The thinning hair at my crown has shown and I started taking maca root powder for hair growth. Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a plant that grows in central Peru, and its roots are often used for medicine (fertility, anemia, chronic fatigue, depression, leukemia, tuberculosis, cancer, and HIV/Aids).
Maca root comes from the maca plant that is native to Peru. It’s grown everywhere from Bolivia to Argentina and has traditionally been used for fertility in humans and in agriculture. Maca root is known by many names including Peruvian ginseng, Maino, Ayuk willku, and Ayak chichira.
Maca root is high in amino acids and B-vitamins* that:
- elevate mood
- improve endurance
- enhance blood circulation
- increase hair growth
Maca root contains over 55 phytochemicals that protect the body. Phytochemicals deserve a raise!
The American Institute for Cancer Research lists the following benefits:
- Stimulates the immune system
- Blocks substances we eat, drink and breathe from becoming carcinogens
- Reduces the kind of inflammation that makes cancer growth more likely
- Prevents DNA damage and help with DNA repair
- Reduces the type of oxidative damage to cells that can spark cancer
- Slows the growth rate of cancer cells
- Triggers damaged cells to commit suicide before they can reproduce
- Helps to regulate hormones
I’m watching this supplement closely to see if I notice a visible difference in hair growth. The other benefits don’t hurt. My hair definitely looks thicker and fuller.
Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a cruciferous root vegetable that comes from the Brassicaceae family (the mustard family of flowering plants). We love this family because it includes:
- cabbage
- broccoli
- cauliflower
- brussels sprouts
- KALE
- turnips
- rutabaga
I started using maca root powder a few years ago when my 3-year old started having digestive problems. Since it’s PACKED with 31 trace minerals, healing phytochemicals, fatty acids (helps control inflammation) and vitamins, we added it to his meals and smoothies. It helped heal the lining of his stomach and colon while strengthening his little immune system. DJ’s stomach is healed and happy now (that was 3 years ago). He still gets a little of the root but maintains a joyful stomach with a gluten-free diet, probiotics and pre-biotics (green juice; The Green Buddha is his fave:).
What else is maca root used for?
Maca root has been used medicinally for over 3000 years. In recent years it’s been an effective treatment for:
- anemia
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- gastrointestinal conditions
- menopause
- stomach cancer
- leukemia
- tuberculosis
- HIV/AIDS
- osteoporosis
- relieving the symptoms of depression and anxiety
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- fibromyalgia
Here are 19 Other Bodacious Benefits of Maca Root Powder
- Restores hormone imbalances
- Boosts energy (in a noticeable way)
- Enhances mental clarity
- Improves mood
- Increases stamina
- Helps regulate menstrual cycles
- Balances mood by naturally decreasing symptoms of depression and anxiety
- Helps prevent osteoporosis
- Thickens and conditions hair
- Promotes hair growth
- Helps the body build muscle
- Strengths the bones
- Improves sexual function, libido, and fertility
- Boosts the immune system
- Improves the quality of sleep
- Decreases symptoms of PMS and menopause
- Enhances feelings of well-being
- Improves memory
- It’s an adaptogen (a unique group of herbal ingredients that improve the health of your adrenal system, which improves your body’s hormonal response to stress)
Maca-root powder contains more than 55 phytochemicals, known to elevate mood and improve endurance and blood circulation. It is also high in amino acids and B vitamins, including B12 (pg. 26).
Goddess & Chef Jenny Ross, Raw Basics
It’s #1 on my list of the Top Ingredients for 2018 as the best all-around hair ingredient for natural health, wellness, and hair growth. Plus a boost to the libido always works.
If using the edible varieties of maca root, add 1 tablespoon to your morning smoothies, or a teaspoon to your favorite tea.
Where To Buy
There are many healthy brands of maca root out there. As always, do your own research on this botanical before you take it and add it to your hair (see the safety recommendations at the end). Buy vegan and organic when you can so that there are no artificial, unidentified fillers, oils, and whatnot in your vitamin. I’ve used Navitas Maca Powder to add to meals, and Nature’s Way Maca Root for a supplement (525mg; 1 a day).
Maca Root Powder Recipes
Here are 4 simple recipes you can make with maca root powder. I’ve found when applying it to your hair, it works better in a spritz, hair tonic or tea.
1. Magnificent Maca Root Hair Tonic
Strengthen, moisturize, & grow with this juicy tonic!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces distilled water
- 1 tablespoon aloe vera juice
- 1 tablespoon vegetable glycerin
- 1 teaspoon maca-root powder
- 2 drops ylang ylang essential oil
- 4 drops lemon essential oil
- Optional – 1/2 teaspoon calendula extract
Instructions
- Add ingredients to a bottle.
- Shake ingredients.
- Spritz like it’s New Years!
2. Goddess Power Juice
Sweet, refreshing, and good for your hair, mind, skin!
Ingredients
- 2 oranges
- 2 carrots
- 6 fresh strawberries
- 1/2 cucumber
- 1 tsp maca root powder
- 1/2 lemon
Instructions
- Prepare citrus by rinsing and peeling.
- Cut off the stems of your berries.
- Juice oranges, strawberries, carrots, cucumber, and lemon.
- Pour the juice into your blender.
- Add maca-root powder and blend.
- Pour into a tall chilled glass.
Notes
1 teaspoon agave nectar for extra sweetness.
3. Blueberry Maca Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- a big handful of ice
- 1 tablespoon maca root powder
- 2 bananas
- 1 cup hemp seed milk (coconut and almond milk are delicious substitutes)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Combine blueberries, maca, bananas, and hemp seed milk into a blender.
- Blend until smooth. If needed, add more hemp seed milk or water to achieve a smooth consistency.
- Sprinkle in cinnamon and vanilla extract and blend again.
- Taste smoothie and add more cinnamon and/or vanilla extract as desired. Enjoy!
Notes
Make your smoothie thicker and creamier by freezing the bananas first.
4. Raw Caramel Sauce
If you love caramel, you’ll really love it raw! Sweet, delicious and 1/2 the sugar:)
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw agave nectar
- 1 tablespoon lucuma root powder
- 1 tablespoon maca-root powder
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice blend
- dash of salt
Instructions
- Blend all of the ingredients in a blend or whisk until smooth and creamy.
- This sauce doesn’t need to be refrigerated.
Notes
Apple pie seasoning is also good as a substitute for pumpkin pie spice.
Safety & Side Effects of Maca Root Powder
WebMD considers this to be ‘likely’ safe in foods and ‘possibly’ safe in medicine, which means it’s ok??? They did say that it shouldn’t be taken if you have any hormone-sensitive conditions:
“Hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Extracts from maca might act like estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, do not use these extracts.”