Maca Root is a form of vegetable which is imported from the Andes Mountains of Peru. This Cruciferous vegetable grows at an altitude of 15,000 feet above sea level which makes it one of the few plants that can grow in the highest elevations in the world, where there is significantly less oxygen.
Maca has been used in Peru for thousands of years, though it went through many periods in history where its' use was limited by those in power.. Maca was grown by a number of more aggressive, war-mongering tribes in the earliest times. When the Incas took over the region, they were given this herb (maca is actually classed as an herb), receiving it as a gift from the conquered. And when the Spanish overthrew the Incas, the Incas sent it to the Spanish. And the Spanish sent it on over to Europe.
However, the popular use of Maca, both in Peru and throughout the world, was forgotten until recently. In fact, Maca was nearly extinct in Peru up until 1992. But the rediscovery of Maca's medicinal properties has led to the creation of a thriving local industry, as well as giving Maca a renaissance in both its home country and worldwide.
What Maca Can Be Good For
Maca has been called Peruvian ginseng because of its effects on stamina, and is longstanding amongst the Peruvians, and without any known side effects. Maca Root is used traditionally as both a food source and for medicine. It's worthwhile noting that when the Peruvians use Maca according to their traditions, it is first dried then rehydrated when needed. Historically, it was baked in earthen pits or boiled, mashed, and rolled into balls. It was not consumed raw, and given that scientists now know that Cruciferous vegetables, of which Maca is a part, have some toxic chemical elements,elements which are destroyed or inactivated with cooking, perhaps the ancients knew more than we give them credit for.
Positive benefits of Maca Root include the following:
* Improved sex drive
* Fertility support
* Enhanced energy and endurance
* Alleviation of PMS and menopause symptoms
Maca has in fact been very successfully used by many women suffering all types of pre-menstrual symptoms. Whilst it is not the only PMS remedy first-hand reports show that it is one of the most effective.
Because Maca has a regulating effect on hormones, it actually benefits a variety of seemingly contradictory female (and male) hormone conditions. Women have described trying many remedies, including natural progesterone, with no significant effect, then taking Maca for a few months and discovering things like their uterine fibroids had dissolved. And one woman who was worried about the link between breast cancer and HRT, stopped taking the HRT she had been on for many years when she discovered this menopause herb. And unlike the other natural menopause supplements she had tried, within a few days of taking Maca she had complete relief of symptoms.
While there are many positive effects with using Maca Root, there are some potential problems which should be considered. Such things would include the following:
* Not much testing has been done for interactions between Maca Root and pharmaceutical medications for birth control or heart medications
* Maca Root should not be given to children as it increases energy and children have plenty of it
* Combined with caffeine the root causes nervousness and hyperactivity
As long as normal precautions are taken, the effects of it are more positive than problematic.
