Maca is a powerful aphrodisiac dating back to the Incas

Inca warriors drew their strength for battle from maca. After vanquishing the enemy yaro people, Emperor Pachacutec invaded the puna, an eco-region of the Andean Cordillera, and kept cultivation of this herb, its most important resource, for himself. Spanish conquistadors, aware of its importance, later reinstated it as an offering (1).

In Peru, maca is legendary.

Firstly, because it has been cultivated for more than 3,000 years on land at hostile temperatures (relentless sun during the day, intense frost at night). This white-flowered plant grows at attitudes between 3,000 and 4,800 m (2), for example, on the Bombon high plateaus, around Lake Chinchaycocha (4,200 m above sea level).

In addition, is tuberous root, the only edible part, and which can take different colours (black, red, yellow or white) (3) is still regularly consumed as flour used to make bread, soups and even jams (1). Rich in protein, amino acids, vitamins and minerals (2,4,5), its nutritional value makes it a powerful tonic that helps the native people to overcome the extreme living conditions of these territories, where oxygen is in short supply (1).

But above all, maca root is a guarantee of an active sex life for men and women if consumed regularly, even at a very advanced age (1).

The ‘Peruvian ginseng’

Just like the Asian root Panax ginseng, Andean maca is a source of energy and strength. It has adaptogenic and aphrodisiac properties, thanks to its polyunsaturated fatty acid content (macaens and macamides), alkaloids, polyphenols and sterols.

As an adaptogenic plant, maca helps the body to regain balance in stressful or intense situations. It therefore moderates states of anxiety, improves cognitive faculties (such as memory), regulates lipid and glucose metabolism, and helps to combat depression and osteoporosis (2,6).

Various studies conducted to understand its action on sexual function have confirmed that its traditional use is justified: maca does improve libido, sexual activity and fertility (4). It is one of the most effective natural sexual stimulants (1).

In men, it stimulates spermatogenesis (5) and increases physical and sexual performance, as evidenced by the positive results of a study conducted on cyclists (7). It has been demonstrated that maca can correct erectile function disorders and increase testosterone levels (1). The concentration of macaens and macamides seems to explain these benefits (8).

In women, maca eases premenstrual pains (1) and the symptoms of menopause (hot flushes, fatigue, mood changes) (9). It facilitates the production of sex hormones (progesterone and oestrogen) and regulates ovarian function (1).

Our maca, guaranteed quality and effectiveness

Invigorating and stimulating, and with no side effects, our maca is organically grown and subject to rigorous testing, guaranteeing its exceptional quality. It does not contain any environmental contaminants.

Our extract (Organic Macatonic™) is a 4:1 maca tuber concentrate. That is, it requires 4 kg of raw material to obtain 1 kg of extract. The active principles required for its therapeutic benefits guarantee optimal effectiveness.

Discover our extract (Organic Macatonic™), a 4:1 maca tuber concentrate

Bibliography

1. Cebrián, J., & Guarga, J. (2012). Diccionario de plantas medicinales. RBA Libros.
2. Castaño (2008) Maca (Lepidium peruvianum Chacón): composición química y propiedades farmacológicas. Revista de Fitoterapia 8(1): 21-280.
3. Gonzales (2010) Maca: del alimento perdido de los incas al milagro de los andes. Estudio de seguridad alimentaria y nutricional. Segurança Alimentar Nutricional, 17 (1): 16-36.
4. Gonzales (2012) Ethnobiology and ethnopharmacology of Lepidium meyenii (Maca), a plant from the peruvian highlands. Evid Based Complementary Altern Med, Vol 2012, 10 pages.
5. Ruiz-Luna et al. (2005) Lepidium meyenii (Maca) increases litter size in normal adult female mice. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 3:16.
6. Gonzales et al. (2014) Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp), una revisión sobre sus propiedades biológicas. Rev Peru Med Exp Salud Publica 31(1): 100-10
7. Stone et al. (2009) A pilot investigation into the effect of maca supplementation on physical activity and sexual desire in sportsmen. J Ethnopharmacol 126(3):574-6.
8. Zheng et al. (2000) Effect of a lipidic extract from Lepidium meyenii on sexual behavior in mice and rats. Urology 55(4): 598-602.
9. Brooks et al. (2008) Beneficial effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on psychological symptoms and measures of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women are not related to estrogen or androgen content. Menopause 15(6): 1157-62.