Origin and history

Lepidium meyenii (Walp.), known as Maca, is a cruciferous plant that grows above 4,000 meters altitude in Peru´s Central Andes.

Since ancient times, the root of Maca has been traditionally used by indigenous Andean populations for both nutritional and medicinal purposes. It is an energizing plant that has been used for centuries in the Andes to enhance fertility in humans and animals.

Maca, the potent and ancient Peruvian superfood, has a high nutritional value. The tuber or root is consumed fresh or dried. It is rich in sugars, protein, starches, and essential nutrients. The dried Maca root contains carbohydrates, protein, fiber, and lipids. The Maca protein profile includes significant amounts of arginine, serine, histidine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, valine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and threonine. Also, Maca presents calcium, potassium, phosphorus, cinc, and iron, important amounts of fatty acids, including linolenic, palmitic, oleic acids, and, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B12, vitamin C, and vitamin E. In addition, Maca contains phytochemicals as sterols, saponins, tannins, among other.

Now, this recognized ancient Peruvian superfood which has been used by indigenous Andean societies for thousands of years, is offered by The Green Labs LLC in its sterilized version for nutraceutical and food industries. •          Gonzales GF et al. Medicinal plants from Peru: a review of plants as potential agents against cancer. Anticancer Agents Med Chem. 2006 Sep;6(5):429-44.

References

• Gonzales GF et al. Lepidium meyenii (Maca): a plant from the highlands of Peru-from tradition to science. Forsch Komplementmed. 2009 Dec;16(6):373-80
• Valentová K, Ulrichová J. Smallanthus sonchifolius and Lepidium meyenii – prospective Andean crops for the prevention of chronic diseases. Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2003 Dec;147(2):119-30.
• Rubio J, Caldas M, Dávila S, Gasco M, Gonzales GF. Effect of three different cultivars of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on learning and depression in ovariectomized mice. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2006 Jun 23;6:23.
• Sandoval, M., Okuhama, N. N., Angeles, F. M., and et al. Antioxidant activity of the cruciferous vegetable maca (Lepidium meyenii). Food Chem 2002;79:207-213.

Botanical Name: Organic Maca Powder – Sterelized

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