MACA (Lepidium meyenii)

Supplement: maca root Potency: 500mg Quantity: 100 capsules Other ingredients: gelatin, silica, microcrystalline cellulose, magesium stearate. Price: £6.50 Click here for the order page Contraindications: maca is not recommended for use by those with thyroid conditions or during pregnancy or breastfeeding

Further information on Maca

Habitat: The only habitat of Maca is the inhospitable land of the high Andes of Peru and Bolivia, where apart from Maca very little else is able to grow. The land at that altitude has poor and rocky soil and is exposed to intense sunlight, violent winds and below freezing temperatures, but over the course of time the Maca plant learned to survive and prosper under these extreme conditions. Maca is renowned as the highest altitude growing plant in the world.

Characteristics and properties: It is believed that Maca was cultivated as early as 4000 BC, but it was most likely fully domesticated between 1200 and 100 BC by the Pumpush, fierce warrior tribes that migrated up from the jungles. It continued to be cultivated throughout the Andean highlands and was brought to greater perfection by the Yaro, who arrived between 1100 and 1470 AD. They cultivated immense fields of Maca as they prized its fertility and aphrodisiac properties. After the Inca conquest of these tribes, they sent great quantities to Cusco as tribute to their new rulers. In their turn, the conquered Incas paid tribute to the Spanish in Maca and in 1549 it is listed in the records as the only item sent as tribute to the colonial government.

In addition to its renowned fertility and aphrodisiac qualities, maca was also reputed to be a general tonic and revitalisor and as a regulator of menstruation, reliever of symptoms of menopause, an anti-arthritic and helpful in respiratory maladies, lack of appetite, convalescense, memory loss and mental debility. It's no wonder traditional consumers of Maca have a saying that "maca is life, maca is health". 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 and a number of glycosides.

In modern times maca is regarded as having a general tonic effect 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.

Culinary uses: For the indigenous inhabitants of the Andes, Maca has always been an important food as very few other crops can be cultivated in the region. Maca can be consumed fresh or dried. The fresh roots are considered a delicacy and are roasted over fire or in ashes similar to the preparation of the sweet potato (batata). The root can also be mashed and boiled to produce a sweet, thick liquid, dried and mixed with milk to form a porridge or with other vegetables or grains to produce a flour that can be used in baking. If fermented, a weak beer called chicha de maca can be produced. The leaves can also be prepared raw in salads or cooked much like garden cress and pepperwort, to which it is genetically closely related.

History and curiosities: It is often claimed that maca was given to Inca imperial warriors to eat before battles. The legendary strength of the warriors is allegedly explained by their high maca diet bestowing them with formidable physical prowess. After a city was conquered, the women therein are said to have needed protection from the Inca warriors, as in addition to their strength they were also ambitiously virile from their maca consumption.

After the Incas were overrun, Maca was accepted by the Spanish as a form of payment for their imperial taxes.