College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

 

AYURVEDIC HERB SUPPLEMENTS

Maca Herbal Powder (Lepidium meyenii)

Energizing nutritive adaptogen from the mustard family.

How Does This Ayurvedic Herb Supplement Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Called Peruvian ginseng for its adapatogenic qualities. Energizing nutritive adaptogen. Earthy, nutty, sweet.

Increases libido, virility. Eases hormonal PMS; reduces menopausal hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, anxiety by acting on HPA-axis (doesn't have phytoestrogens).

Metabolic Nature of Maca

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.

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MOBILE

ABOUT MOBILE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Mobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity.

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HOT

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.

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TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

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BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes and is laxative, and drying.

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PUNGENT

ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.

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SWEET

ABOUT SWEET BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

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DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.

Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.

Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.

Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.

The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).

Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.

Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.

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PACIFIES
Pitta pacifying Vata pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Kapha aggravating

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.

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PACIFIES
CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

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MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

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AGGRAVATES
PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Wet & cold. When out of balance becomes congested, stagnant, and overweight. Loving, trusting, and patient.

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SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot & moist. Full-blooded, vigorous. Vivacious, social, and epicurean. Bullish.

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Other

Anti Aging

ANTI-AGING

Geriatric conditions typically involve low agni / metabolism, poor circulation, weakness & debility, muscle weakening, poor digestion, a drop in sex hormones, and connective tissue degradation in bones & skin.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-AGING' FOODS / HERBS

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Energy Vitality

ENERGY-VITALITY

Includes vitality improving foods, herbs, and exercises by dosha.

SEE ALL 'ENERGY-VITALITY' FOODS / HERBS

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Maca
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)
Nervine

NERVINE

Balances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature.

SEE ALL 'NERVINE' FOODS / HERBS

Builds Stamina

BUILDS-STAMINA

Promotes strength, endurance and resistance in the body. Rebuilds weak tissues after a time of depletion.

SEE ALL 'BUILDS-STAMINA' FOODS / HERBS

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Stimulates Energy

STIMULATES-ENERGY

This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs.

SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-ENERGY' FOODS / HERBS

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Nutritive

NUTRITIVE

An herb that is strengthening and nourishing.

SEE ALL 'NUTRITIVE' FOODS / HERBS

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Tonic

TONIC

A tonic herb restores function through strengthening tissue. This can happen through a combination of nourishing the tissue, and invigorating tissue metabolism. The tonic should not be withering, as in caffeine.

SEE ALL 'TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Bronchodilator

BRONCHODILATOR

An herb that encourages the widening or opening of the lung airways. They are helpful in wheezing and asthma.

SEE ALL 'BRONCHODILATOR' FOODS / HERBS

Adaptogen

ADAPTOGEN

Herbs that promote stabilization of physiological processes and homeostasis. Adaptogens increase the body's ability to resist the damaging effects of stress and promote or restore normal physiological functioning.

SEE ALL 'ADAPTOGEN' FOODS / HERBS

Lowers Thyroid

LOWERS-THYROID

Reduces thyroid function. Useful for people with hyperthyroid.

SEE ALL 'LOWERS-THYROID' FOODS / HERBS

Antiandrogen

STRONG ANTIANDROGEN

Reduces androgen (testosterone), which can reduce excess growth, drive, and libido. Reduces skin oiliness. Helpful for prostate enlargement.

SEE ALL 'ANTIANDROGEN' FOODS / HERBS

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Anti Estrogenic

ANTI-ESTROGENIC

Reduces estrogen, which reduces thickness of the uterus endometrium, pelvic congestive disorders like fibroids, and frequently dysmenorrhea as well.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-ESTROGENIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Aphrodisiac

APHRODISIAC

Herbs that increase sexual arousal through various actions including increased circulation, relaxation, stimulation, or tonics that strengthen glandular health.

SEE ALL 'APHRODISIAC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Estrogenic

ESTROGENIC

Increases estrogen, helpful in menopause. Estrogen is anabolic and increases muscle growth, bone density, and moisture.

SEE ALL 'ESTROGENIC' FOODS / HERBS

Foods with a Similar Nature to Maca

  • Almonds

    Almonds has these Actions in Common

    Nervine, Tonic, Aphrodisiac, Nutritive, Builds-stamina, Stimulates-energy

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  • Flower / Bee Pollen

    Flower / Bee Pollen has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive, Aphrodisiac, Stimulates-energy, Builds-stamina, Tonic

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  • Fenugreek

    Fenugreek has these Actions in Common

    Estrogenic, Stimulates-energy, Nervine, Aphrodisiac, Nutritive

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  • Lamb's Quarters

    Lamb's Quarters has these Actions in Common

    Builds-stamina, Tonic, Nutritive, Stimulates-energy

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  • Goji Berry

    Goji Berry has these Actions in Common

    Nervine, Tonic, Nutritive, Stimulates-energy

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  • Chocolate (Cacao)

    Chocolate (Cacao) has these Actions in Common

    Nervine, Aphrodisiac, Stimulates-energy, Bronchodilator

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  • Alfalfa Sprouts

    Alfalfa Sprouts has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive, Anti-estrogenic, Stimulates-energy, Estrogenic

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  • Oats / Oatmeal

    Oats / Oatmeal has these Actions in Common

    Builds-stamina, Nervine, Adaptogen, Nutritive

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  • Sesame Seeds

    Sesame Seeds has these Actions in Common

    Stimulates-energy, Builds-stamina, Tonic, Nutritive

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  • Tahini

    Tahini has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive, Stimulates-energy, Builds-stamina, Tonic

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  • Sesame Oil

    Sesame Oil has these Actions in Common

    Stimulates-energy, Builds-stamina, Tonic, Nutritive

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Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Maca

  • Ginseng, Chinese

    Ginseng, Chinese has these Actions in Common

    Estrogenic, Nutritive, Stimulates-energy, Tonic, Adaptogen, Antiandrogen, Builds-stamina

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  • Bala

    Bala has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive, Stimulates-energy, Tonic, Aphrodisiac, Builds-stamina, Nervine

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  • Ashwagandha

    Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common

    Adaptogen, Aphrodisiac, Builds-stamina, Nervine, Nutritive, Tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Balarishta- Vitality Tonic

    Balarishta- Vitality Tonic has these Actions in Common

    Tonic, Aphrodisiac, Builds-stamina, Nervine, Stimulates-energy

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  • Rhodiola

    Rhodiola has these Actions in Common

    Tonic, Adaptogen, Builds-stamina, Estrogenic, Stimulates-energy

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  • Saw Palmetto

    Saw Palmetto has these Actions in Common

    Antiandrogen, Aphrodisiac, Nervine, Nutritive, Tonic

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  • Black Cohosh

    Black Cohosh has these Actions in Common

    Anti-estrogenic, Bronchodilator, Estrogenic, Nervine, Tonic

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  • Eleuthero Ginseng

    Eleuthero Ginseng has these Actions in Common

    Nervine, Stimulates-energy, Tonic, Adaptogen, Builds-stamina

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  • Amalaki

    Amalaki has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive, Stimulates-energy, Tonic, Adaptogen, Aphrodisiac

    LEARN MORE

  • Dong Quai

    Dong Quai has these Actions in Common

    Bronchodilator, Estrogenic, Nervine, Stimulates-energy, Adaptogen

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

Guidelines - Preparation & Dose

1/2tsp 2x/day or as directed by your practitioner.
See guidelines for herbs?
Follow these guidelines

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Maca may be beneficial for these symptoms. The suitability of any herb supplement for a condition is highly dependent on the individual. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Maca may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

Here are some potential herb drug interactions with Maca. Please see your health care provider for more information.

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* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information and products on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.