FOOD AS MEDICINE | LONGEVITY

The Aging Woman: Maca Root has distinct Properties that set it apart from other Adaptogen Herbs

Maca root looks like a giant bulbous radish and comes in a variety of colors. It grows in very harsh environments such as the remote parts of the Peruvian Andes.

By Mark Zuleger-Thyss

 

 

 

One can appreciate a plant like Maca root, which can withstand very harsh growing conditions—it’s one indicator of how this hearty adaptogen herb can bolster our health when consumed.

 

 

Maca is a medicinal root vegetable revered by the Incan people, who called it the “food of the brain.” They considered it their most sacred plant, believing it brought happiness and balance back to their bodies during times of stress.

Maca belongs to the Brassicaceae family and only grows roughly 4,000 meters above sea level in remote parts of the Peruvian Andes. Maca is a tuberous root similar in appearance to a beet. 

This herb has been shown to reduce hot flashes, night sweats, and heart palpitations related to menopause. It can also ease nervousness and correct disrupted menopausal sleep patterns.

 

It is unlikely that you will come across Maca in your grocery store. Maca is a cruciferous root vegetable—a relative of turnips and radishes. The root comes in various colors—red, black, yellow, and brown.

There are two species of Maca: Lepidium meyeni (wild Maca) and Lepidium peruvianum (cultivated Maca).

Unlike soy or genistein, and black cohosh, Maca contains no plant hormones. The indigenous people of Peru have used it for centuries for hormonal imbalances, menstrual irregularities, fertility, loss of energy, libido, and depression.

Due to its therapeutic properties, the powdered root is now available as a dietary supplement. It has been increasingly used as a medicinal herb by doctors practicing CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine).

 

 

 

Adding Maca to Your Wellness Toolbox

Maca root is a nutritionally dense superfood and is unique in that it affects men and women differently.

Maca is most often recommended for women in perimenopause or menopause. The scientific literature shows that Maca supports the body during these stages of life without changing estrogen levels.

While more research is needed, a small study found menopausal women who consumed Maca experienced fewer hot flashes and night sweats than when not taking it.

When taking Maca to address mood swings or other menopausal symptoms, most women will see an improvement from a few days to two months.

 

Feeling tired, stressed, or have low energy? You could benefit from including Maca into your daily wellness routine.

Women who are in perimenopause or menopause, as well as men who want to boost their sperm count, benefit from Maca.

In Peru, Maca is traditionally consumed in food, and as a tea, but here in the U.S., it’s more likely found as a powder, capsule, or tincture.

 

 

Summary

Maca is a medicinal root vegetable revered by the Incan people, who called it the “food of the brain.” They considered it their most sacred plant, used to bring balance back to their bodies during times of stress.

There are two species of Maca: Lepidium meyeni (wild Maca) and Lepidium peruvianum (cultivated Maca).

While more research is needed, one study found menopausal women who consumed Maca experienced fewer hot flashes and night sweats than when not taking it.

Women who are in perimenopause or menopause, as well as men who want to boost their sperm count, benefit from Maca.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Follow Nature... wherever She may lead You

 

© 2005-2023, Mark Zuleger-Thyss, Garden of Healing, LLC

The web property Garden of Healing dot com is owned and operated by Garden of Healing, LLC; all rights reserved.

GardenofHealing.com | Information and Inspiration for Natural Health and Healing

Garden Healing, established in the U.S.A. in 2005, is an independent, artful journalistic endeavor with content conveying a comprehensive picture of natural health and healing in North America and beyond. We seek to inspire by presenting a global view of developments in the science of healing and medicine from a uniquely American perspective.