Maca root can boost sexual libido and help to reverse the symptoms of erectile dysfunction, according to studies.
Sperm numbers were increased and sperm motility was also improved after taking maca, scientists found.
It’s believed the plant helps with erectile dysfunction by shrinking the prostate, and improving blood flow.
Taking a maca product for four months increases semen and sperm count in healthy men, but it’s still not clear if it can improve fertility.
It can also slightly improve sexual dysfunction in women taking antidepressants, it was claimed.
In postmenopausal women, research claims taking mama family for six weeks improves blood pressure and mental health.
Maca’s other reported benefits include balancing hormones, improving stamina, boosting energy and dealing with stress.
Maca is grown in central Peru, in the Andes mountain range.
It’s been grown as a vegetable crop for more than 3,000 years.
It comes from the same family as radishes, and smells like butterscotch.
The vegetable itself is dried naturally in the sun for up to 15 days before being processed.
But, it’s recommended to stop taking maca for seven days after using it for four weeks consecutively, as the body could become used to the supplement.
Men suffering with prostate or testicular cancer should talk with a doctor before taking maca.
It could also cause insomnia if taken before bed.
Research looking into maca’s effect on sexual health’s ongoing, and more evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of the plant on sexual dysfunction, according to WebMD.