Maca

Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is an edible, herbaceous, biennial plant of the Brassicaceae family, native to South America in the high Andes of Peru and Bolivia. It is grown for its fleshy hypocotyl which is fused with a root, which is typically dried and can be made into flour for baking or a dietary supplement. Maca leaves can be used in salads, raw or cooked.
The nutritional value of dried maca root is high, similar to cereal grains such as wheat and rice. It contains 60% carbohydrates, 10% protein, 8.5% fiber, and 2.2% fat. Also, it is rich in trace minerals and especially selenium, calcium, magnesium, and iron and contains fatty acids, including linoleic acid, palmitic acid, and oleic acids, as well as polysaccharides.
Today maca is used by athletes to increase endurance and improve performance and as an aphrodisiac. It is considered to effectively treat erectile dysfunction, increase libido in men and women and improve the quantity and quality of sperm. It is also reported to increase fertility, without official clinical results to confirm this. In addition, due to the flavonoids it contains, it is believed to help with menopause, reducing feelings of anxiety and depression.
Health authorities rate maca root and maca powder as generally safe. However, there have been reported cases of women where its use affected their menstrual cycle. Maca is not recommended for hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or fibroids.

Herbs are and should be treated as medicines. We recommend that you always consult your doctor before using them.