Maca (Latin - Lepidium meyenii) is a plant that originates from Peru. 

Maca grows over 4000 metres above sea level in the Andes.

Maca is found particularly in Moquegua and Puno regions and it's wild growing in the Andes, according to farmpally.

The Incas knew about the healing effects of maca and meanwhile, Maca is cultivated in other countries; for example in China today, it is processed, marketed and even commercialised.

The Maca plant is very robust and can withstand wind and cold very well. Worth mentioning is also the intense UV radiation in which the plant is exposed here

Maca uses

The root of the maca plant was in the Andes for thousands of years, used as food and also as a remedy.

The root of the maca plant is still in Peru and it's used mostly there as food. There, the tuber is eaten often 3 times a day.

The tubers taste sweet and can be baked, and also dried and processed. 

After drying, the tubers are processed to a pulp which is very rich in nutrients.

The leaves of the maca plant are eaten too. You have a sharp, Cress-like taste.

There are nutrients, vitamins, minerals that are contained in the maca tuber. Incidentally, the sweet powder of the maca plant can be dissolved in hot water or milk and serve as a beverage.

There are some maca products, for example, maca powder, tablets, and capsules in the market. 

Maca is used here in the Western world mainly due to the healing effects rather than alternative remedies.

If you want to learn new things, find a variety of delicacies, maca tuber is another different food to try out.

Maca on menopause

Many women complain they have problems with menopause, that they have no desire for sex anymore. 

Vaginal problems, such as drought are yet another problem that occurs.

Most women do not speak of mental health problems; depression and anxiety.

Many doctors prescribe a hormone that should be used here but not everyone is comfortable with that. But with maca, best successes were achieved as confirmed by different studies.

Side effects of maca

In all studies and real experience from people using maca extracts and products, there's no side effect discovered. 

This means that you don't have to expect any side effects, Akin chaktty said.

However, you should know that you must take maca even over a longer period to achieve an effect.

A week or two is not enough, it takes about two or three months to achieve success.