Scientific name

Lepidium meyenii

Family

Cruciferae

Origin

Peruvian Andes, cultivated in the Andean area for food at an altitude between 3700 and 4000 meters.

Synonyms

Maca

Used Parts

Drug given by the tubers

Chemical constituents

• Essential amino acids (isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, tryptophan, valine, threonine, phenylalanine);
• Minerals (iron, manganese, zinc, calcium, phosphorus);
• alkaloids;
• Protein;
• Triterpene and steroidal saponins;
• Glucosinolates.

The main interest for this root is represented by the presence of amino acids, including arginine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, leucine, valine, glycine, alanine, phenylalanine, etc. It is also rich in minerals: potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, manganese, iron. The presence of two polyunsaturated fatty acids, maene and macamide, probably responsible for the aphrodisiac effect, aroused particular interest.

Maca online

Maca root extract in capsules is available online. The 180 capsule format has an advantageous price and ensures a product supply for six months.

Maca Root is a superfood rich in B vitamins, vitamin C and vitamin E. In addition, it has a high content of calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, amino acids and phosphorus. The recommended dosage involves taking one or two capsules a day (or as advised by your doctor) to be taken with some food and liquids.

The extract is entirely produced in the United Kingdom, thus ensuring compliance with the highest quality standards. It is also suitable for vegetarians.

Alternatively, you can buy a 100% organic supplement that combines different varieties of Maca root (yellow, red, black and purple), to make a supplement rich in essential amino acids, minerals (calcium, iron, selenium, iodine, potassium, copper and zinc), vitamins (vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin C and B vitamins) and fiber. The product comes from organic farming, has no traces of fertilizers or pesticides or the addition of additives. It is suitable for vegetarians and vegans, and is free of gluten, starch and lactose. The recommended dosage is 4 capsules per day.

Maca in Herbalist: Property of Maca

Maca is traditionally used in the Andean region because it is believed to have the property of increasing male fertility.

Nowadays, it is used mainly as an adaptogen, aphrodisiac and to improve fertility, although these therapeutic applications have not been officially approved.

Generally, the recommended daily dose is 1.5-3 g of dehydrated root per day and a treatment of about 12 weeks is recommended. However, before using the maca or its preparations for therapeutic purposes, it is always a good idea to ask for the preventive consultation of the doctor.

Biological activity

Maca - in particular its root - is rich in carbohydrates, proteins, minerals and essential amino acids, which give it a nutritional value of a certain prominence and importance.

Thanks to this particular composition, the maca is used as an adaptogen remedy, that is as a remedy to improve the non-specific resistance of the organism in response to external stress stimuli, both physical and mental. In fact, maca is now present in supplements and natural products used, precisely, as adaptogens and reconstituents for sportsmen and convalescents.

However, aphrodisiac properties and the ability to increase male fertility are also ascribed to this plant.

These activities - attributed to maca already in ancient times by folk medicine - have been confirmed by some research on this subject. More in detail, a study conducted on adult men showed that taking a maca extract for four months produced an increase in sperm volume, sperm count and motility, without, however, altering the values blood counts of LH, FSH, prolactin, testosterone and estradiol.

Furthermore, a study conducted on animals has also demonstrated an aphrodisiac type of activity carried out by the plant itself.

Maca in folk medicine and homeopathy

The properties of the maca were already well known by the Andean populations who first attributed them the properties for which this plant is today the object of study. In fact, already the ancient Peruvian populations exploited the maca in the medical field to improve psychophysical performance and as a tonic and toning remedy, as well as a remedy to counter infertility and to improve sexual performance.

As far as homeopathic medicine is concerned, however, at the moment the maca is not used in this area.

Contraindications

Avoid taking maca in case of proven hypersensitivity to one or more components.

Furthermore, the use of maca is not recommended even in patients with thyroid, endocrine and / or prostate disorders, during pregnancy and during lactation.

Pharmacological Interactions

• not known.

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