Functional Beverage Recipe for Hormone Balance: Maca Horchata

Hormones, they’re a HOT topic of conversation for many of us. You’ve got ’em. I’ve got ’em. But how do we manage them? Is this thing called “hormone balance” always going to elude us? Are we doomed to the looming side-effects of hormonal imbalances no matter what? I’m talking…hair loss, night sweats, belly fat, breast tenderness, PMS and more.

I’m passionate about empowering individuals to understand their bodies and physiology on a deeper level. By doing so, we gain the knowledge and skills necessary to take the best care of ourselves. Hormones may seem complex, but I aim to make the complex chemical web inside infinitely understandable.

Today, I’m excited to share a delicious way to hone in on your hormones, starting with a cup of horchata infused with one of my favorite hormone balancing herbs.

Hormone balance with maca

Maca is a true wonder of nature. This adaptogenic root grows in the Peruvian mountains, 13,000+ feet above sea level, in the Andean plateaus, where no other food can grow. Its remarkable ability to create life in these conditions is what gives it its adaptogenic qualities. When we consume adaptogenic foods and herbs, like maca, we’re better able to adapt to stress, supporting hormone balance and equanimity in our lives.

Maca’s many benefits

In Peru, maca is highly valued for its many health benefits. Maca has a long history of being used to fight depression, help alleviate menopausal symptoms, improve fertility, and enhance overall memory and vitality. 

Maca is known to boost energy, enhance endurance, increase strength, and even revitalize libido. Although it’s not a complete protein, it also contains more than 10% protein, nearly 20 amino acids, 7 of them being essential. Maca is also rich in fiber and essential minerals, such as iron, magnesium, and calcium.

Personally, I rely on maca for the lift and balance it brings to my life. High-quality maca has a unique aroma, reminiscent of a blend of peanut butter and burdock root – earthy and sweet.

Hormone-Happy Maca Horchata

Maca Horchata comes to the rescue for those moments you crave a sweet warm drink when there’s a chill in the air. But to be honest, the beauty of this recipe is that it can be enjoyed both cold and hot, making it perfect for any weather. I’ve opted for a warm cup here, but feel free to serve this over ice or gently heat it in a saucepan to your desired temperature. This is good stuff!

Ingredients

1 green apple, cored and roughly chopped
½ cup raw Brazil nuts
2 cups warm water
2 Tbsp maca root powder
1 Tbsp coconut butter (try Artisana)
1-2 dropperfuls liquid vanilla stevia
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 scoop protein powder (collagen or fermented brown rice or pea protein)
1-1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp sea salt

Preparation

1. Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend on high until you have a smooth and creamy liquid consistency.

2. Strain the mixture through a nut milk bag or a fine mesh strainer into a bowl or large measuring pitcher.

   If using a nut milk bag, “milk” the bag with your hand, as you would an udder, to retrieve all the liquid contents into your bowl or pitcher. If using a strainer, press the pulp* against the mesh to allow all the liquid to drip into your bowl or pitcher.

3. Pour into a mug and sprinkle with extra cinnamon and enjoy!

This recipe makes one large mug or two small mugs of horchata. Don’t waste a drop!

And don’t let that pulp go to waste! Feel free to mix into warm grains or eat as a porridge on its own.

Balancing hormones doesn’t have to be a mystery. With a nourishing functional beverage like Maca Horchata in hand, you can take a warming and delicious step toward supporting your hormonal health.

References

Gonzales GF. Ethnobiology and Ethnopharmacology of Lepidium meyenii (Maca), a Plant from the Peruvian Highlands.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:193496. doi:10.1155/2012/193496

Panossian A, Wikman G. Effects of Adaptogens on the Central Nervous System and the Molecular Mechanisms Associated with Their Stress-Protective Activity.Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2010;3(1):188-224. Published 2010 Jan 19. doi:10.3390/ph3010188

Ai Z, Cheng AF, Yu YT, Yu LJ, Jin W. Antidepressant-like behavioral, anatomical, and biochemical effects of petroleum ether extract from maca (Lepidium meyenii) in mice exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress.J Med Food. 2014;17(5):535-542. doi:10.1089/jmf.2013.2950

Stojanovska L, Law C, Lai B, et al. Maca reduces blood pressure and depression, in a pilot study in postmenopausal women.Climacteric. 2015;18(1):69-78. doi:10.3109/13697137.2014.929649

Gonzales-Arimborgo C, Yupanqui I, Montero E, et al. Acceptability, Safety, and Efficacy of Oral Administration of Extracts of Black or Red Maca (Lepidium meyenii) in Adult Human Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2016;9(3):49. Published 2016 Aug 18. doi:10.3390/ph9030049

By: Andrea Nakayama, FxNA Founder & Functional Medicine Nutritionist

Functional Nutrition Alliance provides the comprehensive online Functional Nutrition training in the Science & Art of the Functional Nutrition practice. Learn to address the roots of your clients’ suffering with client education, diet & lifestyle modifications.