The modern world is full of stress. Everyone, it seems, is looking for a way to reduce stress, decrease fatigue, and boost their immune system. We’re all on the hunt for the best way to adapt to the everyday stress of modern life. But perhaps the best advice can be found not in modern life but thousands of years ago from older cultural practices like traditional Chinese medicine.
Long before Western medicine was talking about balance and prevention, Chinese medicine knew the benefits of adaptogens. Today, the Western world is just catching up to what others had mastered for generations. Both traditional medicine in China and indigenous cultures high in the mountains of Peru have been successfully using adaptogens, long before they had that modern name.
The simplest way to explain adaptogens is to look at the root of the word itself: “adapt.” Adaptogens, typically herbs, help the body adapt. They strengthen the endocrine system so the body can better cope with stress and pressure. They can balance hormones. They strengthen and boost immune systems. All of this can result in reduced stress. People looking for alternatives to caffeine or prescribed medications are using adaptogens to reduce their body’s reaction to stress, preparing them to adapt—instead of react.
Our body’s natural responses to stress are flight, fight, and freeze. That can be great in moments of real and present danger. Fear keeps us alert. But when those responses to stress become regular, everyday occurrences, they can cause health problems.
What’s the science behind that? Every time you encounter a stressful situation, your body creates a hormone called “cortisol.” In small or infrequent amounts, cortisol helps your body deal with stress. But when those stressful situations become a daily occurrence, your body creates too much cortisol. This results in chronic stress.
Chronic stress leads to a long list of health problems. It can raise blood pressure and lower sex drive. It can increase fatigue, anxiety, depression, and even inflammation. Constant high stress levels result in health problems, not just physically but also mentally.
So how do we deal with all these physical and emotional results of stress? We can do what we can to reduce stress, but modern life makes that hard. So, what’s the answer?
Enter adaptogens. From holy basil to medicinal mushrooms, ashwaganda to ginseng, there are plenty of natural ways to find stress relief and hormonal health.
But one of these unique plants is not just an adaptogen but also a superfood: maca.
Classified as both an adaptogen and a superfood, maca is a root vegetable used by natives of the high Peruvian Andes for centuries to boost energy and libido. It’s also revered for its ability to provide hormonal balance, reducing stress and anxiety. Called “Peruvian ginseng” by some, maca is perhaps one of the most powerful adaptogens.
Maca root, like other adaptogens, works by boosting the immune system and balancing hormones. It can support healthy energy levels and adrenal health. Maybe you’re leaning into the hustle of your career. Perhaps you’re frazzled by the care of kids in your family. Or perhaps you’re experiencing hormonal changes with menopause. Whatever the cause of an imbalance of hormones and an increase of stress in your life, adaptogenic maca can help you regain your balance.
But maca provides much more than its adaptogen qualities. It’s also a superfood. So, what are superfoods? Foods with “nutrient density,” which means they’re exceptionally high in nutrients in comparison to their calories, are often called superfoods. Some nutritionists and health professionals prefer the term “nutrient-dense food.” Maca is a nutrient-dense food, especially high in amino acids, phytonutrients, fatty acids, vitamin and minerals. It’s loaded with bioavailable plant protein and has more calcium than milk. Maca contains nearly every essential amino acid. Combine those high nutrients with its adaptogen qualities, and maca is definitely a “super” food.
Many adaptogenic herbs have unappealing flavors that make them best taken in capsule form. Maca, in comparison, is easy to add into your daily foods. This superfood’s flavor is sometimes called nutty, sometimes earthy, sometimes compared to butterscotch. (We think that last one might be a stretch.)
However you describe the flavor of maca, though, maca powders are easily added to everything from smoothies to soups to teas. We even have a blend of maca, mezquite, and cacao that can be added to, or even replace, your morning coffee.
Unlike a one-time magic bullet, the benefit of adaptogens builds over time, sometimes taking several weeks of regular use to get to its full effect. With regular use, it’s important to find an adaptogen that can be enjoyable to take every day. Adaptogenic maca, whether added to foods and drinks in powder form, or taken in liquid extracts or capsules, provides a pleasurable way to get a handle on your stressful life.
It can seem impossible to get rid of stress in our lives. So we’re going to have to learn to adapt. Maca—a powerful adaptogen and superfood—may just be your key to finding balance and adapting.
Enjoy the day!
I shop around a lot for my supplements and health foods, and I have to say you guys at The Maca Team are light years ahead of anyone else selling maca out in the marketplace. Thanks for all you do!
By Jim Price, The Green Marketing Guru
Loving the red maca from themacateam. I can tell the difference from my usual store-bought brands. It really tastes so fresh and sweet compared to others. I really love this product. Thanks for sourcing it for us to enjoy
By Michelle Gebbia
I LOVE Maca Team Maca...this was my first purchase with the Maca Team and I have no need to try any other Maca-producer. The Maca tastes fresh and flavorful, the Kilo bag is a great price, and I feel so much more at ease (Maca is such powerful medicine :) )
By Lizzie Thompson
I take 24 products from five to six times a week to increase my well-being and sensual and sexual delights. ;D The Maca Team’s organic maca is one of them—nine grams in my smoothie, Monday to Saturday. The Maca Team is a small business run by a family who cares about its customers, its Peruvian maca growers, and the environment. It's vital to know the source of everything we put in our mouths. Physical and mental health are precious treasures. :D
By Jerry Montero
By Milt Thompson
This product is amazing! I have used other cheaper brands of white maca with fairly good results, but after trying the Maca Team maca, I noticed within two weeks all of my menopausal symptoms had completely vanished. Others described a bad taste and smell, but I have tried the black and the red and find them both to be mild tasting. I use a tablespoon in my daily smoothly
By Joy
Maca first came to us by our vitamin supplier. Then we ordered from the Maca Team. Comparison? Think fire-fly, then think mid-day sun. At 76 and 73 years respectively, that is a big deal; and at comparable cost too. We never have we had such speedy delivery and the packaging is the strongest, most protective we've seen, ever, at all ... anywhere. Further, the Mrs. no longer takes hormone supplements. And Mr. scans the morning want ads for steady P/T work.
By George & Sherri
I had been using another brand of maca powder and decided to try The Maca Team's. The difference in freshness is night and day, and better tasting . I'm 6 foot 250 lbs. and take 4 teaspoons every day w/ my protein shake. Great energy boost and just feel great all day. I can tell a difference when I do not take it. best price that I have found {36oz}. I will be buying more as needed.
By J.D.
I've tried various maca brands over the last 20 years and The Maca Team brand is very special. There is definitely a difference when it comes to the quality and colors of the maca. This red maca does seem to nourish certain parts of my body while the black maca nourishes something else. I know I've been missing the nutrition these maca provide. I'm 75 years old and bodies wear out, but I'm finding I'm regaining a functioning body. How wonderful is this?!?!!!
By Janis Ihrig
I just wanted to thank you for your excellently constructed website. I am a physician and I recently started learning about Maca. I get a very good sense of it, and I expect I will try it out myself and possibly be recommending it to patients in the future. If so, your website will be the first place to send people. Thanks again.
By Adam Holt
Love the Maca team, In an earlier comment I said I was on the fence about where to buy Maca .Not anymore .You shouldn’t be either. The team has answered any questions I’ve had promptly. I feel like I’m dealing with friends, not some company far away out for my money only. The Maca is fresh, prices are good, the people are nice. If you’re on the fence, don’t be, you won’t be sorry.
By Bob
My Maca came in today and it has all the information on it! I must say this is the best tasting Maca I have tried!! Thank you again for a great product!! I will only order from you in future as well!
By Stormi Evans
First I would like to say I love this product. I was very skeptical about a natural product with so many benefits but this stuff really works. Second, I love this company. From the web site to the way they run their company this a top-notch team. I will be ordering from The Maca Team from now on. Great job guys keep doing what you are doing.
By Darren Rivers Sr.
We love this product. I own a store and work with clients holistically. We have recommended maca for years however, this is the highest quality product we have ever carried. I am proud to offer it in my store.
By Mellissa Gage, Infinity and Beyond
I am really happy that I chose the Maca Team, today you can find many distributors selling Maca powder, however quality of the powder is impossible to compare. Moreover, the results after 2 weeks I could feel. Before I was taking maca powder and I did not feel any changes. But since I started taking Maca from Maca Team the changes are incredible. So, I did a test.:) I gave the powder to my partner ... and after 2 weeks he was impressed and told me that he has more energy, feeling happy... Thank you The Maca Team!!!!
By Olga
I do want to say that I have done quite a bit of research on different companies that offer Maca and The Maca Team definitely is the most reputable. Thank you again for your kindness and professionalism :)
By T.C.
Read All Reviews