Though it is believed that MACA was cultivated as early as 4000B.C. It was most likely fully domesticated between 1200 and 100 B.C. by the Pumpush. Fierce warrior tribes that migrated up from the jungles. It continued to cultivated throughout the Andean highlands and was brought to greater perfection by the Yaro, who arrived between 1100 and 1470 A.D. They cultivated immense fields of MACA, highly desirable for its “fabulous fertility and aphrodisiacal properties”. After the Inca conquest of these tribes, they sent great quantities to Cusco as tribute to their new rulers.
In their turn, the conquered Incas and their minios paid tribute to the Spanish in MACA and other goods. In 1549, it is listed in the records as the only good sent as tribute to the colonial government, a whopping 15000-18000 pounds. Even though the Spanish officially despised native foods, they may have dipped into MACA bag for two reasons:-
1. The high altitudes of the Andes made the Spaniards nearly infertile.
2. MACA had a long indigenous tradition of increasing fertility and fortitude.
Within the traditional Andean medicine concept of cold and hot, MACA is a hot plant. The properties attributed to this singular plant include increase in fertility in all mammals, aphrodisiac, revitalizer and regulator, anti-arthritic, helpful in respiratory maladies. No wonder traditional consumers of MACA have a saying : MACA is life, MACA is health.
Knowledge of this letter roots properties, passed word of mouth through generations since time immemorial tell of its use to increase fertility in humans and livestock alike; its ability to relieve frigidity in women and impotence in men; its adaptogenic virtues of revitalizers of internal organs and regulator of menstruation, and reliever of symptoms of menopause. It is also recommended for malnutrition, convalescence, memory loss, mental debility, and as a general tonic. It is anti-arthritic properties as a hot plant. It is use in treating respiratory ailments. Some herbalists recommended not using MACA for people with hypertension. However, this counter indication has not been tested scientifically.
