New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Maca?

post #1 of 21
6/1/10 at 12:21pm
Thread Starter 
I'm hearing Maca is good for adrenal glands, energy and libido...anyone know much about it? How is it best consumed? Is it tasty? How much would I want to eat? Any reason not to try it (I'm nursing a 1 year old)?
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 21
6/1/10 at 2:00pm
I can't answer all the other questions, but I found it to be decidedly not tasty! I used it for a bit during my long period of ttc and had to stop because i found it a bit too stimulating (made my heart race and I felt very warm). But I have read great things and would consider it again if I felt a specific need. There does not seem to be a lot of actual research on it though, so if you do decide to take it, proceed cautiously!

(Here is one article, TONS more with searching as you have probably seen.)
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 21
6/1/10 at 3:13pm
I have felt helped by it. I have mixed it with my Acerola in water in the mornings, and find it very palatable that way. You only need a very small amount -- like 1/6 of a teaspoon. I ordered from Radiant Life, and they sell a different kind, which is sun-dried or something, instead of raw. They say that traditional people always prepared their maca with low-heat cooking of some kind. But lots of places sell it raw. Perhaps that's the difference in people's experiences? Not sure.

I was just thinking I need to do it again -- I stopped when I ran out of acerola to mix it with.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 21
6/1/10 at 4:32pm
I used maca in smoothies when I was trying to get my cycle to regulate when it returned while nursing DS2 (and also for adrendals, and because it is supposed to be really good for you). It does taste pretty bad, but I found it to be tolerable when the smoothie had enough other flavors to mask it a bit.

I should also note, however, that it is a strong fertility herb, and that I got pregnant the same cycle that I started taking it, lol. You've been warned!
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 21
6/1/10 at 6:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tolovemercy View Post
I used maca in smoothies when I was trying to get my cycle to regulate when it returned while nursing DS2 (and also for adrendals, and because it is supposed to be really good for you). It does taste pretty bad, but I found it to be tolerable when the smoothie had enough other flavors to mask it a bit.

I should also note, however, that it is a strong fertility herb, and that I got pregnant the same cycle that I started taking it, lol. You've been warned!
Lol whew I've heard that about maca! dogmom great thread because it's something I've been thinking of trying as well but I think tolovemercy scared me off I don't want to be pregnant again YET.
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 21
6/1/10 at 7:17pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by tolovemercy View Post

I should also note, however, that it is a strong fertility herb, and that I got pregnant the same cycle that I started taking it, lol. You've been warned!
Hmmm...I'm not sure DH would consider that little side effect worth the potential benefits...but then there's always extra precautions on his end
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 21
6/1/10 at 10:16pm
Did anyone take Maca while nursing? Is it safe?
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 21
6/2/10 at 3:19am
Here's a traditional food blog that explores maca (look towards the end of the recipe index):

http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/recipe-index

I wasn't aware of maca until a few months back when a friend suggested it to me as I'm pregnant and had very low energy back then (well I still do but I'm 38 weeks and it is very hot here ).

It really helped out, I feel an energy rush every time I take it.
Yes the taste is not great but I add it in a smoothie with other things (eg almond milk, whey protein powder, hemp, sunflower/pumking seeds and recently I got some mesquite powder that helps even more in masking the flavour.

I always buy the raw kind.
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 21
6/2/10 at 11:05am
Thread Starter 
I ordered some and I think I'm going to make capsules since I'll be more apt to take it. DH has been warned about the fertility issue...
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 21
6/4/10 at 4:36pm
Thread Starter 
So I got some raw Maca powder from Azure Standard and I filled some "00" size capsules. Anyone want to take a stab at how much I should take?

TIA!
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 21
6/4/10 at 5:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dogmom327 View Post
So I got some raw Maca powder from Azure Standard and I filled some "00" size capsules. Anyone want to take a stab at how much I should take?

TIA!
I think I was taking 2,000mg/day.
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 21
6/4/10 at 7:48pm
I've heard very small amounts, like between 1/6 to 1/3 of a teaspoon.
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 21
6/4/10 at 11:55pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks! I took 4 capsules earlier and I do feel better today. Could be a placebo effect so I guess we'll see how it goes in a few days.
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 21
6/7/10 at 11:12pm
it tastes pretty good in a peanut butter or almond butter, banana, whole milk smoothie with a dash of vanilla and raw cacoa. I really enjoyed it that way, but Maca upsets my stomach. I can only use a teeny tiny amount.
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 21
6/7/10 at 11:24pm
Thread Starter 
So after 3 days of taking 4 "00" capsules a day I'm doing pretty good. I feel a bit more energy in multiple areas of my life (). So I'd say it works although I suppose I don't know if I'm any more fertile--hopefully we won't be finding out anytime soon...need another year of nursing DD
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 21
6/8/10 at 2:16pm
Ditto TonyaW, I add it to my plain yog, choc soy, banana, whey protein and ice smoothie, maybe a teaspoon tops, and it blends in decently, adds that PB taste. I've not yet paid attention to if it helps (I'm taking it for adrenal/burnout issues) but I'll try to start paying attention. I buy it in the powdered form.
Reply
Reply
post #17 of 21
6/8/10 at 2:37pm
i was using maca for the last 2 years and didnt notice a thing. thinking about trying it again because my adrenals are fatiged
Reply
Reply
post #18 of 21
10/30/10 at 9:38pm
Just found this thread while searching "maca". I decided to try maca for my AF, since it tends to be very heavy and long most months. Also, my cramps can be so bad some months, and not so bad other months. I don't have a measuring spoon that goes lower than 1/4 tsp, so I took about 1/2 of that today for the first time. Does anyone know if that would be a good amount to start with? It's about 1/8 tsp. Since I sometimes tend to be cautious, I'll start with that and maybe work my way up to 1/2 tsp in a couple weeks.

Has anyone else had good results with maca, not only with PMS issues, but in general?
Reply
Reply
post #19 of 21
10/30/10 at 9:46pm
I was taking 1 T. a day in my smoothie. I wasn't consistent enough to say it helped for sure, but I was having more regular cycles when I was taking it.
Reply
Reply
post #20 of 21
10/30/10 at 10:38pm
Anyone have any good links about maca? I've never heard of it before but we're ttc and are having a hard time. Would be great if this worked for us!
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Traditional Foods