The Power of Maca!

You might now that I have been struggling with a skin rash (and here) next to my nose. In the beginning I was really annoyed and tried everything to get rid of it. I was even about to start the GAPS diet, but then life happened I never had energy to do it... Then suddenly, after four months without any milk products, it disappeared on one side of the nose to only appear on the other. I had a theory that the second appearance had to do with heavy apple fermentation in my tummy as this happened just as our apple trees had me eating some 5 apples a day... Well, now as the apple season is over, and 3 months later I can report that the rash is slowly going away. I have even started to include raw milk back to my diet and it does not seem to affect the intensity of the rash  (but does seem to balance my sleep in the night!).

Instead this time I have a new theory (part from not eating so much apples anymore...) and this one is called MACA.

I read somewhere that Maca is good for female hormonal balance, and since I can never be balanced enough I thought I'd try. Now I drink a glass of water with a tiny bit of Maca powder in it almost every day and the days when I forget I kind of have a feeling that the rash is a bit redder than usual.

So what is this wonder power? I set out to find out and this is what I found:


The Maca root is part of the radish family and it is also called the Andean Gingseng. It is grown in Peru and used widely in cooking in Peru (have I ever mentioned that my best food experiences have always been in Peruvian restaurants! - We need one of those here....). When starting with Maca, just as any other power food, the path to success is: slowly. First half a teaspoon of powder and then increasing up to 1-2 teaspoons a day, having a day off once a week. No side effects reported but there can be a detox symptom in the beginning if not careful. Mix in smoothies, soups or stews. I guess I could even try blending it into my wonder raw chocolate dates balls if ever needed to trick it to the kids...

And what is it good for? Well, just to save some time, here is a list that I got from Vegkitchen:

Vitamins
Maca is rich in vitamin B vitamins, C, and E. It provides plenty of calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium, phosphorous and amino acids.
Sexual function
Maca is widely used to promote sexual function of both men and women. It serves as a boost to your libido and increases endurance. At the same time it balances your hormones and increases fertility.
Women’s health and mood
Maca relieves menstrual issues and menopause. It alleviates cramps, body pain, hot flashes, anxiety, mood swings, and depression. If you are pregnant or lactating you should avoid taking maca.

Read more at http://www.vegkitchen.com/nutrition/7-top-health-benefits-of-maca/#wxfe3Pg6RoRXx7Fh.99

Vitamins
Maca is rich in vitamin B vitamins, C, and E. It provides plenty of calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium, phosphorous and amino acids.
Sexual function
Maca is widely used to promote sexual function of both men and women. It serves as a boost to your libido and increases endurance. At the same time it balances your hormones and increases fertility.
Women’s health and mood
Maca relieves menstrual issues and menopause. It alleviates cramps, body pain, hot flashes, anxiety, mood swings, and depression. If you are pregnant or lactating you should avoid taking maca.

Read more at http://www.vegkitchen.com/nutrition/7-top-health-benefits-of-maca/#wxfe3Pg6RoRXx7Fh.99

• Vitamins: Rich in B,C, and E. Contains calcium, zink, iron, magnesium, phosphorous and amino acids.
• Sex function: promotes sexual function in men and women.
• Women's health and mood: brings relief to menopause and menstrual issues, be cautious if pregnant or lactating.
• Energy: increases energy levels and stamina, used by top athletes for peak performance (natural doping?!?, my comment)
• General Health: helps to restore blood cells, be cautious if you have a condition of high blood pressure!
• Skin: clears acne and blemishes (well, well - so there might be some truth to my observation then! :))
• Mood balances: alleviate anxiety, depression, and stress

So just as I once figured out that serving frequently bone broth to the kids was a good idea, I also think that maca may be a very good idea when I myself feel out of balance... But it seems quite powerful, so better be careful! Would love to have a chat with someone from Peru who really knows the power of maca in detail!

Edited later: Maca is also supposed to be natures own tyroxin, it balances the thyroid function and it also activates the hormone production of the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus (Source: Proyecto bebe).

Vitamins
Maca is rich in vitamin B vitamins, C, and E. It provides plenty of calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium, phosphorous and amino acids.
Sexual function
Maca is widely used to promote sexual function of both men and women. It serves as a boost to your libido and increases endurance. At the same time it balances your hormones and increases fertility.
Women’s health and mood
Maca relieves menstrual issues and menopause. It alleviates cramps, body pain, hot flashes, anxiety, mood swings, and depression. If you are pregnant or lactating you should avoid taking maca.

Read more at http://www.vegkitchen.com/nutrition/7-top-health-benefits-of-maca/#wxfe3Pg6RoRXx7Fh.99

Vitamins
Maca is rich in vitamin B vitamins, C, and E. It provides plenty of calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium, phosphorous and amino acids.
Sexual function
Maca is widely used to promote sexual function of both men and women. It serves as a boost to your libido and increases endurance. At the same time it balances your hormones and increases fertility.
Women’s health and mood
Maca relieves menstrual issues and menopause. It alleviates cramps, body pain, hot flashes, anxiety, mood swings, and depression. If you are pregnant or lactating you should avoid taking maca.

Read more at http://www.vegkitchen.com/nutrition/7-top-health-benefits-of-maca/#wxfe3Pg6RoRXx7Fh.99

Vitamins
Maca is rich in vitamin B vitamins, C, and E. It provides plenty of calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium, phosphorous and amino acids.
Sexual function
Maca is widely used to promote sexual function of both men and women. It serves as a boost to your libido and increases endurance. At the same time it balances your hormones and increases fertility.
Women’s health and mood
Maca relieves menstrual issues and menopause. It alleviates cramps, body pain, hot flashes, anxiety, mood swings, and depression. If you are pregnant or lactating you should avoid taking maca.

Read more at http://www.vegkitchen.com/nutrition/7-top-health-benefits-of-maca/#wxfe3Pg6RoRXx7Fh.99

Vitamins
Maca is rich in vitamin B vitamins, C, and E. It provides plenty of calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium, phosphorous and amino acids.
Sexual function
Maca is widely used to promote sexual function of both men and women. It serves as a boost to your libido and increases endurance. At the same time it balances your hormones and increases fertility.
Women’s health and mood
Maca relieves menstrual issues and menopause. It alleviates cramps, body pain, hot flashes, anxiety, mood swings, and depression. If you are pregnant or lactating you should avoid taking maca.

Read more at http://www.vegkitchen.com/nutrition/7-top-health-benefits-of-maca/#wxfe3Pg6RoRXx7Fh.99