Lepidium meyenii

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Lepidium meyenii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Brassicales Family: Brassicaceae Genus: Lepidium Species: L. meyenii
Binomial name
Lepidium meyenii Walp

Lepidium meyenii or maca is an herbaceous biennial plant or annual plant (some sources say a perennial plant) native to the high Andes of Peru. It is grown for its fleshy hypocotyl (actually a fused hypocotyl and taproot), which is used as a root vegetable and a medicinal herb. Its Spanish and Quechua names include maca-maca, maino, ayak chichira, and ayak willku.

The growth habit, size, and proportions of the maca are roughly similar to those of the radish and the turnip, to which it is related. The stem is short and decumbent. The frilly leaves are born in a rosette at the soil surface, and are continuously renewed from the center as the outer leaves die. The off-white, self-fertile flowers are born on a central raceme, and are followed by 4-5 mm siliculate fruits, each containing two small (2-2.5 mm) reddish-gray ovoid seeds. The seeds, which are the plant's only means of reproduction, germinate within five days, given good conditions, and have no dormancy.

Maca is the only member of its genus with a fleshy hypocotyl. The hypocotyl is fused with the taproot to form a radish- or inverted-pear-shaped body roughly 10-15 cm long and 3-5 cm wide.

Maca is traditionally grown at altitudes of approximately 3,750-4,350 m (12,500-14,500 ft). It grows well only in very cold climates with relatively poor soil. Although it has been cultivated outside the Andes it is not yet clear that it has the same constituents or potency when this is done. Hypocotyls do not form in greenhouses or in warm climates.

For approximately 2000 years maca has been an important traditional food and medicinal plant in its growing region. It is regarded as a highly nutritious food and as a medicine that enhances strength and endurance and acts as an aphrodisiac. During Spanish colonization maca was used as currency.

[edit] Uses and preparation

The nutritional value of dried maca root is high, similar to cereal grains such as rice and wheat. It contains 60% carbohydrates, 10% protein, 8.5% dietary fiber, and 2.2% fats.^{[citation needed]} Maca is rich in essential minerals, especially selenium, calcium, magnesium, and iron, and includes fatty acids including linolenic acid, palmitic acid, and oleic acids, and 19 amino acids, as well as polysaccharides.^{[citation needed]} Maca's reported beneficial effects for sexual function could be due to its high concentration of proteins and vital nutrients.

Small-scale clinical trials performed in men have shown that maca extracts can heighten libido and improve semen quality.^{[citation needed]} Larger studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results. In particular, studies on men with sexual dysfunction and known infertility are needed. None of the studies conducted so far show any effect of maca on sex hormone levels.^{[citation needed]} After 22 days of Maca treatment, the male mouse's mating behavior increases.^{[citation needed]}

No toxicity has been reported.^{[citation needed]}

Maca is consumed in several ways in Peru. Pit-roasted maca hypocotyl is the most common preparation and is called matia. A thick, sweet decoction of maca is made by boiling it in water for several hours (necessary given the altitude). Dried maca roots are also commonly mixed with milk to form porridge. It is frequently mixed with other vegetables, grains, or potatoes, or made into flour for baking. A weak beer made by fermenting maca is known as chicha de maca.^{[citation needed]} Maca smoothies, made by pureeing maca with water or milk, honey, cinnamon, and fruit are also gaining popularity.^{[citation needed]}

The edible leaves of Lepidium meyenii can be used as a leaf vegetable, cooked or raw in salads, and are similar to those of its close relatives Lepidium sativum (garden cress) and Lepidium campestre (field pepperweed).^{[citation needed]}

[edit] References

• Brinkmann, Josef, and Smith, Ed. Photoessay. "Maca Culture of the Jenin Plateau." The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. Volume 10, Number 3, 2004.
• Gonzales GF, Cordova A, Gonzales C, Chung A, Vega K, Villena A. "Lepidium meyenii (maca) improved semen parameters in adult men." Asian Journal of Andrology 2001;3(4):301–3.
• Gonzales GF, Cordova A, Vega K, 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.
• Gonzales GF, Cordova A, Vega K, 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):163–8.
• Smith E. "Maca root: Modern rediscovery of an ancient Andean fertility food." J Amer Herbalists Guild. 2003;4(2):15–21.
• Valentova K, Ulrichova J. "Smallanthus sonchifolius and Lepidium meyenii - prospective Andean crops for the prevention of chronic diseases." Biomed Pap Med Fac Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic, 2003 Dec;147(2):119–30.
• Zheng BL, He K, Hyungchan C, et al. Effect of a lipidic extract from Lepidium meyenii on sexual behavior in mice and rats. Urology 2000; 55: 598-602