Energetic quality: sweet, bland

Parts used: tuber

Ethnobotanical/historical use: domesticated over 2000 years ago by the Inca – Maca cultivars dating back to 1600 BCE; Peruvian natives use plant for food, medicine; as food, used like sweet potato, made into ice cream, used to flavor rum

Actions, properties: adaptogen, nutritive, energy tonic, immune stimulant, cerebral tonic, fertility tonic, aphrodisiac, hormone tonic/balancer; anabolic steroid substitute

Indications: low immunity, low stamina, CFS; anemia, other nutritional deficiencies; low libido, fertility problems, impotence, frigidity, menopause, menstrual problems, PMS; poor memory
Use when on a fitness/exercise regime
Fevers, flu, herpes outbreaks (addresses accompanying stress)
Plant is also known to be oxygenating, like many other plants from high elevations

Contraindications: none found

Methods of preparation and dosage:
can take freely – used as food plant in Peru – add to shakes, smoothies, juices, milk, soups, cereals, yogurt
The dosage range is pretty general here – adjust dosage according to need and purpose
The root tastes very good – sweet, with a hazelnutty flavor
Powder – use ½ teaspoon to 3 tablespoons daily
Decoction – drink as desired, to 3 cups daily
Capsules – 1 – 4 caps 1 – 4x daily
Extract – 1 – 2 droppers 1 – 3x daily, or as needed

Combines well with: adaptogens – Panax spp., Pfaffia paniculata, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Astragalus membranaceous, Withania somnifera
For men – Tribulus terrestris, Serenoa repens, Withania somnifera, Panax spp.
For women – Asparagus racemosa, Angelica sinensis

Spiritual/magical/religious use: the plant can impart its strength, and ability to withstand harshness and exposure to the elements – a good ally, sweet, fortifying