I don’t know about you, but this hormone balancing act is exhausting. Things change so quickly and there is so much information out there. What might work for one person, might not work for the next. For me it is a lot of trial and error and I love to read about and try new things that give some health benefit. Today’s herb of choice is Maca. Have you heard of Maca? The Maca plant is grown in the Andes of central Peru and Peruvians have used maca for years . I have been researching how to use maca for hormone balancing. Which happens to be one of the many benefits of this plant.
So what exactly is Maca?
Maca is a plant native to Peru. The root of the Maca plant is dried and consumed as a powder and typically has a earthy, nutty flavour. Maca is categorized as an adaptogen herb. Adaptogens are herbs that help our bodies naturally adapt to stressors such a day to day stresses. They are also used to promote general health and wellbeing but can have many other health benefits.
Benefits of Maca
Maca has been shown to boost energy, improve memory and concentration, relieve menopause and perimenopause symptoms, boost libido and is an antioxidant booster. And to be honest as we head down the tunnel of perimenopause and menopause, who doesn’t need a little boost with all these symptoms.
Fun Fact: Maca belongs to the same cruciferous family as broccoli and radishes.
Typically one would take 1-2 tsp of maca daily. It can be taken in a capsule form but you can also add it to food. This way is preferred by me. I would rather eat it with food, then take a pill. Although some may just prefer taking the pill. You can add the maca powder to almost anything. Smoothies, coffee or hot chocolate. Add it to your baking such as energy balls, cookies, homemade granola bars, pancakes or waffles. Although my favourite way of having it is in some chocolate bark for a sweet treat!
Chocolate Bark with Maca
Ingredients
- 1-1/4 cups Chocolate chips/chunks 55% chocolate or higher is recommended.
- 1 tbsp Coconut oil
- 1/2 cup Rice crispies can use gluten free also
- 1/2 cup chopped almonds
- 2 tsp maca powder
Instructions
- In a double boiler, melt chocolate with coconut oil. Once melted, remove from heat and add rice crispies, almonds and maca powder. Stir to combine.Pour onto a sheet pan covered in parchment. Cool in the fridge or freezer. Once cooled, break into pieces of various sizes. Store in the fridge.
You never know what will work for you when it come to health benefits of Maca. You may just want to give this a try to help with the roller coaster of hormones we are on.
Typically there are no side effects with taking maca but with its hormone altering effects, you will want to have a chat with your health care practitioner if you have thyroid issues, cancers or if you are pregnant 🙂
Looking for ways to add maca for hormone balancing. Check out these Three Hormone Balancing Smoothies.
Danni
