Maca: Peru's Natural Viagra [1]  

By Chris Kilham 

The South American country of Peru is home to numerous beneficial plants, including Peruvian maca root, a legendary sex-enhancing root passed down from the Inca. I'd heard about Peruvian maca herb and extract for years. Peruvian maca root has been dubbed "Peruvian ginseng," even though it bears no relation to ginseng. But like ginseng, the maca plant is employed into a Peruvian maca extract to increase strength, energy, stamina, libidoand sexual function, a winning combination of health benefits if there ever was one.  

To investigate maca's health benefits and understand the role that maca plays in Peruvian culture, my wife and I headed down to Peru to explore the maca trail. In the process we met with maca traders, growers and scientists, and came back tremendously impressed by this plant, which is now available as a supplement in U.S. health food stores. 

What is Maca?
Maca, Lepidium meyenii, is an annual plant which produces a radish-like root. The root of maca is typically dried and stored, and will easily keep for seven years. The plant is cultivated in the Junin plateau of Peru's Central Highlands, and was highly revered by the Inca. 

During the height of the Incan empire, legend has it that Incan warriors would consume maca before entering into battle. This would make them fiercely strong. But after conquering a city the Incan soldiers were prohibited from using maca, to protect the conquered women from their powerful sexual impulses. Thus as far back as 500 years ago, maca's reputation for enhancing strength, libido and fertility was already well established in Peru.