Superfood Maca is native to the mountains of Peru and is cultivated as high as 4300 meters above sea level. It has been used for over 3500 years and legend claims that during the peak of the Incan empire, the warriors consumed maca before going into battle to ensure super strength and stamina. On return from battle however, Incan soldiers were prohibited from using maca in order to protect the women from their insatiable sexual desires. Maca is renowned for providing strength, endurance and enhanced libido.
So what is maca?
A member of the cruciferous tribe such as kale and cabbage, maca is abundant in potassium, magnesium, calcium, sulfur, iron, sodium and phosphorous and also contains trace minerals which includes iodine, zinc, selenium, bismuth, copper, magnese, tin and silicon. It is also rich in vitamins B1, B2, C and E.
Maca has the ability to stabilise and balance the body’s glandular – hormonal system, nervous system, cardiovascular system and musculature. This makes it great for managing hormones, stress, thyroid and your mood in general.
According to David Wolfe, maca is great if you suffer from:
Anaemia
Chronic fatigue
Depression
Infertility and sterility
Lack of libido
Malnutrition
Menopausal symptoms
Menstrual discomfort and disorders
Poor memory
Stomach cancer
Stress tension
Tuberculosis
How to use it and where to get it?
Seeing as maca is a superfood it can be used in greater quantities than other medicinal herbs. It has also found to be safe to use long term. You can purchase it online or at most health food stores in dried, raw, organic food. Look for the real deal and only buying from the root, not other parts of the plant.
Use a tablespoon in smoothies, juices, nut milks, tea or coffee, or add to your raw chocolate treats.
Here’s a recipe to get you started:
Blend 2 frozen bananas
2 fresh bananas
3 medjool dates
200mls of filtered water (or your favourite nut milk)
1 heaped teaspoon of maca root powder
Sprinkle with cacao nibs.
David Woolfe also claims that maca has a special relationship with cacao so use them together regularly to experience the culinary sensation 🙂
Reference: Woolfe, D. (2009). Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future.
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