Ever heard of maca? If you spend any time at health food stores, or with nerdy holistic nutritionists like me, chances are you’ve heard of it, as it’s becoming a popular supplement!
What is maca, anyway? Where does it come from and what does it do?
Maca is a root vegetable, primarily grown in the high Andes mountains in Peru. It’s somewhat similar to radishes and turnips, and people in Peru have used it for thousands of years as a staple ingredient in porridges, soups, breads, and even beer. It’s also been used as a medicinal herb and aphrodisiac (yup!).
Here in North America, I’m not sure where you could find an actual maca root to chop up and bake in your oven, or grind up yourself into flour – here, it’s sold in dried powdered form, or as capsules. Time to hit up your local health food store!
What’s it good for?
Maca has been used to increase energy and stamina, reduce stress and anxiety, and boost sexual function and desire. (If that’s not enough to get you excited, read on!)
The main reason why maca is so beneficial in all these areas is due to its adaptogenic properties –
Wait, wait, wait – what’s an adaptogen?
An adaptogen is a herb that helps the nervous system deal with chronic stress, without overstimulating, weakening, or exhausting the body. It’s like caffeine, without all the negative side effects. Move over, coffee! When taken on a regular basis, adaptogens like maca can help us cope with daily stress and boost energy. I know you’ve heard of ginseng – it’s also an adaptogen. Maca’s been called the ‘Peruvian ginseng’!
Think about this for a second: maca grows where no other crops can be cultivated. In the Andean highlands, about 3800-4400m above sea level, plants – and people – are exposed to cold temperatures, frost, extreme winds, and intense sunlight. The fact that maca can withstand these conditions is pretty cool, so it’s no surprise that it can help us withstand certain stressful conditions in our own lives! And on a side note: almost all maca production is organic, because the harsh climate is undesirable for pests and weeds.
Now, what’s all this talk about improving sex drive and stuff?
(I knew you were wondering.) In different trials on men, maca has been found to boost libido, as well as improve sperm production and motility. In women, maca seems to have a hormone balancing effect, regulating the menstrual cycle and/or alleviating menopausal symptoms. For these reasons, it’s been used traditionally to boost fertility in both men and women (and livestock in South America!). Ever notice you don’t really feel in the mood when you’re stressed to the max and tired as heck? Enter adaptogens like maca.
By this point you may be interested in checking out this root, to see what it can do for you – here are some suggestions and things to consider:
- Try gelatinized maca – gelatinization gently removes the tough fibres that are difficult to digest, which improves absorption of all the sweet goodness this root has to offer.
- Maca has an interesting flavour; some describe it as butterscotch-like. Some people like to sprinkle it directly on their foods, but for me, I’ve found the best way to incorporate it is in smoothies.
- A little goes a long way! In fact, it’s important to start with a tiny amount (¼ teaspoon) and gradually work your way up to a teaspoon. If you’re taking capsules, start with 750mg and work your way up to a maximum of 3000mg per day.
- No adaptogen should be taken long-term. Use maca for up to 6 weeks, then take a break for a few weeks and/or try a different one…ginseng, ashwagandha, rhodiola, nettle, cordyceps…so many adaptogens, and lots of time to try ’em all!
- Maca may not be for everyone – avoid it if you’re sensitive to nightshades (eggplant, potatoes, peppers, tomatoes) or if you have kidney disease. If you’re on hormone replacement therapy, the birth control pill, diuretics, or are pregnant/nursing, use it with caution. (Please, use anything with caution…except maybe kale.)
So what do you think? Do you have any experience using maca? I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and let me know if you dig this root as much as I do! (See what I did there…?) 🙂 Plus, I would love it if you could help me spread the word about Maca by clicking the social media links below. Thanks!
Woohoo! The Naked Label loves Alex James. We love her passion for food, her sense of humour, and her awesome ability to undress food! If you haven’t done so yet, definitely check her out on her facebook page to see what daily inspiration she is sharing today.
Photo credit: Alex James
Sources:
http://www.nationalnutrition.ca/
http://www.macarootpowder.org/
http://altmedicine.about.com/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/
http://myvega.com
http://www.webmd.com/
