Maca

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a biennial plant or annual plant grown in very high parts of the Andes in Peru for its enlarged hypocotyl, used as a root vegetable. Botanically this herb is related to turnip and radish. The part of the radish that is eaten is also known as a hypocotyl. Maca is the only member of its genus with a fleshy hypocotyl. Maca's hypocotyl is roughly 10-15 cm long and 3-5 cm long in each plant. The plant spreads entirely by seeds which germinate within 5 days given good conditions and have no dormancy.

Related Topics:
Biennial plant - Annual plant - Andes - Peru - Hypocotyl - Root vegetable - Turnip - Radish

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Maca grows well only in very cold climates with relatively poor soil. Though it has been cultivated outside the Andes it is not yet clear that it has the same constituents or potency when this is done. Hypocotyls do not form in green houses or in warm climates.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Maca has been an important food in the region where it grows since approximately 2,000 years before the present. It is regarded as not only highly nutritious by the native people of the Peruvian Andes but also as a medicine that enhances strength and endurance and acts as an aphrodisiac. During Spanish colonization maca was used as currency.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The nutritional value of dried maca root is high, similar to cereal grains such as rice and wheat. It contains 60% carbohydrates, 10% protein, 8.5% dietary fiber, and 2.2% fats. It also contains some iron. Maca's reported beneficial effects for sexual function could be due to its high concentration of proteins and vital nutrients.

Related Topics:
Nutrition - Cereal - Rice - Wheat - Carbohydrate - Protein - Dietary fiber - Fat

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Small-scale clinical trials performed in men have shown that maca extracts can improve sexual desire and improve semen quality. Larger studies are needed to confirm these preliminary studies. In particular, studies on men with sexual dysfunction and known infertility are needed. None of the studies conducted so far show any effect of maca on sex hormone levels. No toxicity has been reported.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Maca is consumed in several ways in Peru. Pit-roasted maca hypocotyl is the most common preparation and is called matia. A thick, sweet decoction of maca is made by boiling it in water for several hours (necessary given the altitude). Dried maca roots are also commonly mixed with milk to form a porridge. It is frequently mixed with other vegetables, grains, or potatoes or made into flour for baking. A weak beer made from fermented maca is known as chica de maca. Maca smoothies, made by pureeing maca with water or milk, honey, cinnamon, and fruit is also gaining popularity according to herbalist Ed Smith.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

References

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Gonzales GF, Cordova A, Gonzales C, Chung A, Vega K, Villena A. Lepidium meyenii (maca) improved semen parameters in adult men. Asian J Androl 2001;3(4):301-3.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Gonzales GF, Cordova A, Vega K, et al. Effect of Lepidium meyenii (maca) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men. Andrologia 2002;34(6):367-72.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Gonzales GF, Cordova A, Vega K, et al. Effect of Lepidium meyenii (maca), a root with aphrodisiac and fertility-enhancing properties, on serum reproductive hormone levels in adult healthy men. J Endocrinol 2003;176(1):163-8.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Smith E. Maca root: Modern redisocvery of an ancient Andean fertility food. J Amer Herbalists Guild. 2003;4(2):15-21.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Valentova K, Ulrichova J. Smallanthus sonchifolius and Lepidium meyenii - prospective Andean crops for the prevention of chronic diseases. Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2003 Dec;147(2):119-30.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

More Info:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~