Superfood Type: Root

Maca root (Lepidium meyenii) is a superfood native to the mountains of Peru and is grown at altitudes of up to 4,300 meters above sea level. It has been used for over 3,500 years and legend claims that during the height of the Inca empire, warriors would consume Maca before going into battle to ensure superior strength and endurance. However, upon returning from battle, Inca soldiers were prohibited from wearing maca to protect women from their insatiable sexual desires. Maca is known to provide strength, endurance, and increased libido.

So what is maca?

A member of the cruciferous tribe such as kale and cabbage, maca is abundant in potassium, magnesium, calcium, sulfur, iron, sodium, and phosphorous and also contains trace elements including iodine, zinc, selenium, bismuth, copper, magnesium, tin and silicon. It is also rich in vitamins B1, B2, C and E.

Maca has the ability to stabilize and balance the glandular-hormonal system, the nervous system, the cardiovascular system and the muscles of the body. These factors make maca ideal for managing hormones, stress levels, thyroid function, and overall mood.

According to superfood expert David Wolfe, maca is great if you suffer from:

• Anemia
• chronic fatigue
• Depression
• infertility and sterility
• lack of libido
• Malnutrition
• menopausal symptoms
• Menstrual discomfort and disorders
• Bad memory
• stomach cancer
• stress stress
• Tuberculosis

How to use it and where to buy it?

Due to its high-quality health benefits, maca can be used in larger quantities than other medicinal herbs. It has also been found to be safe for long-term use. You can buy it online or at most health food stores in dry, raw, and organic foods. To ensure the best quality product, it is important to buy maca only from the root of the plant and not from other components.

Use a tablespoon in smoothies, juices, nut milks, tea or coffee, or add it to your raw chocolate treats.

Here’s a recipe to get you started:

Strawberry Chocolate Maca Smoothie

serve two

Ingredients

• 1 cup cashew milk (or ½ cup soaked cashews and 1 cup water)
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 1 teaspoon of maca root powder
• 2 tablespoons raw cocoa powder
• 1 cup of fresh strawberries
• 2 small frozen bananas (broken into chunks)
• 1 vanilla pod
• 2 tablespoons of raw cacao nibs.

method

• Mix cashew milk, chia seeds, maca root powder, and raw cacao powder.
• Cut the vanilla pod and scrape the contents into the blender.
• Add strawberries and frozen banana, blend until smooth and creamy.
• Pour into two glasses and sprinkle with raw cocoa nibs.