Maca Root – a Vitamin and Mineral Enriched Herb That Works to Increase Libido in Men and Women

In its native Peru the Maca Root has for many years been considered a natural Viagra that works for both Men and Women. While the Maca Root itself contains no hormones it is proven to balance hormonal glands. This makes the herb very effective in remedying symptoms of premenstrual and menopausal hot flashes in women. The herb has been proven through clinical trail studies to favorably enhance energy and mood, as well as lessen the feelings of anxiety and stress, and increase libido in both men and women. It is not as popular as horny goat weed yet, but its recognition has been on the rise.

The USDA categorizes it as a super food, because it contains a high volume of minerals, vitamins, enzymes and most if not all of the body’s essential amino acids. Its richness of B complex vitamins contributes to its stress reducing capabilities, energy and endurance, while it naturally maintains the endocrine balance of the body’s hormones. The Maca Root further assists to provide a healthy blood flow of the circulatory system, which helps to increase libido, and overall general vascular wellness.

The Maca Root is termed by herbalist to be an adaptogen herb. Adaptogens are a distinct family of herbs that increase resistance to stress, anxiety and fatigue, thereby aiding or returning the body to a balanced state. A commonly known adaptogen herb would be a Panax (American or Korean) Ginseng.

The Latin name for Maca Root and that used by the United States Department of Agriculture is Lepidium Meyenii. It strives in cold climate untilled soil conditions that do not support other food crop. By tradition it is therefore grown in high altitude regions of the Andes Mountains of Peru, but over recent years it has been harvested at low altitudes in order to meet the international demands of herbalist and the dietary supplement industry.

The first clinical human study of Maca Root as an increase libido herb was performed at the Peruvian University Cayetano Heredia in 2001. It was formed into Gel Capsules. The study reflected that an average 180% of the study group participants experienced an increase in sexual desire as compared to a group study using a placebo. Although the herb was well known for its effects throughout Peru for over a century, it was the publishing of this 2001 study that brought it to the attention of US Scientist, who engineered that the potency levels can be multiplied by utilizing concentrated extraction, and that by blending it with other adaptogen herbs it would be a formidable natural solution for erectile dysfunction.