Maca was one of the first products that we started selling, back in 2005. It has consistently remained in our top ten superfood best-sellers. So what's all the fuss about?
Maca is a Peruvian root vegetable, similiar to a turnip. It only grows at high altitudes above 3500m; as such, it is a plant that can withstand great extremes of temperature and so is exceptionally hardy and resilient. When we consume maca, we are consuming that energy of being able to stay strong despite the ups and downs of external circumstances. Maca brings us the fortitude to make it to the top, no matter what!
It is classed as an Adaptogen; adaptogens have become a bit of a buzzword, and there is a lot of confusion as to what exactly is an adaptogenic plant. Our Western minds are trained to think in a way that is symptom-based; we isolate specific imbalances in the body and treat them individually. By contrast, Traditional Chinese Medicine looks at the body as a whole, and particularly what is known as The Five Elements; that is the different energy systems in the body and how they are out of balance. Adaptogens work in this more general way; they restore homeostasis in the body, by getting to core imbalances, and thus specific symptoms are reduced, or cleared entirely.
Maca is particularly popular among women because it is one of the the most effective natural hormone balancers. For women, balancing their hormonal needs among busy Western lifestyles is one of the top stressors, which is why so many women have come to rely on their daily intake of Maca. We recommend starting with one teaspoon, and working up gradually; a good maintenance dose is one tablespoon daily.
As a source of natural plant sterols, it's also popular among athletes, yogis, and anyone doing a lot of physical labour, for the energy and stamina it provides, without over-stimulating the adrenals.
There are a host of Maca recipes in Kate's books; with its malty flavour, it is a versatile ingredient in both sweet and savoury dishes. Enjoy it in your breakfast porridge, chia, or yoghurt; add it to a smoothie or mylk; goes great in raw chocolate recipes; and don't be scared to add it to a salad dressing or dip.
Like all the Peruvian superfoods, Maca is truly a gift from the gods! With our stressful modern lifestyles, we consider Maca an essential element of maintaining the levels of calm, focussed energy that we need to keep our lives running. If it's not already part of your regular intake, check it out at the link below and find out for yourself why our Maca has over 50 5-star reviews.
Raw Living Maca Powder, available in 250g, 1kg, 5kg and 20kg sizes.
