Maca

[Guest guest]

What is Maca?

Thanks.

 

Poppy Davis <poppy wrote:

There are a few hemp protein powders on the market. I like the one from

www.rawfood.com <http://www.rawfood.com/> that is hemp, sprouted flax and

maca all-in-one.

 

 

 

An e-mail from Joanie

" I did then what I knew then, & when I knew better, I did better. "

-Maya Angelou

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

This is from www.rawfood.com <http://www.rawfood.com/> :

 

Maca is a food. Its designation as an herb imparting specific health

benefits is also true, but primarily maca is eaten as a food by people

living in a harsh environment where there is little else.

 

Are there any side effects or interactions? In toxicity studies conducted in

the U.S., maca showed absolutely no toxicity and no adverse pharmacological

effects. In animal studies, the more maca animals consume, the stronger and

more sexually active they become.

 

Historical or traditional use: Maca's history as a powerful strength and

stamina enhancer and libido-fertility herb stretches back well over five

hundred years. Maca is a powerful adaptogen, which means it has the ability

to balance and stabilize the body's systems. Maca can raise low blood

pressure AND lower high blood pressure. Adaptogens also boost immunity and

harmonize the body's overall vitality. Rather than addressing a specific

symptom, adaptogens are used to improve the overall adaptability of the

whole system.

 

During the height of the Incan Empire, legend has it that Incan warriors

would consume maca before entering into battle. This would make them

fiercely strong. But after conquering a city the Incan soldiers were

prohibited from using maca, to protect the conquered women from their

powerful sexual impulses. Thus from as far back as five hundred years ago,

maca's reputation for enhancing strength, libido and fertility was already

well established in Peru.

 

Parts used and where grown: Maca is a hardy perennial plant cultivated high

in the Andean Mountains at altitudes between 11,000 to 14,000 feet. It grows

as a mat-like stem system. Maca leaves grow close to the ground and the

plant produces a small self-fertile off-white flower typical to the mustard

family, which it belongs to. The part we are interested in, is the pear-like

tuberous root of about 8cm in diameter and of a pale-white color. Although

it is a perennial, it is reproduced by seeds which require around 7-9 months

for harvesting.

 

Active constituents: Dried maca weighs in at about 60% carbohydrates

(starches and sugars), 9% fiber, and slightly more than 10% protein. It has

a higher lipid (fat) content than other root crops (2.2%), of which linoleic

acid, palmitic acid, and oleic acid are the primary fatty acids,

respectively. Maca is also a rich source of sterols, including sitosterol,

campestrol, ergosterol, brassicasterol, and ergostadienol. From a mineral

standpoint, maca exceeds both potatoes and carrots in value, and is a good

source of iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and iodine.

 

Other reported traditional uses: Archeological evidence has been found, that

Maca was domesticated over 2000 years ago by the predecessors of the Incas

and primitive cultivars of Maca were even found in places dating back to

1600 years before Christ.

 

For the indigenous inhabitants of the Andes, Maca is a vital and valuable

commodity. Because so little grows in this region, Maca is often used for

trading against other staple food like beans, rice, corn and sugar. It had

been used over the ages for its nutritious and medical advantages. Maca is

rich in sugar, proteins, starches and important minerals, especially in iron

and iodine.

 

Maca can be consumed fresh or dried. The fresh roots are considered a treat.

Even a fermented drink chicha is prepared in some regions.

 

Research on Maca: Peruvians claim that maca improves memory, combats anemia,

and fights depression. Some researchers note that when the body is

well-nourished, libido rises and depression abates; maca's nutrient value

could explain some of these purported actions. The root, which tastes like

butterscotch when it's roasted like a potato, can also be prepared into jam,

broth, puddings, and juices, and contains five times more protein than a

potato, four times more fiber, and less fat. It contains linoleic and oleic

oils (two types of essential fatty acids) and essential amino acids.

 

Maca's actions on sexual function are better researched than its effects on

mood and memory. One study showed that maca increased fertility in rats.

Then came studies of guinea pigs, rams, and cows, each of which corroborated

maca's fertility-enhancing effects. For example, maca significantly

increased ram semen volume and sperm count.

 

Researchers consider plant sterols, isothiocyanates, and glucosinolates to

be maca's active constituents. The sterols have been shown to reduce

cholesterol; this can positively affect erectile response if erection is

compromised by artery clogging fats. And the isothiocyanate p-methylbenzyl

has been shown to increase fertility in humans. Advance word has it that

animal research will soon be published in a major medical journal that

identifies maca's secret agents of sexual desire and energy.

 

The actions of four alkaloids from maca root may also serve to increase

animal fertility. One of the researchers heading current studies on maca,

Peruvian biologist Gloria Chacon de Popivici, Ph.D., suggests that maca

alkaloids act on the hypothalamus-pituitary axis and the adrenals. These

areas of the body produce hormones as well as energizing substances like

adrenaline. The end result could be an increase in energy, vitality, and

virility. Still, no studies of maca itself have been conducted on human

sexual response, despite physicians' claims that maca positively affects

ovarian function in women, and, as mentioned previously, erectile function

in men.

 

Today maca is becoming increasingly popular in Peru among native and

non-native people, and the effects of maca are creating market demand in

Japan, Europe and the United States. Maca cultivation is on the increase, a

number of government experts and agencies are actively promoting maca

agriculture and development, and maca is poised to be a major botanical

product on the international herbal scene. Certified organic, certified

kosher.

 

 

 

 

rawfood [rawfood ] On Behalf Of

Joanie

Saturday, April 30, 2005 11:07 AM

rawfood

[Raw Food] RE: Maca

 

 

 

* What is Maca?

Thanks.

..

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Here is a link to some Maca information,

 

It states that the people of Peru use Maca......... " maca is used much like a

potato in soups " and " known for it's vitamin and protien content "

 

www.american.edu/TED/maca.htm

 

love google !

 

CY

 

 

[Guest guest]

I had the maca in a smoothie. And I've actually tried it more than once. A

couple time were in differet folks' classes and every time it made me breathless

and almost in a panic mode. I have never eaten it alone, always mixed into

something.

 

I have been vegan for 16 years, raw 80 - 100% for the past 8 years, have lived

in Washington almost all my life. Not really big on exercising but am regular

at least with rebounding. My mother seemed to have been in menopause for my

entire teenage years! I'm of Irish & Swedish heritage, if that makes any

difference. Could stand to drop a couple pounds. So whatever that has to do

with menopause there you are.

 

Shari

 

 

[Guest guest]

Well I would say we are different Metabolicly. I am thin , my oldest sister had

very little problems with M.... well accept a mean attitude LOL

and she has a few extra pounds. My other sister is thin and having H F . I

am the youngest. I have the kind of metabolism where I cant take gensing, it

causes irritability and edginess, I have not noticed it with the Maca. When I

was younger and more nieve I had a time in a house with miserable allergies so I

got some Sudafed ( 1/2 tab ) and layed down. 30 minutes later I got up and

cleaned the entire house, went out partied and danced all night then got up with

an aboundant amount of energy the next morning. I said what is in this stuff ?(

I never took even an asprin) the label read " may cause excitability in

children " lol. ( by the way my allergies went away after moving from that

house.)

never could drink caffiene not even decaf and have to watch my Cacao intake.

But somehow the Maca is ok for me.

Maybe when I reach my 8 year mark of being raw I will not need it

anymore.........well lets hope so , I dont want to go through M for that

long...geez lol.

Good for you with the rebounder !

 

Catherine

 

 

-

SV

Friday, March 30, 2007 11:42 AM

Re: Maca

 

 

I had the maca in a smoothie. And I've actually tried it more than once. A

couple time were in differet folks' classes and every time it made me breathless

and almost in a panic mode. I have never eaten it alone, always mixed into

something.

 

I have been vegan for 16 years, raw 80 - 100% for the past 8 years, have lived

in Washington almost all my life. Not really big on exercising but am regular at

least with rebounding. My mother seemed to have been in menopause for my entire

teenage years! I'm of Irish & Swedish heritage, if that makes any difference.

Could stand to drop a couple pounds. So whatever that has to do with menopause

there you are.

 

Shari