Maca Root Powder

The maca plant, known scientifically as Lepidium meyenii, is sometimes referred to as Peruvian ginseng. It mainly grows in the Andes of central Peru, in harsh conditions and at very high altitudes — above 13,000 feet (4,000 meters).

Maca is a cruciferous vegetable that’s related to broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and kale. It has a long history of culinary and medicinal use in Peru. The main edible part of the plant is the root. It exists in several colors, ranging from white to black.

Maca root is generally dried and consumed in powder form, but it’s also available in capsules and as a liquid extract. The taste of maca root powder, which some people dislike, has been described as earthy and nutty. Many people add it to their smoothies, oatmeal, and sweet treats.

Maca root powder is high in carbs and rich in a number of nutrients, including vitamin C, copper, and iron. It also contains many bioactive plant compounds.
It increases sex drive in both men and women, helps increase sperm concentration and improve sperm quality, potentially enhancing fertility in men, can improve symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes and disrupted sleep at night and may improve your mental well-being and mood by reducing depression and anxiety, especially in menopausal women.
Supplementing with maca may improve exercise performance, particularly during endurance events. However, its effects on muscle mass and strength have yet to be studied.
When applied to the skin, maca extract may help protect it from the sun’s UV rays.

Maca is easy to incorporate into your diet. It can be taken as a supplement or added to smoothies, oatmeal, baked goods, energy bars, and more.
The optimal dose for medicinal use has not been established. However, the dosage of maca root powder used in studies generally ranges from 1.5–5 grams per day.