All of Your Questions About Maca, Answered
Though maca has been used for thousands of years, it has only recently become a go-to for health-conscious consumers. Today, in honor of our newest product - Funky Time Organic Maca Concentrate - we thought we’d dive into all things maca, from what it is to how you use it. We think you’ll be shocked at all the benefits!
What is maca?
Maca originated in Peru and has a long history of both culinary and medicinal use there. It’s actually a cruciferous veggie, with relatives like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and kale. Maca is rich in an array of nutrients, including vitamin C, copper, iron, potassium, vitamin B6 and manganese.
But it’s true claim to fame is its ability to increase libido in both men and women. In fact, you won’t find any article about maca that doesn’t include this tidbit (believe us, we’ve looked!). We can’t blame people for wanting to find natural ways to get their funky time on.
Maca is also a potent adaptogen that’s packed with antioxidants, and it’s well-known for its capacity to support energy and vitality.
Just like seed cycling does, maca may also help balance hormones and mood. We’re listing some of its other awesome benefits below:
- Improve menopausal symptoms
- Improve mood
- Support brain health and memory
- Increase libido
- Increase fertility - this benefit likely applies to men too!
- Lower blood pressure
A natural way to improve sex drive, energy, and mood? Sign us up!
An important note: Here at Funk It, we opt for gelatinized maca instead of raw maca. That’s because raw maca is akin to eating a raw potato - it’s not all that enjoyable and hard for our body to digest and absorb. In fact, eating raw maca can be dangerous, and it’s never recommended. That’s where gelatinized maca comes in. Contrary to what you might be thinking, it doesn’t contain any gelatin. Instead, gelatinization is simply the cooking process that makes maca safer to consume (and more nourishing, too!).
What are adaptogens?
We’re willing to bet that most of you have heard of adaptogens. This traditional form of herbal medicine is now everywhere! Adaptogens have made their mark for their ability to balance hormones and other body systems, specifically the adrenals.
They work by gently supporting your body and encouraging it to do what it’s naturally built to do. Adaptogens won’t make up for you skimping on sleep, eating a diet high in sugar and vegetable oils, or not fitting movement in. Instead, they help to support the healthy changes you’re already making in your health and wellness by modulating healthy function. Since adaptogens are gentle, it can sometimes take three months or more to notice an impact from taking them.
How can I incorporate maca?
Since our Funky Time maca is designed to help you feel less stress and summon your sexual energy and libido, we highly recommend incorporating it daily. The bonus with our maca is that we’ve done the sourcing for you, so you know you’re getting the highest-quality option out there.
Our maca powder has a slightly sweet and nutty flavor – think graham cracker fairy dust (come on - did we get you with that one?!). It goes perfectly in smoothies, oats, bliss balls, lattes, or yogurt - basically, anything you can mix it in. Plus, since the serving is 1 tsp, it’s easy to add to whatever you choose.
When can I use maca?
The exciting news? Maca is great for basically anyone, at any stage in their cycle, at any age. Whether you’re just beginning your period or you’re in perimenopause, menopause, or post-menopause, maca can help. It’s particularly helpful during perimenopause and menopause, since gelatinized maca can help balance hormones and boost libido. This makes it a great addition to counteract some of the not-so-fun hormonal shifts that accompany these hormonal phases. And if you’re just a general cycling human that’s feeling a little run down or not so inclined to get your funky on, maca is for you, too!
There are a few caveats, though. If you have thyroid issues, you may want to be careful with maca. It contains goitrogens, which may interfere with normal thyroid function, especially if you have existing impaired thyroid function. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also ask their practitioner before supplementing with maca. When in doubt, ask your doctor!
The bottom line? Maca has a wide range of benefits and is generally safe for the majority of people. It’s an easy way to boost your health and libido (which let’s be honest - we’re ALL here for).