What’s in maca that promotes its sex-enhancing effects? Science hasn’t solved the problem for sure, but herbalists have figured it out.
Isothiocyanates are found in the root of the maca. These compounds induce protective phase 2 enzymes, which fight cancer by detoxifying carcinogens and pushing them out of the body. Maca contains benzyl thiocyanate and p-methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate in small amounts, which may also enhance fertility.
Alkaloids play a role in maca’s sex-enhancing effects. This is more of an assumption than anything else as alkaloids are in maca in trace amounts.
Macamides and macaenes are the names given to two groups of novel compounds in maca discovered by a team of analytical chemists at Pure-World Botanicals. Preliminary experiments point to these compounds as likely sex and energy enhancers. In the experiments, sexual activity and stamina increased significantly as the quanties of macamides and macaenes in the diet increase.
Now how much maca should you take? A lot – that’s what. You need a minimum of 5 grams of powdered maca daily.
Maca Smoothie
8 oz of papaya, pear, grapefruit or apple juice
2 tablespoons of vanilla yogurt
1 ripe banana
1 tablespoon of powdered maca
vanilla extract – to taste
Another version I love:
4 oz of orange juice, 2 bananas and 10 really big strawberries – with the 1 tablespoon maca with 1 cup vanilla yogurt. .
