Lepidium meyenii or Maca is a herb that grows high up in the Andes Mountains of Peru. Also known as Peruvian ginseng, Maca root was believed by the Incas to be a powerful aphrodisiac and was used as a natural remedy for a number of conditions. Maca root is also an excellent source of many beneficial nutrients and compounds, including:
- Vitamin C, an antioxidant that fights free radical damage and assists with the production of collagen and the function of the immune system
- Iron, an essential mineral that helps in generating of oxygen-carrying red blood cells. *
- Dietary fiber, helps to promote a healthy digestive system. *
- Isothiocyanate, aromatic molecules that seem to help to regulate hormonal balance. *
- Phytosterols, which help to keep the cardiovascular system healthy. *
