Overview

What is maca?

What are maca’s main benefits?

What are maca’s main drawbacks?

How does maca work?

Dosage information

The standard dose for maca is 1,500-3,000 mg.

Maca can be supplemented by eating maca root or through a maca extract. Extracts should be water or ethyl acetate-based.

Maca should be taken daily, alongside food.

Examine Database: Maca

Show Conditions

Health Condition/Goal	Health Outcome	Evidence
Menopause	18 Outcomes	4 Studies
Infertility	9 Outcomes	3 Studies
Female Sexual Dysfunction	8 Outcomes	2 Studies
Male Sexual Dysfunction	6 Outcomes	2 Studies
Metabolic Health	13 Outcomes	2 Studies
Sexual Health	8 Outcomes	2 Studies
Depression	1 Outcome	1 Study
Antidepressant-Induced Sexual Dysfunction	1 Outcome	1 Study
Chronic Mountain Sickness	8 Outcomes	1 Study
Cycling Performance	3 Outcomes	1 Study
Erectile Dysfunction	6 Outcomes	1 Study
Mood Improvement	6 Outcomes	1 Study
Sexual Dysfunction	2 Outcomes	1 Study

Menopause

18 Outcomes

4 Studies

Infertility

9 Outcomes

3 Studies

Female Sexual Dysfunction

8 Outcomes

2 Studies

Male Sexual Dysfunction

6 Outcomes

2 Studies

Metabolic Health

13 Outcomes

2 Studies

Sexual Health

8 Outcomes

2 Studies

Depression

1 Outcome

1 Study

Antidepressant-Induced Sexual Dysfunction

1 Outcome

1 Study

Chronic Mountain Sickness

8 Outcomes

1 Study

Cycling Performance

3 Outcomes

1 Study

Erectile Dysfunction

6 Outcomes

1 Study

Mood Improvement

6 Outcomes

1 Study

Sexual Dysfunction

2 Outcomes

1 Study

Menopause

Infertility

Female Sexual Dysfunction

Male Sexual Dysfunction

Metabolic Health

Sexual Health

Depression

Antidepressant-Induced Sexual Dysfunction

Chronic Mountain Sickness

Research FeedRead all studies

Can maca improve symptoms of age-related hypogonadism in men?

In this randomized controlled trial, supplementation with maca for 12 weeks improved some subjective symptoms of age-related hypogonadism in eugonadal men aged >40 years.

Maca for improving sperm quality

Reviewing the efficacy and safety of supplements for erectile dysfunction

Maca improves measures of sperm quality

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between gelatinized maca and maca powder?

What potentially bioactive ingredients does maca have?

Does maca have any drug interactions?

Is maca safe for people with a history of breast cancer?

What are other names for Maca?

Update History

New FAQ addded
major

Research written by

Antonis Damianou

Edited by

Conni Covington

Reviewed by

Katie Jantz

FAQ and database update
major

Research written by

Marina Shkayeva

Edited by

Natalka Roshak

Reviewed by

Nick Milazzo

Research Breakdown

References

Examine Database References

Progesterone - Meissner HO, Mscisz A, Reich-Bilinska H, Mrozikiewicz P, Bobkiewicz-Kozlowska T, Kedzia B, Lowicka A, Barchia IHormone-Balancing Effect of Pre-Gelatinized Organic Maca (Lepidium peruvianum Chacon): (III) Clinical responses of early-postmenopausal women to Maca in double blind, randomized, Placebo-controlled, crossover configuration, outpatient studyInt J Biomed Sci.(2006 Dec)
Progesterone - Meissner HO, Mscisz A, Reich-Bilinska H, Kapczynski W, Mrozikiewicz P, Bobkiewicz-Kozlowska T, Kedzia B, Lowicka A, Barchia IHormone-Balancing Effect of Pre-Gelatinized Organic Maca (Lepidium peruvianum Chacon): (II) Physiological and Symptomatic Responses of Early-Postmenopausal Women to Standardized doses of Maca in Double Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Multi-Centre Clinical StudyInt J Biomed Sci.(2006 Dec)
Progesterone - Tsuyoshi Takewaka, Kiyoshi HaraClinical Effect of Oral Administration of Maca (Lepidium meyenii) Extract on Japanese Peri-Menopausal Women Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled StudyInt J Biomed Sci.()
Progesterone - Meissner HO, Kapczynski W, Mscisz A, Lutomski JUse of gelatinized maca (lepidium peruvianum) in early postmenopausal womenInt J Biomed Sci.(2005 Jun)
Chronic Mountain Sickness Symptoms - Gonzales-Arimborgo C, Yupanqui I, Montero E, Alarcón-Yaquetto DE, Zevallos-Concha A, Caballero L, Gasco M, Zhao J, Khan IA, Gonzales GFAcceptability, 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 StudyPharmaceuticals (Basel).(2016 Aug 18)
Estrogen - Brooks NA, Wilcox G, Walker KZ, Ashton JF, Cox MB, Stojanovska LBeneficial effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on psychological symptoms and measures of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women are not related to estrogen or androgen contentMenopause.(2008 Nov-Dec)
Testosterone - Gonzales GF, Córdova A, Vega K, Chung A, Villena A, Góñez C, Castillo SEffect of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy menAndrologia.(2002 Dec)
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone - Gonzales GF, Córdova A, Vega K, Chung A, Villena A, Góñez CEffect of Lepidium meyenii (Maca), a root with aphrodisiac and fertility-enhancing properties, on serum reproductive hormone levels in adult healthy menJ Endocrinol.(2003 Jan)
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone - Melnikovova I, Fait T, Kolarova M, Fernandez EC, Milella LEffect of Lepidium meyenii Walp. on Semen Parameters and Serum Hormone Levels in Healthy Adult Men: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Pilot StudyEvid Based Complement Alternat Med.(2015)
Sperm Count - Lee HW, Lee MS, Qu F, Lee JW, Kim EMaca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) on semen quality parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Front Pharmacol.(2022)
Libido - Stone M, Ibarra A, Roller M, Zangara A, Stevenson EA pilot investigation into the effect of maca supplementation on physical activity and sexual desire in sportsmenJ Ethnopharmacol.(2009 Dec 10)
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone - Zenico T, Cicero AF, Valmorri L, Mercuriali M, Bercovich ESubjective effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) extract on well-being and sexual performances in patients with mild erectile dysfunction: a randomised, double-blind clinical trialAndrologia.(2009 Apr)
Sexual Function - Dording CM, Schettler PJ, Dalton ED, Parkin SR, Walker RS, Fehling KB, Fava M, Mischoulon DA double-blind placebo-controlled trial of maca root as treatment for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction in womenEvid Based Complement Alternat Med.(2015)
Sexual Function - Dording CM, Fisher L, Papakostas G, Farabaugh A, Sonawalla S, Fava M, Mischoulon DA double-blind, randomized, pilot dose-finding study of maca root (L. meyenii) for the management of SSRI-induced sexual dysfunctionCNS Neurosci Ther.(2008 Fall)

Maca

Overview

What is maca?

What are maca’s main benefits?

What are maca’s main drawbacks?

How does maca work?

Dosage informationMedical disclaimer

Examine Database: Maca

Research FeedRead all studies

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between gelatinized maca and maca powder?

What potentially bioactive ingredients does maca have?

Does maca have any drug interactions?

Is maca safe for people with a history of breast cancer?

What are other names for Maca?

Update History

New FAQ adddedmajor

FAQ and database updatemajor

Research Breakdown

References

Examine Database References

Examine Database References

Examine Database: Maca

Research FeedRead all studies

Dosage information

New FAQ addded
major

FAQ and database update
major