All Organic: Maca, ashwagandha, ginger, licorice root, cinnamon, dong quai, and astragalus root.

Prepare as a decoction. 3 -4 tsp of tea in 3 cups of water. Simmer covered for 20 mins. Strain. Drink 3 cups a day.

There are several good things in my tonic blend!

Let’s look at the main character, gelatinized Maca.

Maca root is unique because it is both an adaptogen and a superfood. Grown in the Andes mountains, maca is a root vegetable. Maca is rich in protein, fiber, calcium, magnesium, and amino acids such as glycine and arginine.

Maca, in particular, seems to work to prevent the adrenal glands from working until fatigue.  During stressful situations, the hypothalamus and pituitary gland send signals to the adrenals to release cortisol and other hormones to deal with a potential crisis.  While this works very well if you are under attack, it has negative health consequences if the adrenals are constantly engaged.  Maca and other adaptogens seem to prevent this.    Maca root also supports your body to produce hormones when needed and to balance hormone levels when they have been overproduced. Over several months, maca can increase the function of the entire HPA axis (hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal).   Beyond that, Maca is also a nutrient-dense superfood, rich in nutrients, including all amino acids, protein, and minerals. Maca is a root vegetable that is a food and not an herb or supplement.

Reference: Kimberly Riggins, Healthfully. 2017.