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Why Adaptogens Like Maca Can Impact Your Hormone Treatment

If your supplement regime includes natural adaptogens like Maca they can make a difference to how your body absorbs hormones such as progesterone and oestrogen.

Adaptogens are plant foods recognised for their rebalancing effect on the body. An adaptogen doesn’t have a specific effect on the body as such. What it does is support the body in healing where the body needs it; an adaptogen goes to the weak areas of the body, and helps strengthen them. In doing so, adaptogens restore homeostasis in the body.

The main adaptogens that we work with are Aloe Vera, Maca, Reishi, Suma, Muira Puama, and Ashwaganda. Some of these you may be familiar with, others not. They come from ancient, well-established systems of medicine such as Chinese herbalism and Indian Ayurvedic medicine. They are all known for their abilities to restore hormonal imbalances, when taken over time.

For instance, you may have heard of Aloe Vera. You may have read that it’s good for the skin, the gut, and the hair. That it’s used to treat arthritis and rheumatism as well as eczema and asthma. That it has been known to give relief to patients with lupus, cancer and AIDS. And you may have wondered how one little plant can have so many uses. That’s because Aloe Vera itself doesn’t have a specific effect on the body. It is going to where the body needs it, and assisting the body in restoring full functionality.

Adaptogens are best taken in small amounts, over long periods of time. Just one teaspoon of Maca powder a day, or half a teaspoon of Ashwaganda powder, can have a great restorative effect and can increase the effect of supplemental hormones in your body. The adaptogens build core strength and are tonifying.

I would recommend starting with small doses such as half-1 tsp and try taking them for at least three months to give the body a chance to rebalance. Because you’re taking such small amounts, they are easy to mix into other foods such as porridge, yoghurt, or smoothies, and you should barely notice the taste!

Maca is perhaps the most famous adaptogen used in relation to hormones, and I would also recommend Ashwaganda and Reishi as being very potent. Maca is known as nature’s Viagra, and a natural alternative to HRT. I meet many, many women who swear by Maca for its strengthening, energising, and rebalancing properties. And unlike many supplements you may be taking, with Maca you really notice the difference. Most people feel the positive effects of Maca in the body straight away.

More women than probably realise it have hormone imbalances, due to pollution and toxicity in the environment, as well as having not corrected issues that may have occurred while being on the Pill, or during pregnancy.  These natural plant foods can be life-changing and are a safe, holistic, and inexpensive way to put your body back on track and restore some of that youthful vigour that may be lost on our journeys as daughters, sisters, mothers and grandmothers!

Further reading:

On Ashgawanda:

https://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2012/08/17/herbal-help-for-stress-anti-aging-and-hot-flushes/

https://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2012/02/06/how-to-spice-up-your-sex-life-and-liberate-your-libido/


Kate Magic is the author of 3 Raw Food recipe books, and Creative Director of Raw Living Ltd
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http://rawliving.eu

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New comments are now closed on this article
Comments 11
Sorted by:  Date | Recommended
AnnA Rushton | 3:50 pm, June 2nd, 2021

As Maca is an adaptogen, it will have an affect on anything that you take including hormones. If you are hormone deficient there is no substitute, the hormones will need to be supplemented and that means either by bioidentical hormones or chemical ones such as HRT. If you require further assistance please email support@wellsprings-health.com for individual help with your symptoms as they will be able to go into more detail than is possible here.

rhianne newlahnd | 2:56 pm, June 1st, 2021

I have low thyroid and have read not to take maca in that case. I want to have something to replace taking bio-idental hormones, what are your feelings about this?

AnnA Rushton | 2:29 am, October 5th, 2018

Dawn the answer is in the article, Maca is an adaptogen and so will affect any hormone treatment.

Dawn Bernardo | 4:47 pm, September 24th, 2018

Can you mix Maca with Bio-identical hormone treatment?

Becky | 9:59 pm, June 27th, 2018

Ok. Thanks for the help.

AnnA Rushton | 2:32 pm, June 26th, 2018

Becky implanted hormones are very different from bioidentical creams so you need to discuss this with your doctor.

Becky | 6:06 pm, June 25th, 2018

I’m not on the Maca, have been reimplanted with estrogen and testosterone pellets and so far I don’t feel the effects of them. I’m waiting to get my labwork back to see where my levels are. Normally I feel a rush of hormones. My chest is still getting.smaller instead of getting bigger like it does when I first get estrogen.

AnnA Rushton | 5:39 pm, June 12th, 2018

Maca will affect everything you take as it is an adaptogen Becky. If you want a true picture of how your hormones are working for you then it may be best to stop it and monitor your symptoms.

Becky | 3:08 pm, June 11th, 2018

I’ve tried maca for 3 weeks and all I have is a gaunter looking face and acne.

I also take progesterone, dhea, thryoid meds, and estrogen/testosterone pellets. Will maca interfere with these being absorbed? Will it block my receptors?

AnnA Rushton | 3:57 pm, June 30th, 2012

Bio Hormone Health are not recommending any products but providing a variety of information for readers. Thank you for your comments which have been passed to Kate Magic, the author.

RR | 1:37 am, June 29th, 2012

So there really isn’t much information here about what these things are that you are recommending. Is this for men/women? Which hormone systems are influenced? What are the actives in these species that contribute these effects? Is that style of dosing the same across the board? What studies have shown these things to work? Nature’s Viagra also seems unlikely, seeing as Viagra is not a hormone based therapy… What are your references? More research is well worth it before any random person is recommended to try this ‘adaptogen’. I think many people are aware the nightshade family has very very toxic members in it, so only one more reason to accurately research things before it is promoted to people already suffering from health imbalances. Please give us some more substance and less sales pitch!

 
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