Maca Root, known commonly as the Peruvian Ginseng, is considered as a super food whose rich properties make it a natural solution for a wide array of health conditions. Even though science as able to unravel the goodness of this roots only off late, people of the Andes had been using it since time unknown as a staple food as well as for its medicinal benefits. Along with being beneficial for women, it is also helpful for various other health conditions, including hyperthyroidism.
Maca root is a nutritious food used by Spaniards during the 16 the century. It was also considered to be remedy in re-conquest Peru. It is considered to be an adaptogen. Adpatogen raises the non-specific resistance in an organism. It also increases the “power of resistance” and adapts to external conditions. These also help in building up the body’s weak immune system, re-mineralize the body in case it is poorly nourished.
How does Peruvian Ginseng help in improving your health?
1. Cure for hyperthyroidism
This herb helps in balancing the hormones, thereby offering relief from hypothyroidism. Being an endocrine adaptogen by nature, it is rich with various nutrients that stimulate the production of hormones.
2. Helps in managing menopausal syndrome
Women who are in the menopausal phase often experience disturbed sleep, hot flashes, depression, and excessive sweating. The change in hormones is often the causative agent behind these irritating conditions. Weight gain is also prominent among these women. Studies conducted on the impact of maca root on women suggest that it helps in promoting weight loss and easing the various menopausal symptoms.
3. Works as a natural aphrodisiac
Maca roots are rich in various minerals including iodine and zinc and offer a good dose of essential fatty acids. These compounds enable it to stimulate the sex hormones as well as uplifting the mood. While there are no strong scientific evidences to support this, it has been used since centuries as an aphrodisiac.
4. Improves your fertility levels
The roots of maca has been used traditionally to cure infertility, especially among the females. While scientific experiments have been yet conducted successfully on animals, it does offer some promise. Studies suggest that these root has the power to enhance the quantity of pituitary gland’s serum luteinizing hormone. This hormone is responsible for improving the fertility levels in women.
5. Could be beneficial for the functioning of the brain
The lush presence of various fatty acids naturally in the roots of this herbs is known to help in improving the overall functioning of the brain and support the mood. Studies suggest that this it could also help in improving your analytical skills, rational thinking, and even shield your cognitive power. Thus, this herb could be used effectively to prevent age-related cognitive disorders, stress, and anxiety as well as for treating depression.
6. Cure for sexual dysfunction
Studies conducted on this herb suggest that regular use of maca supplements helps in improving sexual dysfunctioning in women. It improves the sexual desire as well as inculcates a satisfaction in women.
7. Improves your energy levels
Roots of Maca are rich wide various essential vitamins, minerals, natural fatty acids, as well as protein. All of these stimulate and enhance your energy levels as well as help in faster recuperation from injuries. According to studies, it helps in improving performance and endurance levels in athletes.
8. Could shield your bones
Women experience a loss in bone density as they attain menopause. Studies suggest that women who use this herb as supplements to a menopause management diet are lesser prone to lose in bone density. Thus, it could be helpful to shield the health of your bones and prevent fractures and osteoporosis.
9. Improves your overall being
Maca roots are good sources of iron that helps in improving your heart health and restores the red blood cells. It also helps in strengthening your teeth and prevent oral issues. Maca roots are rich in protein, with tablespoon of powdered maca yielding 4 grams.
10. Lowers the risk of enlarged prostate
Red maca, a variant of maca roots, help in reducing the size of prostate gland in older men. Many a time, men who use steroids experience an enlarged prostate that could prove to be life threatening. And, regular use of this maca could offer relief from this condition, alleviating the threat.
11. Activates calcitonine hormones
The alkaloid extract of the maca can help in activating calcitonine hormones. These hormones regulate the calcium metabolism as well as that of phosphorous in our blood.
12. Gonadal Function
The alkaloids in maca act upon the hypothalamus as well as pituitary axis, thus resulting in responses that are gender appropriate in response to the functioning of the gonadal.
How to Take Maca
You can take it as such in small amounts as it is a root vegetable. Alternatively, you could use this herb in the form of capsules or powder. Powder can be easily blended with your smoothies or can be used to prepare a tea.
As with all natural remedies, be careful while these roots. Consult with your physician before you include this in your diet!
