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Maca introduction

• Lepidium meyenii
• What is maca?
• Maca effects
• Maca nutrition
• Maca root

Why Maca?

• Maca and sport
• Maca and libido
• Maca and fertility
• Menopause
• Maca benefits

Using Maca

• Maca and thyroid
• Maca dosage
• Maca side effects

Maca products

• Maca recipes
• Raw maca
• Maca powder
• Energy bars
• Maca capsules
• Maca extract
• Gelatinized maca
• Organic maca

According to folk belief, maca is an aphrodisiac which enhances sexual drive and female fertility in humans and domestic animals. Researchers claim Maca acts on certain areas of the body that produces naturally hormones and substances which is why it has been experienced enhanced libido, increased potency in men, stamina, improved memory, among others.

Due to specific and harsh climate in Peru, only few crops can be cultivated. Since Inka time Maca served as a main source of valuable nutrients.

Lepidium meyenii or Maca is a starch plant – belonging to the brassica family. This cruciferous Maca root from the Andes of Peru has one of the highest frost tolerances among other native cultivated plants, since it is able to grow where only alpine grasses and bitter potatoes thrive.

The species in the Brassicaceae are classified in three large cosmopolitan sections – Dileptium, Monoploca and Lepidium. The genus Lepidum belongs to tribe Lepidieae and section Monoploca of the Brassicaceae family. There are different types of Maca ranging in colors from white to dark purple. According to research, black maca has better effects on sperm production than yellow Maca (yellow Maca has only moderate effects). Red maca has no clear effect on sperm production, but it has been shown that red Maca can reduce prostate size in rats.

The maca plant is a rosette of frilly leaves with an enlarged fleshy underground hypocotyl. At the end of the growth the plant forms an organ similar to a turnip which is the product of Maca. The hypocotyls can have a variety of colors from purple to cream and yellow.

Good to know: Fresh Maca contain 80% water. Dry Maca contains: 59% carbohydrates, 10.2% proteins, 8.5% fiber, 2.2% lipid, large amount of essential amino acids, Fe, Ca (higher levels than the white potato), Alkaloids, Fatty acids, of which linoleic, palmitic and oleic acids are the most important. Rich in nutritional content, this root is a natural hormonal balancer which provides health benefits (Maca benefits) for both, men and women.