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Peruvian crop shows great promise in promoting overall health, vitality, and fertility, and merits further

investigation and promotion of its benefits.

MASHWA

In contrast to maca, mashwa

is another Andean crop with

somewhat reversed properties.

Mashwa is a hardy plant that grows

in the Central Andes and thrives in

depleted soils without the need for

fertilizers or insecticides, and

produces a high yield. The plant

produces conical shaped tubers that

have an unpleasant taste when eaten

raw. This flavor fades after boiling them. The tubers are high in carbohydrates and antioxidants and are an

important source of energy for rural Andean communities. The plant grows best from 3500 to 3800 meters, and is

able to withstand the extreme temperatures and winds, as well as the high solar radiation that are common in its

environment.

The use of mashwa has been recorded as far back as during the Inca empire, when mashua was given to

soldiers because of its alleged anti-aphrodisiac properties. Recent studies have confirmed this belief and have

shown that male rats fed a diet of mashwa experienced a drop in testosterone of 45% (Clark). Further research has

shown that the drop in testosterone is due to the presence of isothiocyanates which also play a role in the pest

resistance of the plant. Due to its natural testosterone reducing qualities, it has been proposed that mashwa could

be beneficial to men with enlarged prostates or prostate cancer. Additionally, too much testosterone can cause

women to suffer from a variety of conditions that include acne and polycystic ovary syndrome. Women who

suffer from these conditions are often prescribed anti-androgens that decrease testosterone levels. Further research

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