Here in Ninacaca, Peru, where Kilham traveled on a recent visit, maca holds a special place in the culture. In fact, it was once considered so valuable that people used it to pay their taxes to the Spanish Conquistadores. Even today the locals still pray for a successful harvest, and they’re hoping that a relationship with Kilham will reap them a significant bounty—one that can be used to improve their lives.

“My goal is to have more people using safe, effective, proven, healthful herbs, and fewer people using tox, overly expensive, marginally effective, potentially lethal pharmaceutical drugs.” – Chris Kilham, The New York Times