Maca, Vitality Secret of the Inca
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EnErgy / Vitality Maca, Vitality Secret of the Inca From Terry: In this issue of Terry Talks Nutrition, I will explore To your good health, It is my pleasure today to introduce a special guest, the history behind this truly amazing plant, its Terry... Naturally Chris Kilham, the Medicine Hunter. Chris explores medicinal uses, and why it can make a tremendous the world in search of plants with medicinal powers. difference in your personal strength, stamina, endur- He has the unusual title of “Explorer in Residence” at ance and outlook. the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he teaches the popular ethnobotany course, The What is Maca? Shaman’s Pharmacy™. As the author of 14 books, Maca, Lepidium meyenii, is the only crucifer- Chris uses his experiences traveling the world ous plant native to Peru. The cruciferous plants in search of natural medicines to illuminate the include rapeseed (the source of canola oil), rad- unknown. An advocate for the rights of indigenous ish, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, peoples and preservation of tribal wisdom, Chris is watercress and a number of other important a certainly a bridge between worlds. food crops. Maca is an annual plant that produces sexual effect in humans. The Inca considered maca a radish-like tuber which matures within approxi- to be a gift from the gods, along with potatoes and Chris is a rising star in national media. He is the host mately seven months after seeds are planted. The corn. Maca was so highly prized by the Inca, that at of Medicine Trail™, a series of television specials on root of maca is typically dried and stored, and will the height of their civilization, it was used as a form medicinal plants shot on location around the world. keep without spoiling for seven years. of currency. The Spanish, plunderers of all Incan The first two programs, shot in Peru and Malaysia, riches, discovered in maca a worthy aphrodisiac. are currently in international distribution, with more Fresh Maca roots Medicine Trail specials upcoming. Additionally, he During the height of the Incan empire, legend has has appeared many times with America’s Doctor™, it that Incan warriors would consume maca before Dr. Mehmet Oz , on his popular television show. entering into battle. This would make them fiercely Chris has a blog on the FOX News Website, and has strong. But after conquering a city the Incan soldiers been featured in many entertaining TV segments were prohibited from using maca, to protect the con- with Dr. Manny Alvarez. CNN has called Chris “The quered women from their powerful sexual impulses. Indiana Jones of natural medicine,” and I think that Thus from as far back as five hundred years ago, is an accurate description of this botanical enthusi- maca’s reputation for enhancing strength, libido ast, world traveler, and wilderness adventurer. and fertility was already well established in Peru. History of Maca Use (Hermann, NRC, Johns, Leon) Today, he is going to share with us information on Maca is believed to have been cultivated in the the amazing Peruvian power plant—Maca! Junin plateau of Peru’s Central Highlands as far Maca’s Expansion Beyond Peru back as 2,000 years ago. The Inca were sophisticat- Today maca is popular in Peru among both native ed architects, builders, and cultivators of the land. and non-native people, and the effects of maca are KEy WordS Among the many treasures held by the Inca and creating market demand in Japan, Europe and the maca, energy, endurance, erectile garnered by the Spanish was maca. When Spanish United States. Maca cultivation is on the increase, dysfunction, libido, hyposexual, stamina, conquistadores ventured into the high altitude of a number of government experts and agencies are actively promoting maca agriculture and develop- strength, SSRI, depression, female Peru’s central highlands, they became concerned for the health and fertility of their livestock, espe- ment, and maca is poised to be a major botanical sexual dysfunction, athlete, exercise cially their horses. In the highlands, there were no product on the international herbal scene. grasslands for grazing, and the thin air and hostile A Special Report By Chris Kilham, climate produced a precipitous drop in animal Maca grows in a limited geographic area at eleva- Medicine Hunter fertility. The Inca recommended that the Spanish tions between 10,000 and 15,000 feet. The pri- feed their horses the root-like maca, which grew mary area of maca cultivation is the Junin plateau, Maca, Vitality Secret of the Inca abundantly in the area. The Spanish followed this where approximately one thousand acres of maca From the high Peruvian Andes mountains comes advice, and were thus able to keep their horses well are grown annually, mostly in small family plots. maca, a plant reputed to enhance overall vigor, nourished and return their fertility back to normal. Agricultural experts predict that the acreage dedi- and supported by modern science for exactly that The Spanish were deeply impressed. cated to maca cultivation will steadily increase to purpose. Since 1997, I have personally investigated meet vigorous market demand. Former Agriculture maca agriculture in the Andes over twenty times, The Spanish found strong, healthy babies and adults Minister Rodolfo Munante says about maca “This and have studied both the available history and in the hostile highlands, a condition attributable to a More... science on this plant. Furthermore, I have used diet consisting mostly of maca. The Inca, and sub- maca almost every day since that time. As a result sequently the Spanish, consumed maca as a staple When in doubt, always consult your physician or of such intensive immersion, I have come to believe food, and fed it to livestock. The Spanish didn’t take health care practitioner. This column is to provide that this plant offers exceptional benefits to overall long to figure out that whatever was in maca that you with information to maintain your health. health and well-being. enhanced animal fertility might likely promote a Subscribe to a free weekly health newsletter at www.TerryTalksNutrition.com www.TerryTalksNutrition.com THIS STATEMENT HAS NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE. 710.TTN053 Maca, Vitality Secret of the Inca Pg. 2 and carrots in value, and is a good source of iron, nificantly improved cycling time performance, and dried Maca roots magnesium, calcium, potassium and iodine. improved self-rated sexual desire score compared to the baseline test. (Stone et al) What nutrients in maca promote its reputed sex- enhancing effects? The plant sterols listed may Yet another maca sex study involved victims of possibly be some of the chemical agents of desire, SSRI antidepressants who had experienced a as may be isothiocyanates discovered in the root. decrease in sex drive related to use of those Isothyocyanates are protective compounds found medications. Daily intake of three grams of maca in other cruciferous plants including horseradish, daily resulted in improved sex drive, and improved mustard, and radishes. These compounds induce overall sexual satisfaction. (Dording et al) And lest is the perfect crop, because we don’t even have to protective Phase 2 enzymes which fight cancer by you think maca is only for men, over 75% of the promote it. Private industry has moved right in and detoxifying carcinogens and eliminating them from people in this study were women. is doing the job for us.” Another former Minister of the body. Maca contains benzyl thiocyanate and Agriculture, Belisario de las Casas, is also a maca p- methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate. Though these Conclusion supporter and user. “I take maca and can attest to compounds occur in small amounts, they may Results of animal and human studies clearly show its invigorating powers,” he said. enhance fertility. that maca, whose reputation for sexual enhance- ment and improvement of overall vitality goes The Junin plateau where maca is cultivated is According to folklore, maca is just about a panacea. back to Incan history, lives up to its reputation legendary for its hostile conditions. Temperatures Today in the markets of Peru maca is sold for its under scientific scrutiny. Maca has never dem- often plunge below zero, large hailstones and strengthening and stamina-promoting effects, as onstrated any tox- slushy snow commonly fall in the summer, the an aphrodisiac and a fertility-enhancer. Locals pro- icity of any kind, oxygen-thin air induces altitude sickness, the rocky mote maca as a laxative (probably due to its fiber and is safe for every- soil supports very little plant life, the wind chaps content), and as a cure for rheumatism and respira- one. Consumed daily, and bites the skin, and the glaring sun can burn you tory disorders. Drugstores sell maca in capsules for maca can make a red in minutes. Maca is one of only two food crops stamina and improved sexual function. Peruvians dynamic contribution to grow in this altitude range; the other crop is attribute remarkable benefits to maca, claiming that to health, and can potatoes. The plant is unusually frost-resistant, and maca stimulates metabolism, perhaps due to thy- significantly boost thrives in bad conditions. roid-stimulating iodine; regulates hormonal secre- overall vitality and tion, possibly due to certain isothyacyanates and well being. dried Maca sterols; improves memory, maybe due to certain amino acids; combats anemia, most likely because of its high iron value, and fights depression, perhaps due to amino acids and minerals. Chris recommends this Maca formula. Look for it at your local health food store. Maca and Sexual Function Organic Whole Maca (Lepidium meyenii) Of the numerous claims made for maca, those which have been corroborated in the lab con- Extract 1500 mg cern energy, stamina, libido and sexual function.