What is Maca?Maca is a tuber that grows in the Andean plateaus of Peru, at an
altitude as high as 14,500 feet. It is the only food plant that is able to
survive this high elevation, full of the climactic challenges presented by an
oxygen poor environment, freezing wind and intensive sunlight. It has been used
by Peruvians, as far back as the Incas, for food as well as for fertility rights
and strengthening of warriors prior to battle and endurance sports. Since the
1960?s, however, Peruvian scientists have through research come to a greater
understanding of the science behind its medicinal and nutritional potency. This
has led to Maca?s growing, world wide acceptance as a supplemental and
alternative therapy for many conditions normally treated with pharmaceutical
drugs. How does Maca work?Maca is adaptogenic, therefore it responds to the
needs of the body into which it is absorbed according to the age and gender of
the individual. It stimulates the glands of the pituitary-hypothalamus axis to
produce needed hormones, thus its effect is not merely over reproductive
hormones but also over those secreted by the pancreas, adrenals and thyroid
glands as well. This is very important because very few natural products have
been proven to have a positive effect on hypothyroidism. Nutritional
SupplementMaca root is a nutritional powerhouse containing high amounts of amino
acids, beneficial complex carbohydrates, vitamins B1, B2, B12, C and E, numerous
minerals including calcium, iron, phosporus, zinc and magnesium. It also has
significant amounts of fatty acids such as linoleic, palmitic and oleic acids.
The presence of tannins, saponins and four alkaloids may also explain Maca?s
ability to regulate hormones.Hormonal RegulationThe sterols in Maca rather than
adding hormones to the system help the body to produce its own natural hormones
according to its needs. Maca has been shown to alleviate Premenstrual Syndrome,
perimenopause, menopause, and erectile dysfunction in men. It also increases
libido in both sexes, raises sperm count for men and enhances the ability to
conceive for women. It has even been used on young adults with ADD and ADHD
with positive results.EnergizerMaca?s positive effect on the adrenals accounts
for its good reputation as an energizer. Most athletic users of Maca report an
increase in both power and endurance during cardiovascular and resistance
exercise. It is known to reverse lethargy and studies show many patients
suffering from chronic fatigue have found some relief from their condition with
sustained daily use of the plant.Anti-DepressantWhat is most surprising about
Maca are its properties as an anti-depressant. Even though, working in the
holistic environment, I had heard about its potential in that area, I was
stunned when I experienced its power first hand. I had already been taking Maca
daily for energy and hormonal regulation. Upon doing a Whole Person Healing (a
3-day comprehensive holistic and medical work up) with Dr. Helen Ross at the
Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center, she prescribed that I double the dosage that I
was currently taking. Within 24 hours of making that change my depression was
gone, and I felt more emotionally equipped to handle the daily challenges of my
demanding job. It was a miraculous transformation that was immediately noticed
by myself and my co-workers. The same resilience that maca demonstrates in the
wild, is the same hardiness that it brings to the human organism; creating a
?can-do? feeling out of what would have been a ?can?t cope? circumstance. This
is part of the magical chemical signature of the plant. The reason for its
ability to regulate depression is not yet fully known, but scientists and
holistic physicians postulate that it could be related to both its hormone
balancing power and nutritional potency.Sources of MacaMaca is most accessible
for western users in either powdered or capsule form. The best source of Maca
comes from plants that have either been wild harvested or traditionally
cultivated (meaning organically and without pesticides) between the altitudes of
13 000 and 15 000 feet above sea level. Plants grown at lower altitudes have
been found to be nutritionally and medicinally inferior in lab analyses. It is
crucial to make sure that the powder is derived from sun or air dried plants and
not from those baked in an oven. Heat has been shown to significantly alter the
nutritional content of Maca. Also avoid irradiated sources. The germ count at
the high altitude at which the tuber grows is so low that such sterilization is
neither warranted nor beneficial. Maca powder can easily be purchased from the
internet or at a health food store. Online, I would recommend that you purchase
maca from www.rawfood.com or www.treeoflife.nu .Because Maca is actually a food
plant, and not an herb or isolated nutritional supplement, so negative effects
of taking the powder have not been reported. This aspect of Maca also makes it
possible to take Maca alone, (without food), if preferred.It is easy to see why
Maca was and is revered by ancient and modern Peruvians alike. Perhaps it is
just a matter of time before the rest of the world fully succumbs to the magic
of maca.Fadzo Chanakira is a freelance writer that divides her time between
Arizona and California, where she both lives and works. In addition to having
written holistic articles for print and the internet on a variety of topics, she
has a holistic business specializing in nutritional supplementation and truly
natural beauty products called Alchemy of Beauty. Her undergraduate studies
were in Kinesiology at Occidental College in Los Angeles, California. Fadzo
also authors a free bi-monthly e-newsletter called The Alchemical Beauty News.
She is currently working towards her Masters in Spiritual and Live Food
Nutrition with the College of Living Arts in Patagonia, AZ. She can be reached
through her website, http://www.alchemyofbeauty.com or through the Ezine author
contact email. - This guide is for planting River Birch Trees in Zip Code 18834
River Birch Trees are fairly easy to plant because they are fairly rugged and
durable. Yet to plant or transplant them you do need to follow some basic
guidelines. Two of the best types or River Birch trees are Dura Heat and
Heritage River Birches. We have been growing River Birch Trees for a number of
years and offer these suggestions for planting. All people handling Dura Heat
and Heritage River Birches seedlings and small trees need to help with the life
support of your plants. Seedlings are like fish out of water and need care which
is often overlooked between the time the seedlings are lifted and transplanted.
Improper care means higher mortality. Do not try and reinvent the wheel. You
must protect seedling from moisture and temperature extremes, as well as
physical damage. Seedlings are living and should be handled carefully. For a
higher survival rate, treat trees carefully and plant them immediately. I like
to have a backup plan for planting if the weather turns bad. I will sometimes
switch from lining out the seedlings to potting them up if I realize that the
soil conditions will not be right for an extended Length of time. If planting
must be delayed a few days, keep the plants in a cold, protected place with air
circulation between the trees. Keep the Dura Heat and Heritage River Birches
trees out of the rain and wind. To check if the trees need water, feel the media
at the roots. If it isn't damp, water the trees and allow the excess water to
drain. In cool, damp weather, the biggest threat to these trees is from mold.
Try to keep out of soil seedlings moist by either restricting water loss with a
water vapor barrier or by wetting the roots at regular intervals. While handling
or planting try to reduce temperature and air movement around the seedlings.
Windy days can dry out seedlings so consider waiting for calmer weather. Once
your soil conditions are correct OUR FREE USE PLANTERS will make planting a snap
so its will be worth waiting for good planting conditions. HOW TO PLANT Ideal
planting days are cool and cloudy with little or no wind. If possible, avoid
planting on warm, windy days. The soil should be moist not wet. Care in planting
is more important than speed. Make sure the roots are never allowed to become
dry. Bare root seedlings should be carried in a waterproof bag or bucket with
plenty of moist material packed around the roots to keep them damp. Ideally,
bare root boxes should be kept refrigerated or packed in ice or snow. Don't
freeze the trees. Competition from weeds, grass, brush or other trees is very
detrimental to survival and growth of seedlings. Choose areas free from this
competition or clear at least a three-foot square bare spot before planting.
Seedlings should not be planted under the crown of existing trees, or closer
than 6 feet to existing brush. Avoid areas near walnut trees. Brush aside loose
organic material such as leaves, grass, etc., from the planting spot to expose
mineral soil. If organic matter gets into the planting hole, it can decompose
and leave air spaces. Roots will dry out when they grow into these spaces. Open
up the hole, making sure the hole is deep enough for the roots to be fully
extended. If roots are curled or bunched up, the tree will not be able to take
up water correctly, will often weaken and die, or may blow down later due to
poor root structure. Take a tree out of your planting bag or bucket only after
a hole is ready. When exposed, the fine roots can dry out in as little as 30
seconds. Seedling shoots and roots lose water to air, roots require more
protecting.Unlike leaves ,they do not have stomata (close-able openings on the
surface of the leaves) or any waxy coatings to help reduce water loss. If the
Dura Heat and Heritage River Birches roots feel dry they are probably dead. Now
I know you are thinking,"I will place them in a bucket of water and store them
there until planting". This will not work. Submerge plants for no longer that a
couple of minutes. Placing them in water cuts them off from oxygen. Remember to
remove the container before planting a containerized tree. A helpful hint to all
those new gardeners just starting is to remember to always plant green side up.
Hold the seedling in place in the hole, making sure the roots are straight,
fully extended and that the tree is neither too shallow or too deep in the hole.
Fill hole, allowing soil to fall in around the roots. Tamp with hands or with
your heel. Don't crush the roots by jumping up and down around the seedling like
there is a snake curled up around the seedling. It is delicate. Fill with more
soil, if necessary, and tamp. Tamping is important. If soil is not firmly packed
around the roots, there will be air pockets that can dry out the roots, and the
seedlings may be weakly anchored. It is far easier to plant the tree strait up
then have the tree leaning and have to adjust the tree later. (Addition of
fertilizer and plant vitamins at the time of planting is not generally
necessary.) Take your time in planting. Proper spacing will help you grow a more
valuable crop. I have tried to get more production from a limited area by over
planting and then thinning, but I always have had trouble in harvesting ....
digging is slower and poor quality usually results for a portion of the crop.
Avoid these tree planting errors: Tangled roots Planting too shallow Planting
too deep Air pockets Turned up roots (this is called J rooting) Planting
trees that are not tolerant of wet soils in poorly drained areas Planting over
rocks, septic tanks and leach fields, on sand mounds CARE OF TREES FOLLOWING
PLANTING Check periodically to be sure that brush, grass and other vegetation is
kept under control by mowing, mulching, spraying or a combination of these
treatments. Always obtain advice from a licensed pest control adviser before
using chemicals. You ag extension agency may offer courses in application of
chemicals. Monitoring the appearance of your trees will help you to detect signs
of insects, diseases or other problems. Appearances also help sell your product.
Look for foliage turning yellow, new foliage drooping or other signs of poor
health. It is easier to take successful corrective action if the problem is
detected early. Over watering is a common problem in irrigated plantations. You
probably won't need to water more frequently than every 7-10 days. Give your
trees a thorough, deep soak and then let the soil dry out before the next
watering. This encourages the roots to grow down in search of water. Frequent,
shallow watering encourages root growth near the surface and the trees are more
dependent on irrigation and are less windfirm. Animals can be a major cause of
damage to young trees. Porcupines, gophers, mice, rabbits, deer and cattle are
the most frequent source of damage. In many states you may have to call your
game commission and get their recommendations on legal methods to protect your
crop. In our state, you can get help from the Pa. Game Commission to kill deer
that are a threat to your seedlings or obtain a free fence to keep deer away
from your seedlings. Over the years we have lost more trees to mice than any
other animal. Put rat baits out on a regular basis. Over the years we have lost
more seedlings and plants to mice than any other culprit including deer and
rabbit ts combined. You an see more articles about the care of trees plants and
nursery stock at our web site: http://www.seedlingsrus.com and
http://www.highlandhillfarm.com About the Author Bill has been raising and
selling trees for 25 years near Doylestown Pa. and has two web sites
http://www.seedlingsrus.com and http://www.zone5trees.com
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