To
the Andean Indians and indigenous peoples, maca is a valuable commodity. Because
so little else grows in the region, maca is often traded with communities at
lower elevations for such other staples as rice, corn, green vegetables, and
beans. The dried roots can be stored for up to seven years. Native Peruvians
traditionally have utilized maca since pre-Incan times for both nutritional
and medicinal purposes. It is an important staple in the diets of these people,
as it has the highest nutritional value of any food crop grown there. It is
rich in sugars, protein, starches, and essential nutrients (especially iodine
and iron). The tuber or root is consumed fresh or dried. The fresh roots are
considered a treat and are baked or roasted in ashes (in the same manner as
sweet potatoes). The dried roots are stored and, later, boiled in water or milk
to make a porridge. They also are made into a popular sweet, fragrant, fermented
drink called maca chicha. In Peru even maca jam, pudding, and sodas are popular.
The tuberous roots have a tangy, sweet taste and an aroma similar to that of
butterscotch.
This energizing plant is also referred to as Peruvian ginseng (although maca
is not in the same family as ginseng). Maca has been used for centuries in the
Andes to enhance fertility in humans and animals. Soon after the Spanish conquest
in South America, the Spanish found that their livestock was reproducing poorly
in the highlands. The local Indians recommended feeding the animals maca; so
remarkable were the results that Spanish chroniclers gave in-depth reports.
Even colonial records of some 200 years ago indicate that payment of (roughly)
nine tons of maca was demanded from one Andean area alone for this purpose.
In Peruvian herbal medicine today, maca is reported to be used as an immunostimulant;
for anemia, tuberculosis, menstrual disorders, menopause symptoms, stomach cancer,
sterility (and other reproductive and sexual disorders); and to enhance memory.
Maca has been growing in world popularity over the last several years due to
several large U.S. marketing campaigns touting its energizing, fertility enhancement,
hormonal balancing, aphrodisiac, and, especially, enhanced sexual performance
properties. Other (anecdotal) herbal medicine uses in the U.S. and abroad include
increasing energy, stamina, and endurance in athletes, promoting mental clarity,
treating male impotence, and helping with menstrual irregularities, female hormonal
imbalances, menopause, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
? Hot flashes
? Heart palpitations
? Irritability
? Mood swings, sudden tears
? Loss of libido, sex drive
? Anxiety
? Crashing fatigue
? Feelings of doom, dread
? Vaginal dryness
? Inability to concentrate
? Trouble sleeping
? Incontinence upon sneezing, laughing
? Itchy, crawly skin
? Sudden weight gain
? Hair loss
? Osteoporosis
? Bleeding gums
? Increased allergies
? Stomach problems: indigestion and gas
? Painful and sore muscles, tendons and joints
? Breast soreness, tenderness
? Irregular periods
? Disturbing lapses of memory
? Increased muscle tension
? Painful intercourse
? Brittle fingernails
Maca
Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) is a tuberous plant that grows between 3,000 and 4,000 meters
above sea level in the Peruvian Andes. Maca is the only plant that can survive
at this altitude because of extreme weather conditions: brutally hot
temperatures during the day and freezing cold temperatures at night.
The soil in which Maca is grown contains huge amounts of minerals which makes the
Maca plant high in nutritional values, essential amino acids and important fatty
acids. The plant is related to the potato family. Colour-wise it looks like a
potato, but is shaped like a big radish. Maca has a sweet taste. In Peru, Maca
is consumed in different ways: raw, baked or dried. Peruvians make cookies,
tarts, chips and beverages with Maca. In Europe and North America, we mainly
know Maca in its dried form, capsulated or gelatinized. The Maca root can be
dried and powered, after which it can be stored for several years without much
deterioration.
Is Maca a medicine?
Maca is not a medicine. Rather, it is a high-grade nutriment with medicinal
properties. The local population has been using the plant for thousands of years
(see history). Even now, the Peruvians use Maca as a source of energy, as well
as, other countries of South American, North America and in Europe. Maca is
mainly known as "Peruvian Viagra" or "Peruvian Gingseng"
because it helps stimulate the libido of both men and women. But Maca has many
more positive effects (see Libido and Menopause). Maca is a 100% natural product.
There are no known side effects when taking Maca.
History of Maca
The local population of the Peruvian highlands has used Maca for the past 5,000
years as a high-grade nourishment. The Incas, a well-organized and developed
Peruvian civilization, also knew Maca as a plant with medicinal powers. Before
battle, the Inca warriors would eat Maca for extra power. Also, the messengers
and couriers, who had to walk enormous distances throughout the huge Inca
Empire, received Maca from the Inca king. Because of the conquest of the South
American continent, the Spanish became familiar with Maca. Their horses were
weakened and became infertile because of the high altitude.
Maca is a high-grade food because it consists mainly of carbohydrates
(60-75%), proteins (10-14%), fibers (8.5%) and lipids (2%).
The amino acids arginine and lysine effect the regulation of fertility, for
both men and women. The reproductive cells of men contain a large amount of
arginine. Maca fills up the arginine in these cells and in doing so, helps relieve
fertility problems and a shortage of libido. Lysine helps women with fertility
problems and menopausal complaints. Maca contains a lot of minerals: calcium,
magnesium, potassium, iron, silica and traces of iodine, manganese, zinc, copper
and sodium.
EFFECT OF Lepidium meyenii walp (MACA)
ADMINISTERED IN FORM OF CAPSULES OF GELATINIZED MACA TO ADULT MALES, APPARENTLY
NORMAL
This trial has been prepared to prove the
effect of Lepidium meyenii (maca) over the hormonal pattern, sexual behavior and
erectile function; physical well-being and reaction to stress; red corpuscles
and nutritional state for a healthy human being.
The trial took a sample of males between 20 and
40 years old. The men were placed in placebo and Maca groups according to the
treatment received. The trial was prospective and double blind. The trial was
carried out between December 2000 and May 2001 by researchers of Universidad
Peruana Cayetano Heredia (Peruvian University Cayetano Heredia), department of
Sciences and Philosophy and Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura (Institute
of Highlands Researches). The principal researcher was Dr. Gustavo Gonzales, the
associate researchers were Amanda Cordova, Arturo Chung, Arturo Villena, Carmen
Go?ez, Karla Vega, Julio Rubio, Manuel Gasco, Carla Gonzales, Sharon Castillo
and Diana Garayar.
The primary conclusions resulting from the
trial are:
HEMODYNAMIC ASPECTS
? The treatment with gelatinized maca produces
a reducing effect of diastolic arterial pressure.
? Gelatinized maca does not modify neither heart frequency nor arterial
saturation of oxygen.
? During the trial hematocrit is not affected by maca, which an anti-anemic
effect may exist.
NUTRITIONAL ASPECTS
? Gelatinized maca has an important effect as
an energizer.
? Energizer effect may be associated to the increase of serum levels of human
growth hormone.
? Maca has effects over energy reserves acting over body fat.
? Maca does not increase iodine in urine.
STATE OF MIND
? Gelatinized maca improves the state of mind
? DHEA levels increased in a large proportion of the males treated with maca.
ANXIETY
? Placebo decreases anxiety
? Gelatinized maca decreases anxiety from the two weeks of treatment.
STRESS
? The treatment with gelatinized maca
decreases stress.
? The treatment with gelatinized maca reduces the scale of mind renounce,
favoring a better response to stress.
SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION
? Maca improves the level of sexual desire by an average of 180% compared to
the placebo group.
? Maca treatment does not modify HL levels
? Maca increases seminal volume, doubles the count of spermatozoids and
mobility of spermatozoids.
Maca
? Improves the state of mind
? Decreases anxiety
? Decreases stress
? Improves reaction to stress
? Increases adrenal androgens
? Increases sexual desire
? Increases number and mobility of spermatozoids
Friendly
To
the Andean Indians and indigenous peoples, maca is a valuable commodity. Because
so little else grows in the region, maca is often traded with communities at
lower elevations for such other staples as rice, corn, green vegetables, and
beans. The dried roots can be stored for up to seven years. Native Peruvians
traditionally have utilized maca since pre-Incan times for both nutritional
and medicinal purposes. It is an important staple in the diets of these people,
as it has the highest nutritional value of any food crop grown there. It is
rich in sugars, protein, starches, and essential nutrients (especially iodine
and iron). The tuber or root is consumed fresh or dried. The fresh roots are
considered a treat and are baked or roasted in ashes (in the same manner as
sweet potatoes). The dried roots are stored and, later, boiled in water or milk
to make a porridge. They also are made into a popular sweet, fragrant, fermented
drink called maca chicha. In Peru even maca jam, pudding, and sodas are popular.
The tuberous roots have a tangy, sweet taste and an aroma similar to that of
butterscotch.