Welcome to my first post for “Wellness Wednesday”. Most Wednesdays I plan to bring you a post that will hopefully be of use for your over all well being. This Wednesday I would like to talk about the benefits of maca root. I recently discovered maca root when I researched natural supplements on Pinterest. I saw a post via another blogger and she raved about how much she loved maca root and all of its benefits. So here I will share with you what I have learned so far about the supplement.

Many people who have taken maca root will tell you that there is an increase in stamina. I have also read, in a few different articles, that in agriculture, the farmers will use maca root to increase fertility in their animals. Fertility seems to be a big benefit when it comes to maca root, and it seems to be because of the increased sex drive from taking the supplement. In some places around the world it is referred to as an aphrodisiac. Also, maca root can help with hormonal imbalance and menstrual issues. Women going through menopause will take the root to subside some of the hormonal issues they go through with the change of age. There seem to be countless benefits, but in all that I have read these were the most common. Maca is the botanical species named Lepidium meyenii. Known to be over 3,000 years old and originated in Peru, now used all over the world. It is a plant that grows as a root vegetable, similar to a radish. While it is unknown which chemicals it contains that make it work, there are known fatty acids and amino acids that are beneficial to the human species. Maca can be taken in supplement form, powder, and liquid form. The most common way, I have read, of people taking Maca root is in powder form, mixed into a protein shake. There are countless things you could add the root to, but undoubtedly it is a must try if you are lacking in energy during the day!

** Information derived from www.webmd.com and http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/maca.htm

** Photo from Vita Cost