The mountainous country of Peru in the South American continent serves as home to several beneficial plants and medicinal herbs, one of which is the Peruvian Maca Root – an Adaptogenic herb with exceptional nutritional value. This root has been used in both cooking and medicine by the indigenous people for thousands of years, considered as a superfood by the people who used it.
Maca, also known as Lepidium meyenii, possesses significantly high quantities of minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates and amino acids and its nutritional value exceeds or is equal to that found in cereal grains. To many people, the other name for Peruvian Maca Root is Peruvian ginseng though the herb ginseng has no relation with Maca root.
South American nutritionists tell us that maca is very nearly a perfect food. You can eat maca like the Peruvians do, making it the most important item in your diet, but you can also benefit from maca in even tiny doses. The potency of maca seems to derive from its almost perfect balance of protein, healthy carbohydrates, healthy fats, plant nutrients, and vitamins.
As Maca entered the common market in the 21st century it was hailed as the answer to everything from fatigue to migraines. It is readily available in most health food and nutrition stores and consumers buy it in a variety of forms. As with all changes in nutrition, always talk to your doctor before adding any herb or nutritional supplement to your diet.
Maca is considered an adaptogen; an herb that helps the human body resist stress, both external and internal. Emotional and physical trauma is thought to impact the body less when maca is taken and many people feels that it also fights fatigue.
Proponents of the herb say that it enhances the body's natural immunity and increases energy levels. Other benefits of maca are reported to be:
Antibacterial and antifungal
Hormone Balancing
Healing acne and other skin conditions
Helps build muscle
Improves circulation
Improves reproductive functions in both men and women
Prevent migraine
Prevent cancers
Speeds healing
Regular intake of Peruvian Maca Root can help to control hormonal imbalances and can benefit the body's circulatory system.
It accelerates the body's natural wound healing process and can help to minimize blood disorders like anemia.
Menopausal and andropausal women and men can benefit by consuming Peruvian Maca Root as it minimizes hormonal dysfunction associated with andropause and menopause.
Menopausal women suffering from frequent bouts of night sweats and hot flashes as well as from anxiety and depression should take Peruvian Maca Root as it effectively eliminates these problems.
Regular intake of Peruvian Maca Root can assist in increasing your stamina, endurance and energy; it can enhance both human and animal fertility. Couples trying to conceive can benefit by taking Maca root.
Peruvian Maca Root is non addictive, so it can be used as a healthy alternative for building muscle mass.
Peruvian Maca Root is a rich source of antioxidants; it is also anticarcinogenic, bacteriostatic and fungistatic by nature.
If you want to possess healthy teeth and bones, go for Maca root.
Maca root intake has been associated with enhanced mental powers and cognitive abilities and it has a positive effect on learning and memory.
If you suffer from lack of motivation and focus, stress and exhaustion, sleeplessness and insomnia and vaginal dryness, consumption of Peruvian Maca Root can help eliminate all these problems naturally, without harming your body.
Being rich in antioxidants, Maca root can impart a youthful glow to your skin and make you look and feel younger.
According to recent medical research and studies carried out on Maca root, this wonder herb also has the following beneficial properties and nutrients.
Irrespective of the pathological state of the individual, Maca root can have a normalizing effect on the body.
The effect of Maca root on the body is general and widespread and not restricted to a specific localized organ or region of the body.
Maca root contains terpenoids and saponins which act as analgesics, antitumorals, pain relievers and expectorants and as sedatives.
There are fatty acids contained in Maca root which function as local antiseptics and fungicides. This helps to heal wounds faster and boosts your body's immunity.
Its anticarcinogenic properties are due to the presence of some forms of fiber and glucosinolate found in Maca root.
Alkaloids acting in conjunction with bio available calcium (both present in Maca root) can minimize rickets and osteomalacia as they make Maca root a potent bond builder.
The nutritional value of Maca root is improved through the presence of tannins which bind and precipitate proteins.
Thus, the Peruvian Maca root or Maca root extracts help to increase stamina, strength, physical energy and fertility – all of which combine to make it a winning combination. Peruvian Maca Root is now widely available as a supplemental super food in most American health food stores.
Before trying maca root you should consider the possibilities of side effects and negative reactions. Natural medicine can produce intense side effects as much as a prescription drug can.
Maca root, its reported benefits, and side effects, has not been evaluated by the FDA and no official studies have been done on humans. Remember that it can take several weeks before either benefits or side effects begin to show up. It is important to proceed with caution when making any changes in your health care routine.
You can have an allergy to maca, especially if you have other plant based allergies. Be sure to check with your allergist and begin with small doses.
While hormonal changes can be good they can also cause increased acne, changes to menstrual cycles and other problems. Never take maca if you are pregnant or breast feeding.
Some people report an increase in the number and severity of the headaches they have.
Heartburn is a possible side effect of taking maca – especially if you are taking it in a higher dose.
Maca is a stimulant and therefore may cause increased heart rate.
Maca is high in iodine so people who have thyroid problems should always check with their endocrinologist.
Maca increases the production of testosterone in both men and women. It can lead to problems in women that include:
Anger
Breast and uterine cancer
Change is body shape
Growth of facial hair
Insulin resistance
Mood swings
Voice change
It is important to note that New York University's Langone Medical Center reports that they have not found any evidence that there is an increase in testosterone among those who take maca regularly.
Maca increases energy and may lead to insomnia.
Maca can upset sensitive stomachs.
The University of California at San Diego reports that there are no known interactions between maca root and prescription drugs. You should monitor your health carefully however, and discontinue taking maca at the sign of any problems.
It is important to check with your health care provider before taking any herb. If you decide to take maca be sure to slowly build up to the recommended dose. If you experience any side effects or unusual symptoms stop taking it immediately and contact your doctor.
Some nutritionists recommend cycling when taking the supplement to reduce the possibility of side effects. To do this you would take the maca for two weeks and then take three days off before repeating the cycle.
The following reviews have been selected:
------------------------------------------
Reviewer: BLISS, 35-44 Female, 5/31/2011 4:27:21 PM
Effectiveness: Current Rating: 5
Ease of Use: Current Rating: 5
Satisfaction: Current Rating: 5
Comment:
Help the hot flashes. Can't live without it. I have a lot of experience with maca. It really does help me in supporting my endocrine system !
------------------------------------------
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars This supplement really works!, February 22, 2010
By
Lisa Adams
I have taken various supplements over time and have not really felt they were doing anything. This product actually works and I can tell it works! I have PCOS, so I have reproductive problems. I have had a normal cycle every single month since I started taking this, where before I would sometimes go up to 8 months in between cycles. This product has been a [wonderful] for me. I had absolutely no side effects from taking it.
------------------------------------------
Reviewer: 45-54 Female, 5/5/2011 3:28:21 PM
Effectiveness: Current Rating: 5
Ease of Use: Current Rating: 5
Satisfaction: Current Rating: 5
Comment:
A friend recommended Maca to me as a way to reduce night sweats & the moodiness that comes with peri-menopause. It has been great ! Not one bad side effect. I wasn't sure if it was helping until I stop using it for a couple weeks. Within a few days I noticed a change in my mood and my sweats came back. Both my husband and I take about 1/2 -1 tsp in a glass of juice every morning. I highly recommend it, it really has improved our quality of life.
------------------------------------------
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Helped me get pregnant after almost 3 years of TTC., December 15, 2010
By
sandstorm2
I have had irregular periods for my whole life. When my husband and I tried to get pregnant, it didn't work. We went to the doctors. He put me on Clomid. I was on it for almost a year, and decided to try other means. After trying many different herbal and natural remedies, I tried the maca powder. The powder made me have my periods, but it tastes horrible (sorry), so I wasn't as regular as I should have been in taking it. I started taking Maca in the pill form. My first cycle using it, I got pregnant! I am now 11 weeks along. I can't wait to hear the heartbeat in a few weeks. If you are trying to conceive, I say, its worth a try. It doesn't cost much. (Especially compared to fertility treatments by doctors) and it works, at least for me. Hopefully this is helpful. And I hope it works for you! :)
------------------------------------------
Reviewer: gechie, 55-64 Female, 3/10/2011 12:56:13 AM
Effectiveness: Current Rating: 5
Ease of Use: Current Rating: 5
Satisfaction: Current Rating: 5
Comment:
been on 500mg one a day for over a week. Have not used my blood pressure meds, as my pressure is now 110/70. I check it 3 times a day. One day it was 90/70. I am happy to use something natural to keep it normal. I have extra energy, as before I was sleeping 10hrs a night, and then a nap during the day, and no energy. I am 64 yr old female, and work out about an hr 5 days a week. I plan on staying on this a long time., but may skip a day a week. I see some people are taking MASSIVE DOSAGES and I am surprised by this.
------------------------------------------
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Good for Daily Energy, October 4, 2010
By
R. D. Eldridge (Alton, IL)
I didn't buy this for "Reproductive Health"... I bought this because Physical Vitality in general was supposed to increase. And it did! I take about [3 grams] a day with meals and snacks. For the very first day I noticed the difference. I have substantially more stamina for normal work. I managed to bring myself to do the house cleaning I have been putting off and was amazed at how much energy I had. Although it did all that, it didn't stimulate like caffeine. It doesn't keep me awake if I take some before bed. It just makes me have more energy when I need it.
------------------------------------------
Reviewer: tahoe momma, 45-54 Female, 3/26/2010 11:25:12 PM
Effectiveness: Current Rating: 4
Ease of Use: Current Rating: 4
Satisfaction: Current Rating: 4
Comment:
recommended for menopuase symptoms & has been very effective
------------------------------------------