Maca’s Many Health Effects
Maca Root is a type of vegetable which is imported from the Peruvian Andes. This Cruciferous vegetable grows at an altitude of 15,000 feet above sea level which makes it one of the few plants that can grow in the highest elevations in the world, where there is significantly less oxygen.
Maca has been in use in Peru for at least 5000 years, though it went through many periods in history where it was used exclusively by those in power.. Maca was thought to be popular amongst certain tribes living in the Andes in early B.C. When the Incas took over the region, they were given this herb (maca is technically an herb), as the people they conquered sent it to them as a tribute. And when the Spanish conquered the Incas, the Incas gave it to the Spanish. And the Spanish sent it on over to Europe.
However, the popular use of Maca, both in Peru and throughout the world, was forgotten until recently. In fact, Maca was nearly extinct in Peru up until 1992. But the rediscovery of Maca’s medicinal properties has led to the creation of a thriving local industry, as well as giving Maca a renaissance in both its home country and worldwide.
Maca Benefits
Maca has been called Peruvian ginseng because of its effects on stamina, and is longstanding amongst the Peruvians, and without any known side effects. Maca Root is used traditionally as both a food source and for medicinal purposes. It’s worthwhile noting that when the Peruvians use Maca in a traditional way, it is first dried then rehydrated when needed. Historically, it was cooked in earthen pits or boiled, mashed, and rolled into balls. It wasn’t consumed raw, and given that scientists now know that Cruciferous vegetables, which Maca is, have substances in them which can be toxic,elements which are destroyed or inactivated with various cooking methods, maybe the ancients intuitively knew this.
Positive attributes of Maca Root include the following:
* Improved sex drive
* Fertility improvements
* better energy and endurance
* Easing of PMS and menopause symptoms
Maca has in fact been very successfully used by many women suffering quite severe pre-menstrual symptoms. Whilst it is not the only PMS remedy anecdotally the indications are that it is one of the most effective.
Maca’s ability to regulate hormones means it actually benefits many female (and male) hormone problems. Women have described trying many medications, including natural progesterone, without great improvement, then going on Maca for a few months and discovering things like their uterine fibroids had dissolved. And one woman who was worried about the link between breast cancer and HRT, stopped taking the HRT she had been on for many years when she discovered this menopause herb. And unlike the other natural menopause treatments she had tried, within a few days of taking Maca she had complete relief of symptoms.
While there are many positive effects with using Maca Root, there are some potential problems which should be considered. Such things would include the following:
* There has been no significant testing for interactions between Maca Root and pharmaceutical medications for birth control or heart medications
* Maca Root should not be given to children as it increases energy and children have plenty of it
* Combined with caffeine the root causes nervousness and hyperactivity
As long as Maca is used sensibly, the effects of it are more positive than negative.
Filed Under: Supplements
