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Legend
has it that Inca warriors would consume maca
before entering into battle. This would make
them extremely strong. But after conquering
a city, the Incan soldiers were forbidden from
using maca to protect the conquered women from
the warrior's powerful sexual impulses!
From as far back as 500 years ago, maca's reputation
for enhancing strength, libido and fertility
was well established in Peru. |
Maca Lepidium Peruvianum Chacon, is
a turnip-like root that grows at a high elevation
in the Peruvian Andes Mountains. Prized by the Incas
and later by the Spaniards, maca is now emerging
from obscurity and near-extinction to take its place
among the most valuable herbs known to mankind.
It contains large
amounts of calcium and potassium, as well as iron,
silica, and many trace minerals.
The probable origin of the genus
Lepidium (maca) has been traced back to the Mediterranean,
where the majority of related diploid species (two
similar complements of chromosomes) are found. As
a food staple, Lepidium meyenii was likely domesticated
in San Blas, Junin, between 1300-2000 years ago,
by the Incas, and primitive cultivars of maca have
been found in archaeological sites dating as far
back as 1600 B.C.
Native Peruvians traditionally have utilized maca
since pre-Incan times for both nutritional and medicinal
purposes. It is an important staple in the diets
of these people, as it has the highest nutritional
value of any food crop grown there. It is rich in
sugars, protein, starches, and essential nutrients
(especially iodine and iron). The tuber or
root is consumed fresh or dried. The fresh roots
are considered a treat and are baked or roasted
in ashes (in the same manner as sweet potatoes).
The dried roots are stored and, later, boiled in
water or milk to make a porridge. They also are
made into a popular sweet, fragrant, fermented drink
called maca chicha. In Peru even maca jam, pudding,
and sodas are popular. The tuberous roots have a
tangy, sweet malty taste and an aroma similar to
that of butterscotch.
The species L. meyenii was described by Gerhard
Walpers in 1843. It has been suggested that the
cultivated maca of today is not L. meyenii but a
newer species L. peruvianum Chacon, based on various
specimens collected since 1960 in the district of
San Juan de la Jarpa, in Huancayo province.
While most maca sold in commerce today
still refers to the L. meyenii name, economic botanists
believe most is L. peruvianu. In 1994 less than
50 hectares (123.55 acres) were devoted to the cultivation
of maca; by 1999 over 1200 hectares (2965.2 acres)
were under production due to rising demand in the
US and abroad.
Maca has been growing in world popularity over the
last several years due to its energizing,
fertility enhancement,
hormonal balancing,
aphrodisiac, and, especially,
enhanced sexual performance properties. Other (anecdotal)
herbal-medicine uses include increasing energy,
stamina, and endurance in athletes, promoting mental
clarity, male impotence, and helping with menstrual
irregularities, female hormonal imbalances, menopause.
In Peruvian herbal medicine, maca
is also reported to be used as an immunostimulant.
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The
cultivation of maca is increasing in the highlands
of the Andes to meet the growing demand worldwide;
it is hoped that this demand will be sustained
and not a trend of another passing fad. In this
severely economically-depressed region, the
market created for maca will offer new and important
sources of income for the indigenous peoples
of the Andes. |
FDA-Required Statement: Information
on this site is provided for informational purposes
and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided
by your own physician or other medical professional.
You should not use the information contained herein
for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease,
or prescribing any medication. You should read carefully
all product packaging. If you have or suspect that
you have a medical problem, promptly contact your
health care provider. Information and statements
regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated
by the Food and Drug Administration and are not
intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any
disease.
*Maca
Live™ is not recommended for
women on birth control.
We cannot guarantee that you will
not get pregnant.
**If you are on Thyroid medication
check with your doctor after being
on maca for a few months. It has
been know to stimulate the thyroid
to work and you may need to lower
your medication. It can be dangerous
if you have too much thyroid medication
in your system.
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