Maca is a plant native to the Andes, revered for its many nutritional and medicinal properties. Maca is a true super-food, for it is an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, plant sterols, protein, and essential fatty acids. Both men and women can benefit from maca’s medicinal properties.

Benefits for Women	Benefits for Men
Support for hot flashes, vaginal dryness and other menopausal symptoms	Improves sexual function
Increases libido	Increases testosterone levels
Acts as an antidepressant	Support for andropause
Increases fertility	Promotes fertility
Regulates and normalizes menstrual cycles	Increases sperm count
Increases energy	Increases energy

For an overall endocrine tonic and natural energy booster, try maca in these recipes. You can typically find powdered maca in any health food store.

Power Smoothie

• 1/2 cup fresh or frozen organic berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries)
• 1/2 banana
• 1/4 cup frozen spinach (can also use fresh spinach or kale)
• 1-2 tbsps ground seeds (flax or sunflower ground in coffee grinder)
• 1-2 tbsps maca powder
• 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or any other milk substitute-hemp, rice, soy). You may need more than this, just keep adding more liquid until you reach desired consistency.

Blend and enjoy!

Maca Tea

• Tea of your choice (herbal ideally)
• 1 tsp of maca powder
• 1 cup of hot water
• Milk or your favorite milk alternative
• Honey (optional)

Prepare your favorite cup of tea as you would usually do. When ready, add Maca powder to your cup of tea and stir the mixture. If needed, you can add milk or honey.

Coconut Maca Balls

• 5-6 tbsps of maca powder
• 1/4 cup almond butter
• 1 cup of dried fruit (raisins, dried cranberries and dates are good options)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 cup chopped almonds
• 3 tbsps ground flax seed
• ½ cup unsweetened dried coconut, set aside in a bowl for last step

Directions:

If you are going to use dates as your dried fruit, soak the dates in water for 10 minutes to soften them. Drain them and then put them (or raisins or dried cranberries) in food processor. Add the remaining ingredients (excluding the coconut) and process until a dough forms. If the dough is too dry, add a touch of water. If it is too sticky, add more chopped almonds. Roll the dough into 1 inch balls and then coat them with coconut.  Refrigerate. Enjoy!

Chocolate Maca Truffles

• ½ cup raw seeds (hemp, flax, pumpkin)
• ¼ cup cacao powder
• 6 tbsp maca powder
• ¾ cup walnuts
• 6-8 medjool dates (depends on size; 6 large or 8 small)
• Generous pinch of sea salt
• 1-2 tbsp coconut oil if needed for desired consistency

Directions:

1. In a food processor with an S blade, grind walnuts, salt, and hemp seeds until fine. Add the dates, cacao, and maca, and blend until the mixture is uniform and holds together well. If needed, add 1-2 tbsp coconut oil to enhance the consistency.
2. Shape into balls. Store in fridge or freezer.

Editor’s Note: The information in this article is intended for your educational use only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health practitioners with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before undertaking any diet, supplement, fitness, or other health program.