Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a mineral-rich cruciferous plant native to Peru, where its roots are traditionally eaten as a vegetable. Maca is an adaptogen capable of balancing the effects of major steroid hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, and appears to generate effects that are specific to the individual's condition, increasing low levels of certain hormones and lowering excess hormone levels. Health professionals who incorporate maca into their treatments report that maca helps maintain sexual function in aging men and women and may be useful in normalizing menopausal and premenstrual symptoms in women.
Maca has been shown to support bone structure, combat stress, increase energy, and promote blood sugar balance and cardiovascular health.
AOR's MACA is the only supplement offering maca grown in an environment free of pesticides and fertilizers. The harvesting process is socially and environmentally responsible: the root is purchased directly from traditional Andean ranchers. The land-use decision-making process is community-based/consensual, with the communal council having the final say on crop planting and harvesting. This allows these peoples to maintain aspects of their traditional culture while integrating to a necessary extent into the dominant cash economy.