Foto : Arvind Balaraman's
Maca roots represent centuries of cumulative selections by indigenous farmers, but it is only recently that scientists and governments have been growing out, testing and saving maca seeds. Because of the increasing demand for maca, both domestically and for export, the area planted to maca has expanded dramatically. In 1994, less than 50 hectares of maca were cultivated in Peru. By 1999, Peru saw a 24-fold increase to 1,200 hectares. Today, an estimated 2,000 hectares of maca are being cultivated. Previously, cultivation of maca was limited to two departments in Peru - Junin and Cerro de Pasco. Production now spans six Peruvian departments Source ethnohealth
It looks like a tiny brown turnip, has a strong smell and what some consider a disgusting taste, but Peru's ''miracle'' maca can boost your sex drive by up to 200 percent, according to a study presented some time ago.
Maca has been used medicinally for centuries in Peru to enhance fertility in humans and animals. Soon after the Spanish Conquest the Spanish found that their livestock were reproducing poorly in the highlands. The local Indians recommended feeding the animals Maca Root and so remarkable were the results that Spanish chroniclers gave in-depth reports. Even Colonial records of some 200 years ago indicate that payments of roughly 9 tons of Maca Roots were demanded from one Andean area alone for this purpose. Its fertility enhancing properties were supported clinically as early as 1961, when researchers discovered it increased the fertility of rats.
This energizing plant is also referred to as Peruvian ginseng, although Maca Root is not in the same family as ginseng. Today ongoing studies are being performed to scientifically prove the benefits for fertility in men and women.
The nutritional value of dried Maca Root is high, resembling cereal grains such as maize, rice and wheat. It has 59% carbohydrates, 10.2% protein, 8.5% fibre and 2.2% lipids. It has a large amount of essential amino acids and higher levels of iron and calcium than potatoes. Maca Root contains important amounts of fatty acids including linolenic, palmitic and oleic acids. It is rich in sterols and has a high mineral content as well. In addition to its rich supply of essential nutrients, Maca Root contains alkaloids, tannins and saponins. A chemical analysis conducted as far back as 1981 showed the presence of biologically active aromatic isothiocyanates, especially p-methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate, which have reputed aphrodisiac properties. Initial analysis of Maca Root indicates that the effects on fertility are a result of the glucosinolates.
"Maca" is growing in world popularity due to its energizing effects, fertility enhancement and aphrodisiac qualities.
Other traditional uses include:
Today, dried Maca roots are ground to powder and sold in drug stores in capsules as a medicine and food supplement to increase stamina and fertility.
Maca: Menopause Symptoms
Are you going through uncomfortable mood swings and frustrating hot flashes? Are you having sleep difficulties? Maca is a natural and healthy alternative to dramatically ease your symptoms during peri- menopause, menopause, and post-menopause.
Low or High levels of estrogen are a common problem to many
women, which bring frustrating consequences to their health. Maca root will dramatically fix these problems. Maca acts as a hormonal regulator that will bring your body to its proper balance. As a result, maca will alleviate menopausal and painful menstrual symptoms. What's more, maca will increase your energy, reduce your stress, and even help you overcome depression. Get rid of hot flashes now! You won't be disappointed; all maca benefits are achieved in a very healthy way, and are only a result of natural hormonal balancing.
Dr. Malaspina First found out about maca through a group of sexually active older men who were taking the herb with good results. "One of these groups started taking maca and found he was able to perform satisfactorily in a sexual relationship with a lady friend. Soon everyone in the group began drinking the powdered maca as a beverage and enjoying the boost that the root was giving their hormonal functions. I have several of these men as patients, and their improvement prompted me to find out more about maca and begin recommending it to my other patients."
Aguila Calderon, M.D., Is the former Dean of the Faculty of Human Medicine at the National University of Federico Villarreal in Lima. He says, "Maca has a lot of easily absorbable calcium, plus magnesium and a fair amount of silica. We are finding it very useful in treating the decalcification of bones in children and adults." In his practice, Dr. Calderon uses maca for male impotence, erectile dysfunction, menopausal symptoms, and general fatigue.
Chicago physician Gary F. Gordon, Former President of the American College for Advancement in Medicine, is also a maca supporter. "We all hear rumours about various products like maca," he says. "But using this Peruvian root myself, I personally experienced a significant improvement in erectile tissue response. I call it nature's answer to Viagra. What I see in maca is a means of normalizing our steroid hormones like testosterone, progesterone, and estrogen. Therefore it has the facility to forestall the hormonal changes of aging. It acts on men to restore them to a healthy functional status in which they experience a more active libido." It's a miracle product, said Fernando Cabieses, a professor and authority on maca, a plant he said was a nutritional gem for people of all ages. ''According to reports from the international medical community, the plant definitely has energy-giving properties, boosts physical and sexual performance ...
Since maca is a food; it is used in much higher doses than most other medicinal herbs and can also be used over a long period of time without harmful effects. A minimum of 10g per day of the dried root is required for you to notice any real benefit, with 25g being the recommended amount and you can increase this considerably if you so desire.
Source: peruvian-maca
Peruvian-Maca.com started operations in 1999 between Peruvian Products of Houston, TX and Amazon Nutrition of Peru
(www.amazon-nutrition.com) formerly known as PTN S.A.
Peruvian-Maca.com has since become an internet leader supplier of
Maca products in different presentations.
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