Maca - What You Need to Know About Maca

The Benefits of Maca Powder For Men and Women

2011-11-03T05:05:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for an herbal supplement that can offer a wide variety of benefits in a single herb, you can't go wrong with maca powder. It comes from a Peruvian herb called maca, which has long been revered by the natives for its many benefits. Reputed benefits of the herb include everything from fatigue-fighting to aphrodisiac properties and more.

One reason many people take maca powder is to restore energy levels. The herb contains a unique balance of protein, carbohydrates, antioxidants, plant sterols, vitamins and minerals. These work together to keep the body at optimal condition.

Maca is also an adaptogen. Unlike medications, which force a response from the body, adaptogens work with the body to help it naturally reach equilibrium. It can balance hormones without the harsh effects of hormone replacement therapy. This makes it an asset for those with hormonal conditions such as menopause or low testosterone levels.

Maca powder is helpful in fighting stress. When our bodies experience stress, it sets off a cascade of physiological reactions. This may include increased blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol production. Insomnia may occur due to the decreased serotonin secretion. Maca helps the body ready itself for stress so the effects are diminished. It also helps to lower stress, reversing the damaging effects of it.

Maca can treat low libido in both men and women. By normalizing hormonal levels, it has a beneficial effect on the reproductive system, helping it work more effectively. Research has shown that it can also improve seminal volume and vaginal lubrication. It may even be helpful in treating erectile dysfunction. For couples trying to start a family, there are indications that maca can improve the chances of conception.

Maca powder can be used in a variety of ways. It can be used in bakery goods to replace part of the flour. Care must be taken that the maca doesn't make up more than 40% of the dried goods in the recipe, though, as it can affect the pliability of the dough.

Powder can also be added to water, teas or energy drinks. A popular option for using maca powder is in smoothies. Add a couple tablespoons of powder to a blender with a banana, low-fat yogurt, frozen berries and a dash of cinnamon for a delicious start to your day.

For those on the go a lot, maca capsules are another option. These are simply capsules filled with maca powder. You get all the benefits of maca in a portable method. This makes capsules ideal for travel. You may also want to keep a bottle of capsules in your desk at the office for a pick me up when the day's stresses are getting the better of you.

Whether you use maca powder or maca capsules, quality is a key factor in how effective it is. Look for products that are standardized as they provide a more consistent amount of maca's active ingredients. Buying from reputable merchants can also help make it easier to find high quality maca products.

This article was written by Arthur Martin who has been an expert on health foods in general, and has owned a health food shop for several years. He has now become one of the leading and most trusted source of Maca Powder in the UK.

For some of the best information about Maca Powder, you can visit http://www.BuyWholeFoodsOnline.co.uk

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Maca Extract - The Effective Libido Enhancer

2011-07-22T06:38:00.001-07:00

Maca is a kind of plant that belongs to the mustard family but has an appearance similar to raddish. It is abundantly grown in Peru, particularly in the Andes mountains where they thrive in the cold temperature and safe from pest infestation, and some parts of Latin America

Maca contains significant amounts of branched chain and essential amino acids from which most of its protein content is obtained, some glutamic and aspartic acid, sterols and important fatty acids.

Maca, Peru's natural answer to Viagra, is used to enhance sexual performance and to treat women who are experiencing symptoms of menopause. An experiment conducted by a biologist from the University of San Marcos in Lima, where he used the maca root to feed male and female laboratory animals showed that the female rats who received maca supplementation showed a faster maturation in egg follicles

The result of the experiment on male rats that were given the maca extract produced a high amount of sperm cells and exhibited a remarkable improvement in the sperm cells' speed of penetration, resulting to a higher incidence of impregnation. The substance present in the maca root that exerts action on the hypothalamus is responsible for giving the maca plant it sexual enhancing characteristics.

An article in the 2000 issue of the Journal of Urology published the result of an experiment conducted where laboratory animals were given oral supplementation of maca extract. The result showed an increase in the number of sperm cells among the female rats while the male rats demonstrated an improvement in their erection function.

In another article published in the 2001 Journal of Andrology, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of maca extract supplementation to the production of cells among adult rats. The laboratory animals were given a dose of the maca extract two times daily within a two-week period and the result showed an increase in the size of the testes. The conclusion was that indeed, maca extract supplementation promotes a generous production of sperms among the male laboratory animals.

An article published online in 2009 in the First International Journal of Andrology, an experiment was conducted among human subjects. The study was conducted to determine the effects of maca extract on white males suffering from erectile dysfunction. The subjects were given maca extract for 12 weeks and the result showed a dramatic improvement when compared before oral administration of maca extract was commenced.

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Health Benefits of Maca Root

2011-07-22T06:35:00.000-07:00

The health benefits of maca root have been known even before the Spanish conquistadors arrived in Peru. People of the Andes have used this indigenous root for centuries, not only as an aphrodisiac and energy-enhancer, but as a powerful herb that can treat many different illnesses. Recently, maca has been used by athletes as an healthy alternative to anabolic steroids. Unlike many other energy- and muscle-boosting substances, maca contains no chemicals that interfere with, or over-activate, normal endocrine function. This is a particularly powerful and balanced food for athletes and those who are looking to combat stress or increase stamina.

Maca Root is a Powerful Adaptogen. An adaptogen is a substance which works with the body's natural rhythms to help rebuild weak immune systems, re-mineralize poorly-nourished bodies, and increase energy and endurance. Maca functions very powerfully as an adaptogen. Each of its almost 60 different phytochemicals aids in the functioning of your body in its own way, but some of them team up to form compounds which have their own unique benefits.

Health Benefits of Maca Root for Menopause. Menopause is a natural progression in a woman's life. This transition is unique for every woman, yet there are ways to prevent and diminish the symptoms that typically accompany menopause. Maca is a known treatment for menopause symptoms like hot flashes, fatigue and even female hormonal problems.

Maca helps minimize mood swings and reduce other menopausal symptoms. Maca root is often used instead of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in menopausal women. While HRT stimulates hormone production and can cause ovaries to atrophy, maca root helps to balance your hormones without causing undesirable side effects.

Improved Libido and Sexual Health. Maca powder is highly in demand in western cultures because of its efficacy in restoring sexual health. Erectile dysfunction patients have opted for this powerful root instead of the prescription medication that comes with adverse side effects. Aside from its effect on enhancing the libido in both men and women, maca has also been proven effective in increasing sperm production and motility, and is often beneficial in cases of sterility. There are also claims that it especially enhances sexual performance and endurance.

Increased Energy and Stronger Immune System. Maca has been found effective in increasing a person's energy levels, encourage growth and stimulate metabolic functions. The nutrients found in this root fuel the system and encourage hormone production.

Pain Relief. Maca powder contains compounds which give it the power to relieve pain and act as expectorant, sedative and analgesic.

The Most Recommended Type of Maca Root. Although you will sometimes find maca as an ingredient in energy supplements, the amounts are not enough to get many of the benefits of pure, unadulterated organic maca powder. You can find more information and recommended products here

Stan Mrak has had a passion for antiaging nutrition and preventive health for over 30 years. Pay a visit to his website at http://www.antioxidants-for-health-and-longevity.com and discover more about the importance of antioxidants for staying young and preventing disease.

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Maca, a Powerful Adaptogen

2010-10-03T00:23:00.001-07:00

No matter how hard we try to avoid it, stress is still an everyday part of our lives. It stems from the daily decisions we have to make, from our interactions with the people around us, and from our environment and surroundings. How well we deal with this stress determines how happy, healthy, and fulfilled our lives are. People looking for ways to help achieve such balance will be happy to know that there are all-natural foods capable of boosting your body's general resistance, making you better equipped to face life's everyday challenges. Such functional foods are called adaptogens, which not only boost your immunity to illness and disease, but also impart a feeling of general well being and accomplishment.

Currently, one of the most nutritious, potent and sought after adaptogens on the market is the powdered root of the plant lepidium peruvianum, more popularly known maca. The maca plant is grown in the forbidding altitudes of the Andes Mountains of South America. It is the plant's root that contains most of its active ingredient, and it is often crushed into a fine powder before consumption. Scientists credit maca powder's special immunity boosting properties with helping the indigenous people of the area adapt and thrive in such harsh environmental conditions.

Maca is more famously known for being a powerful aphrodisiac, libido enhancer, and fertility supplement. In fact, it has been used for this purpose for thousands of years. However, modern science has revealed that maca has plenty more to offer its users than an improved sex life. Researchers and herbalists have discovered that the secret behind maca's potency is its ability to subtly affect the workings of the body's endocrine system. The endocrine system is made up of several key glands and organs scattered throughout the body, which secrete and regulate our body's many hormones. These hormones affect the way that our cells grow, develop, and behave. Our metabolism, blood sugar levels, muscular development, and fertility are just a few of the important bodily functions dependent on the endocrine system. Thus, whenever this system fails to function properly, serious ailments and diseases are often the result. This is where maca comes in handy. Its unique combination of over 60 phytonutrients exerts an equilibrium inducing effect on the endocrine system, making it more effective and efficient.

This special property has made maca one of the most popular functional foods on the market today. People suffering from adrenal or thyroid deficiencies use it therapeutically, and in some cases, some people have been able to stop taking their medications altogether. Couples seeking to reignite their passions use maca as an aphrodisiac, and its users swear by its ability to enhance sexual desire, improve performance, and reduce cases of erectile dysfunction. Women use it to find relief from the symptoms of PMS and menopause, and boost female fertility as well. Athletes and bodybuilders have increasingly come to rely on maca as a safe, all natural replacement for performance enhancing drugs. Teenagers have found maca's hormone balancing capabilities to be extremely helpful in helping prevent and clear up acne. Elderly people on maca enjoy more energy, a reinvigorated libido, and a new lease on life in general. Maca has also been shown to relieve the symptoms of anxiety and depression, which is part of the reason why it is so effective in helping people deal with stress.

Maca's other main advantage lies in the fact that it is an all natural food, containing no potentially dangerous artificial chemicals, contaminants, or compounds, with no dangerous side effects. As a food item, it can be used in the preparation of all sorts of dishes and beverages, and can even be eaten raw on its own. It is this kind of safe, wholesome, healthy, and high quality functional foods that Hidalgo Foods aims to deliver to our customers. We specialize in supplying wholesalers, retailers, and consumers with nature's finest and most potent superfoods. In doing this, we hope to promote healthier lifestyle choices for people of all ages and from all walks of life. As part of this commitment, Hidalgo Foods supplies only the finest maca powder available, sourced straight from the altiplano high up in the Andes Mountains, where the plants are grown naturally and organically, untouched by any artificial fertilizers or contaminants, the same way they've been growing for thousands of years.

Shane Marie Wulf is the article writer of Hidalgo Foods. Promoting different products of Super Healthy Foods like maca, quinoa, chia and acai.

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The Magical Benefits of Peruvian Maca

2008-07-27T23:03:00.000-07:00

Maca root grows in the mountains of Peru at high altitudes of 7,000 to 11,000 feet, making it the highest altitude growing plant in the world. Maca is a radish-like root vegetable that is related to the potato family, and is tuberous and spherical in form. The root itself is about three to six centimeters across and 4.7 centimeters in length. There are four recognized types of Maca Root based on the color of the root. Root color varies from creamy yellow or light pink to dark purple or black.

Chemically Maca root contains significant amounts of amino acids, carbohydrates, and minerals including calcium, phosphorous, zinc, magnesium, iron, as well as vitamins B1, B2, B12, C and E. Peruvian Maca also includes a number of glycosides.

As a nutritional supplement, Peruvian Maca has generalized tonic effects on the biochemical functioning of the human body. Chief among these effects is the enhancement of endocrine function. The endocrine system includes all of the glands, and the hormones they secrete, that exist in the body and that control such conditions as fertility, sexual function, digestion, brain and nervous system physiology, and energy levels. Hormonal regulation is responsible for all of the physiological attributes that enable us to enjoy the myriad sensations of being vibrantly alive, including those related to sexual arousal, physical activity and mental-emotional states of being. Maca root has also been called an adaptogen, which means that it increases the body's ability to defend itself against both physical and mental weakening, hence potential illness. It is believed it achieves this by supporting adrenal and pituitary gland health, both of which underlie proper endocrine function.

Known Modern Applications:

Traditionally, Maca has been used for a variety purposes, which can differ for men and women. For example, women have found it helps relieve the symptoms of PMS and menopause. Women tend to notice a dramtic decline in hot flashes and night sweats. Men have used it to enhance fertility and sexual function. Users of Maca root tend to derive a variety of benefits in accordance with their individual needs. However, both men and women have found that it significantly boosts libido and sex drive, increases energy, stamina and the feeling of general well-being. In fact, recently Maca has been used as an excellent alternative to anabolic steroids among athletes seeking muscle hypertrophy. Unlike many other energy- and muscle-boosting substances, such as anabolic steroids, Maca contains no chemicals that interfere with or over-activate normal endocrine function.

What is Gelatinized Maca?

Choose gelatinized Maca for greater potency and optimal absorption. Gelatinization is an extrusion process that removes the starch from the root leaving a more concentrated powder that is easier to digest. Gelatinized Maca was the form used in the first human clinical study on Maca that yielded great results. Plus if buying in the powdered form, gelatinized Maca tastes much better and mixes easier into food and beverages.

How Can Maca Benefit You?:

Male:
• Increases energy (Chronic Fatigue)
• Treat sexual dysfunction (Loss of Libido)
• Increases stamina & athletic performance
• Nourishes glandular system
• Fertility enhancement
• Improves physical and emotional well being
• Promotes mental clarity
• Balance hormones

Female:
• Treat PMS (Mood Swings)
• Menopause symptom relief (Hot Flashes)
• Sexual stimulation
• Nourishes glandular system
• HRT alternative(Hormone Replacement Therapy)
• Increases stamina & athletic performance
• Increases energy (Chronic Fatigue)
• Balance hormones

Menopause is a natural progression in a woman's life - it is the cessation of menses generally accompanied by symptoms. This transition is unique for every woman yet there are ways to prevent and diminish the symptoms that typically accompany menopause.

Benefits of Maca
• Increases libido
• Deeper sleep
• Balances moods
• Enhances memory and brain function
• Increases energy levels
• Helps adapt to stress
• Slows the aging process
• Lessens aches and pain, more endurance and stamina
• Prevents osteoporosis, high calcium and vegetable protein
• Reverses vaginal dryness

About The Author

Chester Ku-Lea is a health nutrition consultant and is the owner of www.AstroNutrition.com - a provider of premium health nutrition and sports supplements.

chester@astronutrition.com

Maca Herb

2008-07-23T22:24:00.001-07:00

Maca is a plant that resembles a radish and grows in the Andean mountains of Peru. The root of the plant is dried and powdered and used for over two thousand years for anti-fatigue and stimulant uses. Recently Maca has gained popularity as an aphrodisiac herb to increase sexual stamina. Currently Maca is an important medicinal herb export product for Peru.

The Spanish conquistadors "discovered" Maca because they found that the reproduction of their animals was below average in the mountains. On the recommendation of the locals, they used Maca and found that the fertility of the animals increased after eating Maca herb, and used it to increase the production of livestock. Maca herb has recently received worldwide attention as a herb used to increase male endurance during sex.

Apart from improving fertility, Maca herb also seems to possess properties that stimulate the production of hormones by the body. This makes it useful in treating hormone deficiencies, as it is a better alternative to injecting external hormones in the body.

Men have reported stronger erections that last longer, therefor improving sexual pleasure. Men and women both use Maca to improve their sex life in Peru. The herb is growing in popularity all over the world, particularly in the US, Europe and Japan as a vitality enhancing dietary supplement. The growing popularity of this herb worldwide is reflected in increasing areas of farmlands being dedicated to its growth in Peru.

All that might be very convincing and may be enticing too, but how does one go about getting Maca herb. Fortunately, you don't have to go to Peru and pick up the herb from the cultivators there, as there are many commercial preparations available in easy and ready to use forms. You need to be careful before obtaining one of these however. The purity of the herbs used in the preparation, and the dosage can affect the efficacy of the herb. In fact, if you are not careful about these you could end up with even some harmful effects. Thankfully, there are a few genuine manufacturers who provide you with the pure herb.

Patricia McDougall B.Sc. is a Chartered Herbalist and graduate of the Dominion Herbal College, British Columbia, Canada. Originally from Peru, Patricia is the Director of Research and Development for Amazon Botanicals LLC of Newark Delaware. http://www.amazon-botanicals.com/Maca_herb_s/87.htm

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The Natural Way To Improve Your Sexual Life

2008-07-23T22:23:00.001-07:00

Probably, you have heard sometime about Maca. But, do you know what it really is or what benefits it can offer to you? This article is meant to let you know basic information about Maca and its amazing properties as a male sexual enhancer that have proven to be of great help for men with sexual problems.

The scientific name of Maca is Lepidium meyenii, and it is an herbaceous plant which is native to the high Andes of Bolivia and Peru. People of these countries grow it because of its fleshy hypocotyl (a botanical term for a part of a germinating seedling of a seed plant) which they use as a medicinal herb. Peruvians have grown the maca root at altitudes between 12,500 and 14,500 feet, and more usually in very cold climates with poor soil for around two thousand years. Peruvian maca is regarded as a medicine that enhances strength and endurance and also is a great aphrodisiac. It can be cultivated outside the Andes but it is not clear if it has the same constituents or potency when it is ready.

Maca has a very high nutritional value, like that of rice or wheat. It has 60% carbohydrate, 10% protein, 8.5% dietary fiber and 2.2% fats. Besides, Maca is rich in minerals such as selenium, calcium, magnesium and iron, and includes nineteen amino acids and polysaccharides, that is why it is considered as a great herbal energy booster. But, what makes Maca more interesting for men are its reported beneficial effects for sexual function because of its high concentration of proteins and vital nutrients.

That is what makes Maca Enhancer such a great alternative for those men who suffer from any sexual dysfunction like impotence or premature ejaculation. Maca Enhancer is a natural sexual enhancer that can increase the libido and improve semen quality, and having a sperm with higher quality and mobility increases the chances of a successful pregnancy, proving that it is an effective treatment for people with known infertility and find it very difficult to have children.

Maca Enhancer is also good and effective for men who just want to improve their sexual performance or want to increase the size of their penis. This is possible because Maca Enhancer increases the capacity of the erectile tissue of the penis called Corpora Cavernosa, making possible that more blood enter the penis filling the erectile tissue and therefore achieving a longer and thicker erection. And, since this maca capsule is a completely natural product there are no side effects, so it provides an effective and healthy way to improve your sexual health without having to worry for anything else.

Carlos Blake is a freelance writer for health topics.

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Maca is Peru's Natural Viagra

2008-07-23T22:22:00.002-07:00

The South American country of Peru is home to numerous beneficial plants, including maca, a legendary sex-enhancing root passed down from the Inca. I'd heard about maca for years. It has been dubbed "Peruvian ginseng," even though it bears no relation to ginseng. But like ginseng, the plant is employed to increase strength, energy, stamina, libido and sexual function, a winning combination of health benefits if there ever was one.

To investigate maca's health benefits and understand the role that maca plays in Peruvian culture, my wife and I headed down to Peru to explore the maca trail. In the process we met with maca traders, growers and scientists, and came back tremendously impressed by this plant, which is now available as a supplement in U.S. health food stores.

What is Maca? Maca, Lepidium meyenii, is an annual plant which produces a radish-like root. The root of maca is typically dried and stored, and will easily keep for seven years. The plant is cultivated in the Junin plateau of Peru's Central Highlands, and was highly revered by the Inca.

During the height of the Incan empire, legend has it that Incan warriors would consume maca before entering into battle. This would make them fiercely strong. But after conquering a city the Incan soldiers were prohibited from using maca, to protect the conquered women from their powerful sexual impulses. Thus as far back as 500 years ago, maca's reputation for enhancing strength, libido and fertility was already well established in Peru.

Today, maca's popularity is very much on the increase, as people discover that the plant really does boost libido, sexual function and overall energy. Acreage in Peru dedicated to Maca cultivation is increasing every year to meet demand, and a number of scientists have turned their attention to the properties of the root. In Peru,

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The Natural Alternative To Viagra

2008-07-23T22:22:00.001-07:00

Viagra must be one of the best known drugs in the modern world and there are now many 'copycat' drugs on the market. Viagra was originally developed to treat a totally different ailment and its effect on the sexual performance of certain men was an accident, a fortunate one for both the men and, given the drug’s popularity, the pharmaceutical company that makes it. The effect is short term, lasting only a few hours, and the long term effects are not known. Neither Viagra or the other drugs in the same market have any effect on women women suffering loss of libido. Furthermore, anyone with a heart, liver, kidney and some other conditions, would be at severe risk if they took any of these drugs.

There is a natural alternative which has successfully helped both men and women in clinical trials. Maca is a plant grown in the upper Andes Mountains. It has been taken for many centuries by Peruvian women from early childhood. Maca increases energy and has a very beneficial effect on women undergoing the menopause by minimising and often eliminating loss of libido, hot flushes, night sweats, and irritability. The men also experience the same boost in energy and sexual activity, so much so that maca has acquired the nickname ‘Peruvian Viagra’.

Maca works by increasing testosterone levels in men and osteogen levels in women, resulting in a higher sex drive. A reduction in both these hormones is a natural effect of aging, and the reduction in osteogen is particularly evident in women during the menopause and the peri-menopause - the period leading up to the menopause.

Urology, the medical journal which first published the Viagra study has taken the unusual step of releasing the findings of a test of maca, a natural product. The study found that mice fed on the maca root extract exhibited a significant increase in sexual activity compared to others that did not receive maca. Other studies have confirmed the effect on both men’s and women’s libido and have recorded a significant increase in the sperm count.

Unlike Viagra and similar drugs which do have side effects and are too dangerous for a significant group of people to take, maca has no side effects and is 100% natural. It is also considerably cheaper!

Visit the website for more advice on loss of libido in both men and women and the natural remedy.

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The Magic of Maca

2008-07-23T22:20:00.000-07:00

What is Maca?

Maca is a tuber that grows in the Andean plateaus of Peru, at an altitude as high as 14,500 feet. It is the only food plant that is able to survive this high elevation, full of the climactic challenges presented by an oxygen poor environment, freezing wind and intensive sunlight. It has been used by Peruvians, as far back as the Incas, for food as well as for fertility rights and strengthening of warriors prior to battle and endurance sports. Since the 1960’s, however, Peruvian scientists have through research come to a greater understanding of the science behind its medicinal and nutritional potency. This has led to Maca’s growing, world wide acceptance as a supplemental and alternative therapy for many conditions normally treated with pharmaceutical drugs.
How does Maca work?

Maca is adaptogenic, therefore it responds to the needs of the body into which it is absorbed according to the age and gender of the individual. It stimulates the glands of the pituitary-hypothalamus axis to produce needed hormones, thus its effect is not merely over reproductive hormones but also over those secreted by the pancreas, adrenals and thyroid glands as well. This is very important because very few natural products have been proven to have a positive effect on hypothyroidism.
Nutritional Supplement

Maca root is a nutritional powerhouse containing high amounts of amino acids, beneficial complex carbohydrates, vitamins B1, B2, B12, C and E, numerous minerals including calcium, iron, phosporus, zinc and magnesium. It also has significant amounts of fatty acids such as linoleic, palmitic and oleic acids. The presence of tannins, saponins and four alkaloids may also explain Maca’s ability to regulate hormones.

Hormonal Regulation

The sterols in Maca rather than adding hormones to the system help the body to produce its own natural hormones according to its needs. Maca has been shown to alleviate Premenstrual Syndrome, perimenopause, menopause, and erectile dysfunction in men. It also increases libido in both sexes, raises sperm count for men and enhances the ability to conceive for women. It has even been used on young adults with ADD and ADHD with positive results.

Energizer

Maca’s positive effect on the adrenals accounts for its good reputation as an energizer. Most athletic users of Maca report an increase in both power and endurance during cardiovascular and resistance exercise. It is known to reverse lethargy and studies show many patients suffering from chronic fatigue have found some relief from their condition with sustained daily use of the plant.

Anti-Depressant

What is most surprising about Maca are its properties as an anti-depressant. Even though, working in the holistic environment, I had heard about its potential in that area, I was stunned when I experienced its power first hand. I had already been taking Maca daily for energy and hormonal regulation. Upon doing a Whole Person Healing (a 3-day comprehensive holistic and medical work up) with Dr. Helen Ross at the Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center, she prescribed that I double the dosage that I was currently taking. Within 24 hours of making that change my depression was gone, and I felt more emotionally equipped to handle the daily challenges of my demanding job. It was a miraculous transformation that was immediately noticed by myself and my co-workers. The same resilience that maca demonstrates in the wild, is the same hardiness that it brings to the human organism; creating a “can-do” feeling out of what would have been a “can’t cope” circumstance. This is part of the magical chemical signature of the plant. The reason for its ability to regulate depression is not yet fully known, but scientists and holistic physicians postulate that it could be related to both its hormone balancing power and nutritional potency.

Sources of Maca

Maca is most accessible for western users in either powdered or capsule form. The best source of Maca comes from plants that have either been wild harvested or traditionally cultivated (meaning organically and without pesticides) between the altitudes of 13 000 and 15 000 feet above sea level. Plants grown at lower altitudes have been found to be nutritionally and medicinally inferior in lab analyses. It is crucial to make sure that the powder is derived from sun or air dried plants and not from those baked in an oven. Heat has been shown to significantly alter the nutritional content of Maca. Also avoid irradiated sources. The germ count at the high altitude at which the tuber grows is so low that such sterilization is neither warranted nor beneficial. Maca powder can easily be purchased from the internet or at a health food store. Online, I would recommend that you purchase maca from www.rawfood.com or www.treeoflife.nu .

Because Maca is actually a food plant, and not an herb or isolated nutritional supplement, so negative effects of taking the powder have not been reported. This aspect of Maca also makes it possible to take Maca alone, (without food), if preferred.

It is easy to see why Maca was and is revered by ancient and modern Peruvians alike. Perhaps it is just a matter of time before the rest of the world fully succumbs to the magic of maca.

Fadzo Chanakira is a freelance writer that divides her time between Arizona and California, where she both lives and works. In addition to having written holistic articles for print and the internet on a variety of topics, she has a holistic business specializing in nutritional supplementation and truly natural beauty products called Alchemy of Beauty. Her undergraduate studies were in Kinesiology at Occidental College in Los Angeles, California. Fadzo also authors a free bi-monthly e-newsletter called The Alchemical Beauty News. She is currently working towards her Masters in Spiritual and Live Food Nutrition with the College of Living Arts in Patagonia, AZ. She can be reached through her website, http://www.alchemyofbeauty.com or through the Ezine author contact email.

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