Maca (Lepedium meyenii), a root like turnip from the Brassica (mustard) family, has become one of the most popular herbs of the last two decades.
Just from 2001 to 2010, exportation sales of maca from Peru increased from $1.4 million to $6.1 million!
Yet, maca isn’t a new herb at all. Peruvian healers have used maca, sometimes called the “Peruvian ginseng” for 5,000 years as a food and a therapeutic herb.
The Incans considered maca a gift from the Gods, and Incan men took maca before combat and long journeys to increase energy and strength.
Like other adaptogen herbs, maca grows in a harsh habitat, with periods of extreme cold, heat, and high winds. In fact, maca is one of only two crops in this region that is able to survive!
Maca’s ability to endure and persevere in rugged conditions is believed to pass on to the people who consume it.
Today maca is a premier adaptogen, particularly for anemia, fatigue, hormone balance, libido, fertility, and stress support. Maca offers amazing benefits to strengthen the body, increase vitality, and improve endocrine system health.
Maca is an energizing tonic, which supports and balances hormones without containing hormones itself. Maca sterols and glucosinolates have been studied for hormonal, libido, and fertility properties since the 1960’s.
Both animal and human studies show maca improves sexual performance in men as well as sperm count and motility. Furthermore, red maca can reduce symptoms of prostate enlargement, a common problem for men at midlife.
For women, maca revitalizes the pituitary gland, supports the adrenals, and encourages normal hormone production by the ovaries. Animal studies show maca offers fertility benefits for women, too.
Maca promotes normal LH (luteinizing hormone) production, and appears to balance the ratio of estrogen to progesterone, critical for natural fertility.
In addition, maca is a key herb for menopause, found clinically to decrease hot flashes, night sweats, and mild depression.
Maca has even had success in improving low libido in women related to the use of SSRI drugs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors).
Maca is extremely nutrient dense. The root contains over 60 phytonutrients like macamides, macaenes, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, sterols, and glucosinolates.
It provides a wealth of vitamins and minerals like iodine, iron, zinc, amino acids, fatty acids, complex carbohydrates, and fiber.
High iodine in maca supports healthy thyroid function. As a source of iron, maca helps protect against iron deficient anemia.
Essential fats in maca promote brain health, and enhance mood and concentration.
Athletes use maca’s rich nutrients to boost stamina, and accelerate recovery from workouts or injuries.
As a tonic, maca is safe for daily use. I enjoy maca as part of my healthy breakfast. Although it doesn’t contain caffeine, maca is an energizing herb to start your day.
It can easily be added to smoothies, yogurt, homemade energy bars, and baked goods. Maca tastes a bit malty, but most people come to like the taste.
Here’s a simple recipe to try. Simply blend together the following ingredients…
Enjoy this drink and go forward with your day with better vitality.
Maca capsules and tinctures are another choice. Start with a dosage of 500-3000 mg daily. Maca combines well with schisandra and rhodiola in Innergy Daily Tonic.
Innergy increases sustained energy that lasts through your day, and is a good choice when you just can’t seem to get moving. Try it in the morning, about 30 minutes before you eat breakfast.
Note: Because it is mildly stimulating, avoid maca after 3:00 pm to prevent disrupting your sleep.
It may take a few months to experience the full benefits of maca, but it’s worth the investment of time. Sometimes I wonder what I ever did to get through my busy days before I found maca.