MACA ROOT: THE LIBIDO BOOSTER
MACA ROOT: THE LIBIDO BOOSTER
By: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT
Maca Root is a very interesting nutrient that many people aren’t familiar with but is incredibly versatile. It can be found in a powder, in a capsule form (Maca Root) or even as part of a formulation (Menopause Hx Advanced and Men’s Edge Advanced). Let’s take some time to discuss some of the benefits this nutrient has to offer.
Let’s start at the beginning and discuss aphrodisiacs, as this is always a hot topic particularly during certain times of the year (like Valentine’s Day). An aphrodisiac is something, maybe a scent or food that is said to increase libido and “get you in the mood”. Most commonly, this is associated with such things as the scent of roses or jasmine (these are commonly used in perfumes and colognes), and such foods as chocolate, oysters or sometimes and nice glass of wine or champagne. However, there are also spices or herbs that fall into this category, such as ginger, ginseng and ginkgo….these have a tendency to be warming and slightly raise body temperature. In this category is also Maca Root which is one of my favorites. That is due to Maca being versatile in that it can be used as a supplement or can be used in recipes and smoothies all while tasting good and I don’t get that spicy taste that other herbs and spices tend to offer.
So what exactly is Maca? Simply put, Maca is a plant that is found in the Andes Mountains in South America. It is believed to be helpful for healthy sexual function, increased libido, and support for the brain and may even be helpful as an anti-inflammatory. This is also a nutrient that is helpful for both men’s and women’s health.
When it comes to men’s health, Maca is often a go-to choice. Studies mentioned in Medical News Today suggest that Maca can be helpful for men dealing with erectile dysfunction as well as offering a boost to the libido. It is also helpful with increasing energy and endurance. The Maca Root found in the Men’s Edge formula is a great addition to a regimen to support men’s health issues.
Maca can be equally beneficial for women’s health. It can be particularly helpful for women experiencing menopause. Due to the hormonal changes during this time, many women suffer from a variety of issues including, but not limited to, changes in mood, weight gain, hot flashes and of course low libido. Menopause Hx Advanced is a way to help address a variety of the issues effecting women, as it is a comprehensive formula that includes Maca Root.
Maca Root can also be beneficial for other health concerns. Studies published by the National Library of Medicine -National Center for Biotechnology Information discuss some of these issues. It is believed that Maca can assist in significantly lowering blood pressure. This can have a positive impact on one’s health, lower the risk of stroke and helping to maintain healthy circulation. Maca has also shown to be helpful in balancing mood and can be used by those suffering with mood disorders such as depression.
Maca is also shown to be a very safe nutrient to take by almost everyone. It has shown to have little to no interactions with medications and is a great compliment to those that have been prescribed conventional medication by their doctor.
As you can see, Maca Root is a safe, versatile and impactful nutrient to have in any healthy lifestyle plan. I want to encourage you to add this to your daily supplement regimen and please let us know how you are using this amazing and often forgotten nutrient.
www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/sex-aphrodisiac-foods
www.botanicalinstitute.org/maca/
www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-maca
www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322511#ten-benefits
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/all-about-sex/201104/is-maca-aphrodisiac
www.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24931003/
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4411442/
www.medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/555.html
