Scientific name
Lepidium meyenii
Family
Cruciferae
Origin
Peruvian Andes, cultivated in the Andean area for food purposes at an altitude between 3700 and 4000 meters.
Synonyms
MacaParts Used
Drug given by the tubers
Chemical constituents
- Essential amino acids (isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, tryptophan, valine, threonine, phenylalanine);
- Minerals (iron, manganese, zinc, calcium, phosphorus);
- Alkaloids;
- Proteins;
- Triterpene and steroid saponins;
- Glucosinolates.
The main interest for this root is represented by the presence of amino acids, including arginine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, leucine, valine, glycine, alanine, phenylalanine etc. It is also rich in minerals: potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus , copper, zinc, manganese, iron. Particular interest has aroused the presence of two polyunsaturated fatty acids, maene and macamide, probably responsible for the aphrodisiac effect.
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