Lepidium Meyenii Walp or Maca: Benefits of an Amazing Superfood

Lepidium meyenii walp or maca benefits are many and it is an amazing superfood which grows in the beautiful land of Peru. Maca is the root of the plant Lepidium meyenii walp. This plant was thought to be going extinct until the Spanish arrived in the highlands of Peru and discovered it. It was still unknown to most of the developing world until recently. It is thought that the Incas used it more than 2000 years ago in their diet for exceptional endurance and an on-going energy. It is now traded all over the lands of Peru and exported outside for its medicinal purposes and amazing superfood qualities.

What It Means to the Natives:

Maca benefits (Lepidium meyenni walp) were well-known by the Spanish and it was considered so valuable that it was even traded as money. They literally shipped it back to Spain to their kings who accepted it as a payment towards the imposed taxes. The Spanish later on mentioned this amazing herb in their chronicles and fed it to their livestock and horses. Maca has survived the harsh climates of the Peru Andes and is still the staple food of the natives living in these highlands. When visiting the beautiful vast highlands where maca grows, one is astonished to see the native people of the land running up and down the hills with so much energy and not getting tired. Observing this fact, one can conclude that the secret must lie in the consumption of their powerful and energizing harvest, the maca root!

The Secret Behind the Amazing Maca Benefits:

Lepidium meyenii walp is actually a rare specimen of the radish family. Its properties, nutrients and the effects it has on the body is being studied by researchers, naturopaths and doctors all over the world and they are finding astonishing results. It is an all over endocrine enhancer, making it excellent for support of the many bodily functions. Researchers are now finding answers to many facts that had been known about maca for thousands of years by the natives. Some of the maca benefits include increased energy and endurance where it increases stamina and fights fatigue and exhaustion. It is also good for regulating hormonal imbalances and helps in alleviating depression. A few of the many other maca benefits are:

1. It is great for speeding wound healing.

2. Increases blood circulation.

3. Helps in many different kinds of cancers because of its high fiber and other properties.

4. Important for tooth health and bones.

5. It's an antioxidant.

6. It is also anticarcinogen.

7. It amazingly helps to build muscles and can be used safely in place of harmful steroids.

8. It enhances fertility and helps over come sexual dysfunction in women and men.

Maca or lepidium meyenii walp is filled with vitamins and minerals which makes it such an amazing superfood. It is a great nervous system booster and calmer because of the presence of phosphorous, calcium which is bio-available, vitaminB1 and B12 and other fatty acids all of which work towards improving the nervous system. Another one of the amazing maca benefits is that it doesn't work on one organ only but on the whole body, normalizing the bodily function no matter what the state the body might be in.

It is clear that maca benefits need to be studied and examined further and we can only known so much of its hidden treasures and the way it nourishes our bodies.

Sources:

1. Wikipedia, "Lepidium meyenii." Wikipedia.com.

2. Maca Root, "Secrets of the Lost Root - A Brief History of Maca Magic on the High Plains." MacaRoot.com