Maca (Lepidium meyenii) belongs to the Brassicaceae family and grows in the central Andes of Peru above the 4000 meters of altitude, where it has been cultivated for over 2000 years. The roots can be used in many forms as juice, soup, extract, or processed food enriched with maca flour. Maca has long been used as a food for its nutritional value and medicinal properties linked to fertility and vitality. Based on a long history of traditional use of maca, a wide array of commercial maca products have gained popularity throughout the world as dietary supplements for nutritional, aphrodisiac purposes, chemoprevention and to increase fertility and stamina.

CONSTITUENTS: A more complete description of the composition of dry maca shows 10.2% proteins, 59% carbohydrates, 2.2% lipids, and 8.5% of fibre. Free fatty acids are also present in maca, the most abundant being linoleic, palmitic, and oleic acids. Saturated fatty acids represent 40.1% whereas unsaturated fatty acids are present at 52.7%. Maca also has a wide profile of amino acids, vitamins and minerals. The secondary metabolites macaridine, macaene, macamides, sterols, glucosinolatos and maca alkaloids are only found in this tuber. Macaenes are unsaturated fatty acids. Other compounds include sterols as beta-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol. Different glucosinolates as the aromatic glucosinolate glucotropaeolin have been described within maca. These compounds individually or acting in synergy may be acting favoring the reported biological properties from maca.

LATIN NAME: Lepidium meyenii

USED PARTS: Tubers 

DRYING METHOD: Sun drying

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: macaridine, macaene, macamides, sterols, glucosinolatos and alkaloids

PROPERTIES: Chemical research has demonstrated that maca root contains a family of biologically-active aromatic isothiocyanates. Particularly, p-methoxy isothiocyanate has respected aphrodisiac properties. Because maca is thought to balance hormonal activity, it is believed to be useful in cases of infertility and reproductive disorders. Furthermore, it is thought that maca possibly helps in cases of chronic fatigue syndrome and its ingestion may restore lost vitality and vigor. Additionally, its significant iodine content possibly explains why maca has been used to improve thyroidal symptoms. Additionally, reports have indicated its beneficial impact in some cases of anemia as it is rich in iron. Maca has a high nutritional value, similar to that of cereal grains. This is because it contains carbohydrates (60-75%), proteins (10-14%), fibers (8.5%) and lipids (2%). Moreover, it has a high content of free basic amino acids, especially arginine and lysine, which form the basis of its capacity to regulate the fertility for both sexes. Particularly, the male reproductive cells contain a large amount of arginine. Maca plugs the arginine in these cells and consequently it alleviates fertility problems as well as shortage of libido. Likewise, lysine helps women with fertility problems and menopausal complaints. Several research reported that maca does not affect serum reproductive hormone levels in adult men but rather it improves sperm motility and sperm production in dose-dependent manner and demonstrated that the sexual desire was improved significantly after eight weeks of treatments. This effect was independent of sexual hormone levels (testosterone and estradiol). In addition to all previously mentioned properties, maca also has shown prominent antimicrobial and insecticidal activities.

PREPARATION:  (Dried tubers): Dry,  powder, decoction & infusion & all NON-Standardised Extracts 

 - Antioxidants:  not to exceed 3g per day

 - Mood balance: 2 - 3.5g per day

 - Sexual Health: 3 - 3.5g per day 

Standardised Extracts: Consult a health care practitioner

Duration of use:

- For products providing 0.6 - 3g per day: For use beyond 3 months, consult a health care practitioner. 

- For products providing doses greater than or equal to 3g per day : 

  Menopausal and Post-Menopausal Women only: For use beyond 6 weeks, consult a health care practitioner

APPLICATIONS: Nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, food supplements, food supplements, functional foods, medical food, phytoterapics.

PRECAUTIONS:  Consult a health care practitioner prior to use, in follow conditions

 - If you are pregnant or breastfeeding

 - If you want take doses greater than or equal to 0.6g per day, 

 - If you are taking antidepressants, 

 - If you are taking blood thinners, 

 - If you have high blood pressure 

 - If you suffer from any psychological disorder and/or condition such as frequent anxiety or depression.

For educational purposes only. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease