by Sarah Williams: You may have heard of maca root as nature’s form of Viagra…

This root vegetable which grows in the high altitudes of the Andes Mountains of Peru, is rich in calcium, B vitamins, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, amino acids, vitamins C, E and iron. This Peruvian ginseng, as it’s often referred to, also contains many trace minerals such as zinc and selenium. These two minerals are known to bring health to sexual organs.

Maca has been celebrated as a super food to increase stamina, reduce fatigue, and support both male and female libidos. What’s not to love about it? It even gives post-menopausal woman an extra boost in the bedroom.

Maca is highly nutritious

Maca contains a multitude of plant sterols, like sitosterol, campestrol, ergosterol, brassicasterol, and ergostadienol.

These plant sterols may be responsible for much of maca’s sexual enhancing capabilities. Other chemical compounds of desire include isothiocyanates, which are found in the root. It’s important to note that these nutrients may also boost fertility, so if you’re not wanting to make a baby, take proper precaution!

Another couple of sex-enhancing chemical compounds that have been more recently found in maca are the macamides and macaenes. These two compounds, which appear to exist only in very small quantities, are believed to have a very powerful effect on the libido, particularly in terms of sexual energy and desire.

Maca Supports General Well-Being

We certainly don’t want to be under the weather when we’re thinking of boosting those libidos of ours. Luckily, maca supports overall health in a many, many ways. First, it’s an excellent source of iron and helps support the red blood cells. It also maintains healthy bones and teeth.

If you have a wound that needs healing, maca helps with that, too. It even helps with muscle mass. Use maca in a smoothie before your workout and with time, you may notice sexier muscles for your sweetie.

Maca helps balance women’s moods

Nobody want a grumpy lover, do they? Well, maca has a mood-boosting effect on women because it helps to balance hormones. Maca has long been revered because it helps with those all too familiar women’s issues. Women have taken it to relieve menstrual cramps, mood swings, anxiety, depression – even hot flashes. Note: It’s best not to take maca if you are pregnant or in the throes of making milk for your baby.

Maca is an energy-booster

We can’t exactly be walking around in a fog of fatigue if we want to have a good sex life now can we? Maca has been used for centuries to enhance both stamina and energy. In fact, try adding maca powder to your smoothie every morning and within just a few days you will probably feel its energizing effects. There’s very good reason why athletes have been taking maca for years to remain in peak performance.

Maca is an excellent adaptogen

What’s that? You might wonder. An adaptogen adapts to the needs of your body – perfect for what you may need for your sexuality, given the time in your life. As an adaptogen, it works with the rhythms and needs of your life – from moment to moment. Feeling stressed? We know that stress damages libido. Take some maca.

Need a boost of energy ‘cause you’ve had a rough week in the office? Maca comes to the rescue for increased stamina and endurance. Perhaps your muscles need extra strength for holding those fun positions in the sac. Add maca to your strength-training regimen. What you need in life, translates to the bedroom, and maca can help with that.

Maca offers up glandular support

Maca is thought to support the pituitary glands as well as the hypothalamus. This is really important because these two master glands actually regulate the body’s other glands – the thyroid, adrenal glands, and pancreas. When these glands are functioning optimally, your sex organs get a boost, because as we well know now – it’s all connected.

In addition, many studies have been done that report men who take maca regularly have a decrease in sexual dysfunction. Some studies also point to the fact that maca may also reduce an enlarged prostate. This is essential for sexual health and we want to keep all of our sexual organs functioning optimally for a vital sex life – especially as we age.

Maca boosts circulation

It’s essential that the body has good circulation so that blood flows freely to the sex organs. Maca aids the cardiovascular system with its high mineral content that enhances the circulation of oxygenated blood throughout the body. When oxygenated blood is flowing with fervor, all of our sex organs receive the benefits.

Maca boosts male fertility

As fertility is related to at sexual desire, the more healthy and fertile you are the more vital you are in the bedroom. Maca boosts fertility in men because it increases sperm count, sperm motility (this is the ability for sperm to move around in a spontaneous manner), and the amount of semen. As you can see, this super food fits the bill for both sexes.

Add maca to your soups, salads or smoothies. Make raw cookies using maca powder or bake with it for a warm treat. There are dozens of ways to incorporate it into your diet. You’ll find maca in powdered form, as it only grows in very few places. As always, seek out the raw, organic version to receive optimal sexual health benefits.