Maca, a warming mood + energy booster

Settling deeper and deeper into the depths of autumn, and soon, winter, the sunlight hours shift, and the temperatures drop.

Maca root makes an excellent supplement, especially during this time, to counter some of the effects the changing seasons can bring to us mentally, physically, energetically, and even sexually.

Name: MACA
Latin name: Lepidium meyenii Walp

Native to Peru and the high-altitude of the Andes

Maca root, a root vegetable, has been consumed for centuries and has been a staple in the diet of the Andean people.
It has a sweet, starchy, earthy flavor

The basis for Maca’s benefits stems from the many nutrients that it provides – from fatty acids, amino acids, minerals. “It is naturally packed with antioxidants, is high in minerals (calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc, niacin, vitamin C), has up to 20 essential fatty acids, contains lipids, fiber, carbohydrates, protein, and nearly all amino acids.” Hence it’s standing as a superfood.

Fighting off stress caused by the seasonal changes and the hectic holidays can thus be supported by this herb, considering it an adaptogen. In addition, it’s regarded as an energy-boosting supplement without any of the “jittering” effects of caffeine. It’s believed to help prevent spikes and crashes in blood sugar and maintain adrenal health, which regulates mood and energy throughout the day.

But Maca does so much more to help support us…and what benefits our bodies (and minds) helps supports our sex lives.

Quite directly, Maca supports our sexual desires. Enhancing sexual libido is one of the main known uses of this root and has earned it a reputation for assisting sexual function in the body. Although the ways Maca exactly affects the hormones is still a bit of a mystery, what remains absolute is that the minerals and components of Maca play a role in regulating sex hormones. It does not contain any hormones itself.  
However, kindly check that you do not have any estrogen-sensitive or over-active thyroid issues as it may stimulate the body to create more estrogen.

For those who struggle with antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction, Maca was studied “in a double blind study, where dramatic improvements were shown in patients after a 12-week period who had (selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor) SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction, common in anti-depressants, after taking maca root compared to a placebo.”

Furthermore, Maca may help improve mood due to its high fatty acid content and flavonoids which could improve overall cognitive health and reduce anxiety. In a 2015 study, “postmenopausal women were given maca for six weeks and researchers found significant decreases in depression and diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number in a blood pressure reading) compared to those taking a placebo. In addition, there were no differences in hormone levels (estradiol, FSH, TSH, and SHBG), glucose, lipids, and serum cytokines.”

So the seasonal affective disorder you may get during the darker days of winter? Maca can possibly help with that.

Encouraging a richer sex life (which can naturally improve mood,) while possibly simultaneously decreasing the negative effects of anti-depressants, increasing brain health, and yet no hormones? Sounds like a possible path to fight the blues.

Naturally the superfood nutrients in Maca also may boost fertility. If your goal is to have children, Maca can assist with increasing sperm count and motility, which “is the freedom of movement and the ratio of activity versus energy consumption.” In studies on female animals, this plant was observed to increase the luteinizing hormone in the pituitary gland, which is a hormone associated with ovulation and other fertility factors on the body.

For male sex organs, red maca in particular was studied to significantly reduce the size of enlarging prostates. This may be a preventative measure against prostate cancer.

You may take Maca Root as a powder, capsule, or tincture.

Pairs well with hot cocoa and coffee so we’re thinking a warm cup by the fire sounds delightful…

Precautions:

• Maca may affect estrogen-levels so those with estrogen-sensitive conditions (PCOS, Endometriosis, Ovarian Cancer, Fibroids, etc) or overactive thyroids must be careful in considering Maca
  
  
  Kindly note we encourage every one to get to know and become in tune with their own bodies.
  We are not doctors and these are not medical statements.
  We encourage every individual, since we all have different needs and physicalities, to please do their own research before integrating these remedies into your own life.

Stay tuned for our next post with Maca product recommendations…