Maca for Anxiety, Depression, and Sexual Dysfunction

Women have more stress than in past times. Women are working jobs, taking care of children, housework, and bills. Many women are divorced and single moms. The stress is non-stop. This is causing an upsurge of anxiety, depression, and lowered sex drive. There are alternatives to drugs with toxic side effects that can damage liver and heart function. Drugs should be the last resort, after trying more natural alternatives. One of these natural alternatives is the Peruvian herb, Maca.

What is Maca ( Lepidium meyenii) ?

Maca is a tuber, similar to a radish or potato native to the Peruvian highlands. Native people dry the roots, then boil them and it is made into jam or pudding. It is also used now in health drinks blended with fruit or vegetables. It contains 60% carbohydrate and 10% protein.

In Peru, it is called 'Peruvian ginseng' but is not related to ginseng. It has been used by the natives for hundreds of years to improve energy, vitality, and sexual health. Maca use goes back in history to the Inca civilization, whose warriors ate it before going into battle to give them strength and endurance. One of the commodities used for trade by the Spanish explorers was Maca.

Maca is used by both women and men to help with sexual dysfunction. It is the Glucosinolates in the Maca that contain the main medicinal properties. Maca includes 17 different glucosinolates. Most Maca products are a combination of these 17 glucosinolates. It is felt that the combination is best for overall effects.

Maca Improves Mens Health:

There are several varieties of Maca (red, yellow, and black) and they have been shown to exhibit different effects on the body. Black Maca has been shown to work better to increase sperm production, motility, and semen volume . Maca has also been shown to help men,s erectile dysfunction. Red Maca has been shown to reduce prostate enlargement effectively. Black Maca has shown in research to improve learning and memory.

Maca Improves Women's Sexual Dysfunction:

There have been several studies that show Maca is effective to relieve womens anxiety, depression, and sexual dysfunction. These were double blind studies. Maca has been used by Native women for hundreds of years for Menopause and Post Menopausal problems. With the increase of stress and depression, sexual dysfunction is increasing and is a problem in many relationships. Maca is well worth trying to see if it does help your symptoms.

Side Effects and Contraindications:

Maca has been used as a food for hundreds of years going back to the Incas. In research, there is no known side effects even in high dosages. It is possible to have a food allergy to any substance including Maca. If you are pregnant or taking hormones, it is wise to check with your holistic physician before taking any herbs including Maca. There are doctors who do work with natural alternatives. Ask questions before making an appointment.

References:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez

http://www.macaextract.net/

http://health.discovery.com/centers/sex/libido/maca.html

http://www1.american.edu/TED/maca.htm

http://www.herbsformenopause.com/research_on_maca.htm

Gonzales, G. F., et al. "Effect of Black maca (Lepidium meyenii) on one spermatogenic cycle in rats." Andrologia. 2006 Oct; 38(5): 166-72.

Bustos-Obregon, E., et al. "Lepidium meyenii (Maca) reduces spermatogenic damage induced by a single dose of malathion in mice." Asian J. Androl. 2005 Mar; 7(1): 71-6.

Ruiz-Luna, A.C., et al. "Lepidium meyenii (Maca) increases litter size in normal adult female mice." Reprod. Biol. Endocrinol. 2005 May; 3(1): 16.

Gonzales, C., et al. "Effect of short-term and long-term treatments with three ecotypes of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on spermatogenesis in rats." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Feb 20; 103(3): 448-54.

Gonzales, G. F., et al. "Effect of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on spermatogenesis in male rats acutely exposed to high altitude (4340 m)." J. Endocrinol. 2004; 180(1): 87-95.

Bogani, P., et al. "Lepidium meyenii (Maca) does not exert direct androgenic activities." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Apr; 104(3): 415-7.

Chung, F., et al. "Dose-response effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) aqueous extract on testicular function and weight of different organs in adult rats." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Apr; 98(1-2): 143-7.

Gonzales, G. F., et al. "Red maca (Lepidium meyenii) reduced prostate size in rats." Reprod. Biol. Endocrinol. 2005; 3(1): 5.

Gonzales, G. F., et al. "Effect of alcoholic extract of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on testicular function in male rats." Asian J. Androl. 2003 Dec; 5(4): 349-52.

Gonzales, G. F., et al. "Effect of Lepidium meyenii (maca), a root with aphrodisiac and fertility-enhancing properties, on serum reproductive hormone levels in adult healthy men." J. Endocrinol. 2003; 176(1): 163-68.

Gonzales, G. F., et al. "Effect of Lepidium meyenii (maca) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men." Andrologia. 2002; 34(6): 367-72.