Maca and Energy, the Superfood of Vitality

The correlation between Maca and Energy is increasingly frequent, in fact its invigorating properties have been known since ancient times.

There are testimonies that allow us to understand that the properties of the root of this plant were already exploited many years ago by the Andean population.

Numerous archaeological findings have demonstrated that Maca was considered by pre-Columbian tribes as a “gift from the gods” and it appears that it has been cultivated in the Peruvian Andes for almost 2600 years.

The Peruvian “Ginseng” that gives energy: historical notes

Maca was cultivated by the Pumpush, a fierce tribe of warriors who migrated to the Andes. Later, the Yaro tribe also cultivated huge fields. Finally, the Inca Empire conquered the lands where this extraordinary plant had been cultivated.

According to some legends, Inca warriors consumed maca root before going into battle, because it was able to increase strength and resistance during combat.

In South America, maca has been used for centuries as a “medicinal” plant for both humans and animals.

It is said that after the Spanish conquest, the cattle and the population of the Andean highlands were not in good health, so the natives recommended that they eat maca and also give it to the animals.

The effects were decidedly positive and Spanish chroniclers provided a detailed account of them with real treatises on Maca.

Even before the Spanish conquest, this root was considered so important that it was used as currency.

It was often traded for other products, such as cocoa beans or nibs. The history of cocoa and maca is very similar and their combination enhances their flavors!

Today the root of this plant is becoming an important botanical product in the world of food and herbal medicine, for its energizing properties.

Maca as an adaptogenic remedy

We have seen how maca has been known since ancient times as a “superfood” capable of increasing strength and resistance.

It has a high nutritional value and is increasingly known and appreciated as tonic-adaptogen , that is, for its ability to improve the organism's non-specific resistance in response to external stress stimuli, both physical and psychological.

The Russian Pharmacologist Nicolai Lazarev , tried to define the type of action of some plants and thus created, in 1947, the concept of "adaptogen" which characterizes:

“ a nutrient capable of inducing in a body a state of greater non-specific resistance that counteracts stress signals and adapts to exceptional effort ”

Nikolai Lazarev

In 1968, Brekhman and Dardymov defined adaptogens as non-toxic substances capable of producing an adaptive response to stress and improving homeostasis in the organism, that is, the body's ability to adapt and recover its balance despite external stimuli.

Maca and Energy

The Italian Ministry of Health in decree regulating the use of herbal substances and preparations in food supplements defines the physiological effects of maca root as:

• Tonic-adaptogen
• Tonic (physical, mental tiredness)
• Tonic action and metabolic support

So we are talking about a natural tonic, capable of counteracting physical and mental fatigue and, moreover, of increasing our organism's ability to adapt to stressors that can be of various nature, physical, mental, work-related, sports-related... and also prevent the damage that such stress conditions can cause to our health.

Maca has the ability to improve the response to stress and fatigue, and resistance to large workloads, both physical and mental. For this reason, it is also much loved by athletes for training support.

More and more studies are being conducted on this extraordinary plant that is said to be able to increase energy, endurance, physical strength and much more.

How to Take Maca and Get Energy

Maca can be found in powder form, to be added as a spice to recipes, or in capsules, which are more practical to take as a supplement or for those who don't like its decidedly particular flavor.

Maca powder has, in fact, a pungent, sweetish, slightly malty flavour, which oscillates between bitter and spicy.

It can be easily disguised by mixing it with other ingredients, adding it to smoothies, drinks or milk.

It goes well with fruit juices, chocolate, yogurt and can also be used as an ingredient for homemade desserts, cakes, biscuits, energyballs and pancakes, or bread dough.

Furthermore, it can be used as spice in culinary preparations, added to savoury recipes, to season salads and vegetables or in broths or soups.

Sources:

• Maca: adaptogen and hormone regulator . Beth M. Ley, Ph.D.
• Superfoods . David Wolfe