What is Peruvian Ginseng?
Posted by The Maca Team on 16th Apr 2024
It’s said that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. While Shakespeare had more romantic notions in mind, it’s not uncommon to find foods and supplements referred to by different names depending on who you’re speaking to. Peruvian maca root, for example, is also known by its scientific name, Lepidium meyenii Walpers. It’s also been referred to in certain health food circles as “Peruvian ginseng,” not an entirely accurate appellation, but one with some sound reasoning behind it.
Maca and Ginseng
So why the comparison between maca root and ginseng? First, let’s take a look at what they have in common. Both maca root and ginseng are considered adaptogens. Adaptogens are natural substances that, when consumed consistently over a period of time, are believed to exert a sort of “balancing” effect on the human body. This can mean anything from regulating hormone levels to improving the way your body reacts to stress, making you less prone to fatigue due to external factors.
In fact, maca and ginseng are two of the most powerful adaptogens out there, so it’s no surprise that the two would often be compared. Ginseng is arguably better known, and easier to find - as a matter of fact, you could probably find some at your local grocery store. But despite its ready accessibility, ginseng is in no way superior to Peruvian maca root. There are a number of reasons why you might consider choosing maca over ginseng!
Maca vs. Ginseng
What are some good points of comparison for maca and ginseng? Let’s look at some of their most commonly associated benefits. First, consider ginseng’s praise for boosting immunity. Did you know that maca is also great for improving your immune system? In addition to alleviating stress and anxiety, which can weaken your body’s response to illness, maca root is also high in nutrients that can help your body stave off infections.
Traditional Chinese medicine stresses the importance of spleen health in maintaining your body’s health as a whole. And recent research has found that maca extract reduced the loss of body mass and immune organ atrophy weakening the spleen, and therefore the other organs that regulate your immune system.
What about increasing your energy? Ginseng has been linked with increased energy levels. Maca root, however, has a long and storied history of being used for a boost in energy as well as concentration and focus. Harvested in the Peruvian Andes for centuries, maca root was a valuable resource to the Inca people and remains in popular use in Peru today. And research shows that while ginseng really can give you a little extra pep in your step with prolonged use, maca root can do so much more quickly, with participants in studies exhibiting positive results from a maca regimen in just two weeks as opposed to a reported eight weeks for users of ginseng.
That seems to be the theme in comparing maca root to ginseng - while they produce many of the same results with regular usage, ranging from reducing inflammation to combating erectile dysfunction, studies suggest that maca root does so more quickly. But don’t just take our word for it - here’s what some of our happy customers have to say.
"Every time I incorporate the black maca into my daily regimen I feel my hormones working better which directly affect my energy levels. With all the environmental toxins disrupting our bodies' pursuit to thrive it would be foolish to not use maca, and with my experience in the health food industry The Maca Team is putting out the best quality and most potent macas. I use the black maca and I bought a 1lb bag because it's affordable. Whoever you may be get on this ancient superfood secret and take back your vitality!" - Christian
Why Buy From The Maca Team?
Our family-owned company sources our organic maca exclusively from the Peruvian Andes, where it’s sustainably grown and harvested by a local co-op of farmers. We’ve gone to great lengths to ensure that our customers are getting the highest-quality maca products out there. If you have any questions for us, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us using our web form, or call us toll-free at 888-919-8616.
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