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By Carmen Mattes, MH
Although Maca, (also called Peruvian Ginseng) was once a
well-kept South American secret, today the plant has aroused
the interests of baby boomers and scientists alike. Maca’s
aphrodisiac-like properties have made it a highly desirable
and sought after plant and studies show that Maca has earned
its reputation as a “rekindler of the lost fires of passion”
honestly.
Indigenous to the Andean mountain plateaus of Peru, this
turnip-like tuber packs quite a punch, featuring an impressive
array of phytonutrients, amino acids, vitamins and minerals.
Grown at and elevation up to 14,000 feet (where no other crop
will survive) Maca’s ability to endure extreme weather
conditions, from scorching sun to heavy frosts is unequalled
in the plant kingdom.
For centuries native Peruvians have known of Maca’s nutritive
and healing powers, along with its ability to increase energy
and stamina, enhance fertility and promote healthy sexual
function. Wise Peruvians have used Maca extensively as both
medicine and food for thousands of years.
MACA REJUVENATES THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
The most exciting news about Maca is that it strengthens and
balances the endocrine system of both sexes in the appropriate
gender-specific manner. Its action focuses on the
hypothalamus/pituitary axis, which in turn governs the
intricate and very delicate hormonal system of the body.
Not only can the reproductive system be re-energized by Maca,
but other important glands of the endocrine system also
benefit from its use. Maca has a positive effect on the
thyroid, parathyroid, the pancreas and the adrenal glands.
Each gland in and of itself becomes balanced and stronger as
it reaps the benefits of excellent glandular nutrition. With
the supplemental aid of Maca, symptoms such as impotence,
infertility, frigidity, PMS, and menopausal hot flashes can
all be corrected in a safe, natural, and affordable way.
The human hormonal system is extremely vulnerable and easily
offset. Judging from the widespread popularity of ViagraTM and
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) treatments, it is apparent
that this delicate system of ours is suffering like never
before. Luckily Maca acts as an excellent counterbalance in
the recovery of good hormonal health for both women and men.
STRESS AND THE ADRENAL GLANDS
When it comes to dealing with stress effectively, proper
functioning of the adrenal glands is paramount. The adrenals
are among the most beleaguered glands in the endocrine system,
as they must endure the brunt of our emotional health on a
daily basis.
It’s critical that the adrenals remain vital and healthy as
they are great providers of many hormones and as they’re
heavily relied upon during menopause and times of stress. As
an adaptogen, Maca tones and strengthens the adrenal glands
and thus the entire body, giving us the ability to resist
disease and to effectively combat stress.
A SAFE AND EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO HRT
Today, many health practitioners are prescribing Maca as an
alternative to Hormone Replacement Therapy. Using Maca is safe
and effective way to alleviate symptoms of menopause (hot
flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings and loss of libido) as
well as a good method to help prevent osteoporosis.
Dr. Hugo Malaspina, MD, a respected cardiologist from Peru,
was of the earliest modern pioneers in the therapeutic use of
Maca. Having successfully used Maca in his practice for over a
decade, the cardiologist-turned-holistic physician says, “Maca
regulates the organs of internal secretion, such as the
pituitary, the adrenal glands, the pancreas, etc. I have had
perhaps two hundred female patients whose perimenopausal and
postmenopausal symptoms were alleviated by taking Maca.”
Dr. Gabriel Cousens, MD, a practicing physician in the United
States adds, “Whenever possible, I prefer to use ‘Maca
Therapy’ rather than Hormone Replacement Therapy because HRT
actually ages the body by diminishing the hormone-producing
capability of these glands. Maca has proven to be very
effective with menopausal patients in eliminating hot flashes
and depression as well as in increasing energy levels.”
Maca works differently on the body compared to estrogenic
herbs (e.g. black cohosh) that are also used in treating
symptoms of menopause. Instead of introducing weak
phytoestrogens into the body, Maca regulates and balances the
entire endocrine system, strengthening and toning the
reproductive glands to promote a heightened sense of
well-being and providing the body with higher levels of energy
and vitality.
 Low sex drive
Impotence
Depression
Irritability
Fatigue
Muscle loss
Fat accumulation
MALE MENOPAUSE
Only very recently have we begun to see that men have a
menopause of their own, known as ‘andropause.’ Commonly
affecting men between the ages of 40-55, andropause is
characterized by a decline in testosterone or the inability to
use existing testosterone.
Testosterone is a very important male sex hormone that aids in
defining a man by acting as a source for masculinity, virility
and energy. When a man’s testosterone levels become depleted,
the results can be physically and emotionally devastating. Low
levels of testosterone are responsible for an array of
symptoms. Below is a list of some common disturbances
associated with andropause:
However, there is no need to despair! While we once thought
andropause was an inevitable part of growing old, we now know
this to be untrue. Today we know that we can in fact turn back
the hands of time and restore men and women’s hormonal
balances to healthy states that previously seemed reserved
only for the young.
Garry F. Gordon, MD, founder and President of the
International College of Advanced Longevity Medicine located
in Chicago, IL, bases his appreciation of Maca on his own
experience with it. He states: “Using this Peruvian root
myself, I personally experienced a significant improvement in
erectile tissue response. I call it ‘nature’s answer to
Viagra.TM’ What I see in Maca is a means of normalizing
steroid hormones like testosterone, progesterone, and
estrogen. Therefore it has facility to forestall the hormonal
changes of aging.”
Maca is the natural answer for hormonal deficiencies! Like
their female counterparts, andropause sufferers can benefit
greatly from the superfood known as Maca.
MACA FOR ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE
Due to Maca’s high concentration of natural sterols, it’s an
excellent supplement for body builders and athletes. Used to
promote lean muscle mass, greater strength and increased
endurance, Maca provides a non-toxic alternative to dangerous
and illegal steroids. The head trainer of a major league U.S.
baseball team reportedly ordered Maca for the entire team as
part of their sports nutrition program after his own
energy-enhancing experience with the plant.
ANTI-AGING & OTHER BENEFITS
One of the biomarkers of aging employed by anti-aging experts
is the health of the hormonal system. A healthy sex drive
exudes youthfulness and is in essence an expression of our
vital life force. Maca slows the decline of an aging hormonal
system, thereby preserving hormones such as DHEA,
progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone, which are
responsible for keeping our libido intact.
Maca is also effective at treating infertility. Animal studies
conducted by Dr. Gloria Chacon, a Peruvian biologist, showed
multiple egg follicle maturation in females and an increase in
sperm production and motility rates in males. This is
excellent news for couples desperately trying to conceive.
Furthermore, this superfood has been successfully used to
treat the symptoms of PMS, chronic fatigue, depression, high
cholesterol, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, anemia, memory
loss and a compromised immune system.
MACA IS BRIMMING WITH NUTRITION
One of the most appealing traits about Maca is that it is both
a food and a medicine. Completely safe and highly nutritious,
Maca can be given to infants and even pregnant women, as well
as people with chronic medical problems.
The Maca plant is brimming with major and trace minerals,
vitamins, alkaloids, sterols, and essential fatty acids. It is
high in protein, calcium, magnesium, linolenic and oleic
acids, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B12, C, D, and E. In total, it
contains over 60 phytonutrients and 31 trace minerals. Maca
has been studied extensively for its nutritive and medicinal
properties and continues to be a plant of great interest to
the scientific community.
Carmen Mattes is a Master Herbalist who has used Maca
personally and in her practice for over two years. She lives
on Gabriola Island, BC with her husband and four young
children. Their entire family takes Maca on a daily basis. |
