.

References
Duke, J.A. (1983). Handbook of Energy Crops. Purdue University
Morton, J.F. (1987). “Cashew Apple, Anacardium occidentale.” Fruits of Warm Climates
USDA FoodData Central (2024). “Cashew Nuts, Raw”
Rosen, T., and Fordice, D.B. (1994). "Cashew Nut Dermatitis." Southern Medical Journal, 87(4): 543–546
Weinberger, T., and Sicherer, S.H. (2018). “Tree nut allergy.” Journal of Asthma and Allergy, 11: 41–51
FAOSTAT (2025). “Cashew production statistics”
Quattrocchi, U. (2016). World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants. CRC Press
Hamad, F.B., and Mubofu, E.B. (2015). “Bio-based anacardic acids and derivatives.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 16(4): 8569–8590