Maca Root is a form of vegetable which is imported from the Peruvian Andes.  This vegetable grows at an altitude of 15,000 feet above sea level which makes it unique in that it 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 it was used exclusively 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 found this herb (maca is actually classed as an herb), as the people they conquered sent it to them as a tribute. And when the Spanish threw out the Incas, the Incas gifted it to the Spanish. And the Spanish sent it on over to Europe.

Maca slid into obscurity, even in Peru, until it was rediscovered not so long ago. In fact, Maca was nearly extinct in Peru up until 1992. But the rediscovery of Maca’s therapeutic qualities has spearheaded a thriving local industry, as well as giving Maca a renaissance in both its home country and worldwide.

Using Maca

The use of Maca Root, also known as Peruvian ginseng, is longstanding amongst the Peruvians, and without any known side effects.  Maca Root is used traditionally for both food and for medicine. It’s worthwhile noting that when the Peruvians use Maca according to their traditions, they actually dry it out first then rehydrate when needed. Historically, it was cooked in earthen pits or boiled, mashed, and rolled into balls. It wasn’t consumed raw, and given that scientists now know that Cruciferous vegetables, which Maca is, have substances in them which can be toxic,substances which are destroyed or inactivated with cooking, perhaps the ancients knew more than we give them credit for.

Positive attributes of Maca Root include the following:

* Improved sex drive
* Fertility improvements
* better energy and endurance
* Easing of PMS and menopause symptoms

Maca has been a god-send for many women suffering quite severe 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 many female (and male) hormone conditions. Women have described trying many remedies, including natural progesterone, with no significant effect, then going on 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, finished with HRT altogether when she discovered this menopause herb. And unlike the other natural menopause treatments she had tried, within a few days of taking Maca she was completely free of symptoms.

While there are many positive benefits with using Maca Root, there are some issues which should be given serious thought.  Such things might include the following:

* There has been no significant testing 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 Maca is used sensibly, the effects of it are more positive than negative.