Maca is a hardy perennial plant cultivated high in the Andean Mountains. Legend has it that Inca warriors would consume Maca before entering into battle. This would make them extremely strong. But after conquering a city, the Incan soldiers were forbidden from using Maca to protect the conquered women from the warrior's powerful sexual impulses. Maca has been used successfully by native Peruvians as an aphrodisiac, and as an adaptogen to increase energy levels. Its fertility enhancing properties were supported clinically as early as 1961, when researchers discovered it increased the fertility of rats. Recently, scientists have rediscovered the wonders of the herb Maca in enhancing libido and energy levels and in attacking erectile dysfunction. A study published in the April 2000 issue of Urology, the prestigious medical journal that first published the Viagra studies, found Maca's sexual performance powers to be consistent with the legendary reports coming from Peru for hundreds of years. Hugo Malaspina, M.D., a cardiologist practicing complementary medicine in Lima, Peru, has been using Maca in his practice for ten years. Dr. Malaspina first found out about Maca through a group of sexually active older men who were taking the herb with good results. Dr. Malaspina reported: "One man in this group started taking Maca and found he was able to perform satisfactorily in a sexual relationship with a lady friend. Soon everyone in the group began drinking the powdered Maca as a beverage and enjoying the boost that the root was giving their hormonal functions." A chemical analysis conducted in 1981 showed the presence of biologically-active aromatic isothiocyanates, especially p-methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate, which have reputed aphrodisiac properties. Initial analysis of Maca indicates that the effects on fertility are a result of the glucosinolates. Today, dried Maca roots are ground to powder and sold in capsules as a medicine and food supplement to increase stamina & fertility. |
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Suma Root is also known by the names Amazon Ginseng, Brazilian Ginseng, Brazilian Carrots, and Para Todo. This is a shrub that grows in the Amazon Basin, and has long been one of the most highly regarded South American herbs. There has not yet been extensive scientific research, but it does have a long tradition of use as a folk medicine. In Spanish, "suma" means "for all things". The part of this plant used medicinally is the root. The primary chemical constituents of Suma Root include saponins, sitosterol, stigmasterol, allantoin, sesquiterpenes, polyphenols, and germanium. Suma's properties are adaptogen, tonic, aphrodisiac, restorative, and astringent. While not a true member of the Panax ginseng family, it is an authentic adaptogenic herb, and as such exerts a normalizing influence on your body and can help regulate and enhance your endocrine, nervous, digestive, cardiovascular and immune systems. South American Natives have used Suma for centuries to treat wounds, skin rashes, low energy and sexual disinterest. The overall effect is to give you an increased resistance to stress while having a cell-building and regenerating effect. It also has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that can help alleviate chronic and acute pain. Suma Root is also quite valuable nutritionally as it contains essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids and trace elements. It also contains high amounts of the trace element germanium, which is a powerful immune stimulator. The germanium may be partly responsible for Suma's powerful ability to bring more oxygen to the cells. This herb helps fight the virus responsible for Epstein-Barr disease. Japanese research has demonstrated that it inhibits some type of cancerous cells. Suma is also beneficial for treating cardiovascular disease, depression, chronic fatigue and inflammatory conditions.
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