Botanical Name: Lepidium meyenii
Common Name:
- English: maca-maca, maino, ayak chichira and ayak willku.
- Also, known as: Ayak Chichira, Ayuk Willku, Ginseng Andin, Ginseng Péruvien, Lepidium meyenii, Lepidium peruvianum, Maca Maca, Maca Péruvien, Maino, Maka, Peruvian Ginseng, Peruvian Maca
Origin: Peru
Harvested: Cultivated
Parts Used: Root
General Information:
Maca Root looks like the love child of potato and white radish. It grows wild in the frigid ground of the Andes mountains thousands of feet above sea level in Peru. And it has a nutty, slightly butterscotchy taste. Maca root, which comes from the mustard plant family, is a nutritional powerhouse. Maca root goes by many names, including maca-maca, maino, ayak chichira and ayak willku. It’s also called Peruvian ginseng, which can be misleading because maca is a vegetable, and ginseng is an herb. Both have a reputation for giving big boosts of energy. People in the Andes have grown maca for thousands of years. They use the root as a food supplement as well as a traditional medicine for everything. n recent years, maca has been popping up more often on health food store shelves.
How to use:
Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use powdered herb.
Food Preparation: You can add powdered herbs to any super food, herbal smoothie, sauces, spreads and even cookies. Also for children, you can mix powdered herbs with honey or glycerin to make a paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help the medicine go down. This method is also known as “Electuaries”.
Capsules: Encapsulating your own powdered herb at home, give you assurance that the contents of the capsules are pure herb and no filler or any other products. These capsules can be taken with liquid.
Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.
Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.
Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purposes ONLY.
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.