Maca root is getting a lot of attention lately, but it has been used as a caffeine-free, plant-based performance enhancer since the days of the Inca warriors.* A knobby tuber that resembles a turnip, Maca hails from Peru, where it's grown in the volcanic soils of the high Andes. Maca thrives in this extreme environment, which is why we source ours directly from partner farmers who've been cultivating it for generations. We visit them annually to check on the harvest, and we stay in touch all year long to ensure we have a healthy supply of the best, most potent Maca possible.
Where your Maca Comes From Matters
You might have heard the term terroir in reference to wines. This comprises the environmental factors such as climate, soil and topography that influence the distinctive characteristics of certain grapes. Terroir is as important to Maca as it is to a fine wine. While Maca is able to grow in locales other than Peru, we prefer to source it from where we know it has been successfully cultivated for thousands of years-in an environment that's as unique as the herb itself. You want to be sure that the Maca you choose is the real deal, aka pure and free of adulterants.
Maca is an adaptogen, meaning it supports your ability to deal with stress naturally.* Adaptogens help you "adapt" to whatever life brings. The two best-known traditional uses of Maca are support of healthy energy and stamina, as well as support for a healthy libido in both men and women.* It's also been used to support a healthy response to occasional stress.* Maca is a nutritionally dense food, making it a staple in the diets of the native Peruvians who grow it.
More recently, studies have shown that it can promote natural fertility by helping to maintain normal reproductive hormone levels.* 1
Gelatinized vs. Raw
Our Maca is processed using gelatinization, which removes the starch. This makes the Maca more digestible and easier to absorb than the raw herb would be. (Ours is also free of gluten and GMOs, and it's Certified Organic and vegan.)
While Maca is often cooked and eaten fresh in Peru, it is exported only in dried, powdered form. Maca Powder (or one of our MacaBoost dietary powders) is the most convenient and popular way to add it to your daily routine. Since it dissolves easily and has a pleasant taste, you can stir it into a pre-workout green juice or blend it into a protein shake after exercise. If you're on the go, Maca also comes in capsule form.
Want to Learn More?
Trace our latest batch of Maca all the way from those wind-whipped mountaintops in South America to the products on the shelf in your local store, by visiting Meet Your Herbs. We test each batch to make sure your canister contains Maca and nothing more-you can see test results for pesticides, heavy metals and microbes.