Maca for Menopause

Maca is a plant that is native to the Andes in Peru. Maca roots have been used for a very long time, both for culinary as well as medicinal purposes. This plant is related to radish and turnip and resemble them in looks. The green frilly leaves that are arranged in a rosette, are found lying over the ground. But it is the roots of this plant that are highly valued for therapeutic purposes. The roots have an inverted pear-shaped shape and are fleshy in nature. These plants are usually found at elevations of 4000 to 4,500 meters. Now, there are many different varieties of maca that vary in color of the hypocotyl and the size and shape of the roots. The roots can have a color of cream, gold, purple, blue, black and green. While maca plants with cream-colored roots are widely cultivated in Peru and surrounding regions for their sweetness, those with blue and black roots are found to have strong energy-boosting properties. Even those with reddish roots are being studied for its so-called benefit of reducing prostate size. In general, maca roots have been used through the centuries, as a rejuvenating herb and an aphrodisiac. It is also being used as a herbal treatment for various conditions relating to the male and female reproductive system. Nowadays, maca is fast getting popular as a remedy for menopausal symptoms.

Maca and Menopause

Menopause is that phase of a woman's life that can be uneventful for some, but, for others it may cause a wide range of symptoms that can make life horrible. The most common symptoms of menopause are hot flashes, insomnia, fatigue, depression, vaginal dryness and loss of libido. It is the hormonal fluctuations that take place during this period that is responsible for most of the symptoms. It is said that the onset of menopause may start somewhere around the age of 35. From that time, the ovaries may start slowing down their functions. This will in turn affect the hormonal production, thereby causing hormonal imbalance, leading to various other symptoms as well as health problems. However, menopause is not a disease or disorder and is only a transition phase in a woman's life. These symptoms can be easily managed with certain lifestyle changes and other remedies. There are certain herbs that are used for managing these symptoms and this includes maca root, apart from dong quai and black cohosh.

How Maca Works

As mentioned above, most of the symptoms associated with menopause are caused by the hormonal fluctuations. Mace roots do not contain any hormones as such. But the alkaloids in these roots act upon the endocrine glands, thereby normalizing the hormonal levels. It is said to normalize the levels of estrogen and progesterone and helps the body in achieving a balance between the two, thereby, reducing the symptoms of menopause. Use of maca for menopause, is said to be beneficial in tackling hot flashes, insomnia, vaginal dryness, loss of libido and osteoporosis (associated with menopause). It is also said to be highly effective for those who have undergone hysterectomies or removal of the uterus. Use of maca is claimed to be better than hormone replacement therapy that may end up with undesired results. Apart from reducing the symptoms of menopause, this herb is also claimed to increase sexual desire and boost energy and stamina. Even though there is insufficient evidence to prove maca root efficacy in treating menopause symptoms, it is one of the widely used herbs for this purpose. It is available as powder, dried roots and tea.

In short, use of maca is fast gaining momentum as a herbal remedy to relieve menopause symptoms, as it is found to be effective in most of the users. The efficacy of this herb may vary with individual users, the correct dosage and duration of treatment. It is said to be safe for use in humans and are not found to cause any serious side effects. Those in perimenopause and post menopause are usually administered with lower doses (1000 to 1500 mg), whereas those in the menopausal stage are given higher doses (around 2000 to 5000 mg). But, make sure that you consult a qualified herbal practitioner and use maca as per his instructions. You must stick to the right dosage and the duration of treatment. However, buy these herbal products from trusted manufacturers only.