Product of Peru

There is evidence that maca has been cultivated in Peru as far back as 1600 BC. We source our certified organic maca root from high up on the Junin Plateau in the Peruvian Andes. The stark, beautiful environment on the plateau is home to very few plants. Maca is one of the rare and special botanicals that can thrive in the extreme ecological zone. Days filled with intense sunlight and evenings of whipping winds and freezing temperatures infuse the roots with strength.

After harvesting only the finest maca roots, they are slow-dried and gently milled at low temperatures to preserve the natural integrity of the food. Navitas Naturals Maca Powder is certified organic, kosher, gluten-free, vegan and raw.

Root of Strength & Balance

Spanish conquistadors recorded in their journals that when they arrived at the puna of Junin in Peru, the babies were well-fed and adults were tall, attributing these characteristics to the diet of maca. The Quechua Indians in the central highlands of Peru continue to consider maca a highly nutritious food with a range of physical benefits and they include it as a regular staple in their diet. Navitas Naturals Maca Powder is loaded with nutritious vitamins, minerals, amino acids and plant sterols, including vitamins B1, B2, B, C, D, E, iron, potassium, copper, magnesium, selenium, phosphorous and calcium. It's a fiber-rich food and a good source of plant protein (about ten percent). Maca root is also a source of fatty acids, and it contains four unique alkaloids (Macaina 1, 2, 3 and 4).

Balancing Adaptogen

Peruvian folklores tell of maca being used in the Tahuantinsuyo Empire by warriors to increase their strength and endurance. The maca root has potent adaptogenic properties helping each body differently based on individual needs. Maca is most often regarded as a powerful stamina booster, libido enhancer, hormone regulator and exhaustion buster. Unique alkaloids found in maca, called Macainas, have been shown to nourish and support the endocrine system, which regulates many of the body's important functions. Maca also provides an abundance of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and sterols that can support general health and immune function.

Maca is a healthy food, not a miracle drug. Health claims herein have not been reviewed by the FDA. Navitas Naturals products are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease.

Incan Superfood

In the mountainous regions where maca comes from, it is a regular staple in the diet and is often eaten boiled and sliced, similar to potato chips. A popular preparation of maca is ‘watia’, a traditional method of cooking with a hole dug underground and filled with layers of maca and hot coals to roast the roots. Other preparations include use as a gruel with milk, and cooked with potatoes, apples, oats, quinoa or fava beans. The roots are also toasted and ground to prepare a maca coffee-like beverage, and fermented cooked and mashed to make a mild homemade beer. Some Peruvians prefer the boiled roots with water, milk, honey and cinnamon. Today, it is possible to find a wide range of products infused with maca, including whiskey, wine, ice cream and cosmetics.

Navitas Naturals Maca Powder has a pungent and sweet nutty taste with hints of butterscotch flavor. It can be mixed easily into smoothies, shakes and juices for a flavorful and healthy boost, and it can also be added to desserts and baked goods. Add some to your favorite pancake batter to create an energizing breakfast.