Maca
•Last Updated: February 6 2023
Maca refers to two plants belonging to the Brassicaceae family, Lepidium peruvianum and Lepidium meyeni. The plants resemble a turnip and have a history of being used as an aphrodisiac.
Maca is most often used for
Last Updated: February 6 2023
Maca is the common name for Lepidium meyenii (wild growing maca) and Lepidium peruvianum (cultivated maca), which are plants belonging to the Brassicaceae family (the family that also includes broccoli, turnips, and radishes). Although similar, the two plants have distinct differences between them in terms of visual appearance and phytochemical profiles. The roots of the plants can be red, black, pink, or yellow. As a supplement, maca root is usually sold in the form of dried powder and is often mixed into smoothies and other beverages.
A small amount of research suggests maca can increase libido to a notable degree and improve sexual function to a small degree. Maca may also improve the symptoms of menopause, especially those related to mood (such as anxiety and depression), though more research is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn regarding its effectiveness.
Although no significant toxicity has been reported after human consumption of maca, there is very little toxicological or safety information available.
It is currently unclear how maca works. However, its effects do not appear to be mediated by altering levels of hormones usually involved in aphrodisia, such as testosterone, estrogen, and luteinizing hormone.
Note that Maca is also known as:
- Lepidium meyenii
- Maca root
- Peruvian Ginseng
- Lepidium peruvianum
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.
Research FeedRead all studies
1.^Gonzales GFEthnobiology and Ethnopharmacology of Lepidium meyenii (Maca), a Plant from the Peruvian HighlandsEvid Based Complement Alternat Med.(2012)
3.^Valentová K, Ulrichová JSmallanthus sonchifolius and Lepidium meyenii - prospective Andean crops for the prevention of chronic diseasesBiomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub.(2003 Dec)
4.^) Physiological studies and determination of chromosome number in Maca, Lepidium meyenii (Brassicaceae).()
5.^Gonzales GF, Gasco M, Córdova A, Chung A, Rubio J, Villegas LEffect of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on spermatogenesis in male rats acutely exposed to high altitude (4340 m)J Endocrinol.(2004 Jan)
6.^Ranilla LG, Kwon YI, Apostolidis E, Shetty KPhenolic compounds, antioxidant activity and in vitro inhibitory potential against key enzymes relevant for hyperglycemia and hypertension of commonly used medicinal plants, herbs and spices in Latin AmericaBioresour Technol.(2010 Jun)
7.^Tellez MR, Khan IA, Kobaisy M, Schrader KK, Dayan FE, Osbrink WComposition of the essential oil of Lepidium meyenii (Walp)Phytochemistry.(2002 Sep)
8.^Effect of three different cultivars of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on learning and depression in ovariectomized mice.()
9.^Glucosinolate content and myrosinase activity evolution in three maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) ecotypes during preharvest, harvest and postharvest drying.()
10.^Gonzales C, Rubio J, Gasco M, Nieto J, Yucra S, Gonzales GFEffect of short-term and long-term treatments with three ecotypes of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on spermatogenesis in ratsJ Ethnopharmacol.(2006 Feb 20)
11.^Gonzales GF, Miranda S, Nieto J, Fernández G, Yucra S, Rubio J, Yi P, Gasco MRed maca (Lepidium meyenii) reduced prostate size in ratsReprod Biol Endocrinol.(2005 Jan 20)
12.^Muhammad I, Zhao J, Dunbar DC, Khan IAConstituents of Lepidium meyenii 'maca'Phytochemistry.(2002 Jan)
13.^Zheng BL, He K, Kim CH, Rogers L, Shao Y, Huang ZY, Lu Y, Yan SJ, Qien LC, Zheng QYEffect of a lipidic extract from lepidium meyenii on sexual behavior in mice and ratsUrology.(2000 Apr)
14.^Zhao J, Muhammad I, Dunbar DC, Mustafa J, Khan IANew alkamides from maca (Lepidium meyenii)J Agric Food Chem.(2005 Feb 9)
15.^McCollom MM, Villinski JR, McPhail KL, Craker LE, Gafner SAnalysis of macamides in samples of Maca (Lepidium meyenii) by HPLC-UV-MS/MSPhytochem Anal.(2005 Nov-Dec)
17.^Clément C, Diaz Grados DA, Avula B, Khan IA, Mayer AC, Ponce Aguirre DD, Manrique I, Kreuzer MInfluence of colour type and previous cultivation on secondary metabolites in hypocotyls and leaves of maca (Lepidium meyenii Walpers)J Sci Food Agric.(2010 Apr 15)
18.^Gonzales GF, Vasquez V, Rodriguez D, Maldonado C, Mormontoy J, Portella J, Pajuelo M, Villegas L, Gasco MEffect of two different extracts of red maca in male rats with testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasiaAsian J Androl.(2007 Mar)
19.^Gonzales GF, Gonzales-Castañeda CThe Methyltetrahydro-{beta}-Carbolines in Maca (Lepidium meyenii)Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.(2009 Sep)
20.^Piacente S, Carbone V, Plaza A, Zampelli A, Pizza CInvestigation of the tuber constituents of maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.)J Agric Food Chem.(2002 Sep 25)
22.^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)
23.^Cicero AF, Bandieri E, Arletti RLepidium meyenii Walp. improves sexual behaviour in male rats independently from its action on spontaneous locomotor activityJ Ethnopharmacol.(2001 May)
24.^Lentz A, Gravitt K, Carson CC, Marson LAcute and chronic dosing of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on male rat sexual behaviorJ Sex Med.(2007 Mar)
25.^Spector IP, Carey MP, Steinberg LThe sexual desire inventory: development, factor structure, and evidence of reliabilityJ Sex Marital Ther.(1996 Fall)
26.^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)
27.^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)
28.^Labbate LA, Lare SBSexual dysfunction in male psychiatric outpatients: validity of the Massachusetts General Hospital Sexual Functioning QuestionnairePsychother Psychosom.(2001 Jul-Aug)
29.^McGahuey CA, Gelenberg AJ, Laukes CA, Moreno FA, Delgado PL, McKnight KM, Manber RThe Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX): reliability and validityJ Sex Marital Ther.(2000 Jan-Mar)
30.^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)
31.^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)
32.^Rubio J, Dang H, Gong M, Liu X, Chen SL, Gonzales GFAqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of Black Maca (Lepidium meyenii) improve scopolamine-induced memory impairment in miceFood Chem Toxicol.(2007 Oct)
33.^Rubio J, Qiong W, Liu X, Jiang Z, Dang H, Chen SL, Gonzales GFAqueous Extract of Black Maca (Lepidium meyenii) on Memory Impairment Induced by Ovariectomy in MiceEvid Based Complement Alternat Med.(2011)
34.^Herraiz T, Chaparro CAnalysis of monoamine oxidase enzymatic activity by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography and inhibition by beta-carboline alkaloids occurring in foods and plantsJ Chromatogr A.(2006 Jul 7)
35.^Pino-Figueroa A, Nguyen D, Maher TJNeuroprotective effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca)Ann N Y Acad Sci.(2010 Jun)
36.^Rubio J, Yucra S, Gasco M, Gonzales GFDose-response effect of black maca (Lepidium meyenii) in mice with memory impairment induced by ethanolToxicol Mech Methods.(2011 Oct)
37.^Valentová K, Stejskal D, Bartek J, Dvorácková S, Kren V, Ulrichová J, Simánek VMaca (Lepidium meyenii) and yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) in combination with silymarin as food supplements: in vivo safety assessmentFood Chem Toxicol.(2008 Mar)
38.^Vecera R, Orolin J, Skottová N, Kazdová L, Oliyarnik O, Ulrichová J, Simánek VThe influence of maca (Lepidium meyenii) on antioxidant status, lipid and glucose metabolism in ratPlant Foods Hum Nutr.(2007 Jun)
39.^Mehta K, Gala J, Bhasale S, Naik S, Modak M, Thakur H, Deo N, Miller MJComparison of glucosamine sulfate and a polyherbal supplement for the relief of osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized controlled trial {ISRCTN25438351}BMC Complement Altern Med.(2007 Oct 31)
40.^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)
41.^Bogani P, Simonini F, Iriti M, Rossoni M, Faoro F, Poletti A, Visioli FLepidium meyenii (Maca) does not exert direct androgenic activitiesJ Ethnopharmacol.(2006 Apr 6)
42.^Rubio J, Riqueros MI, Gasco M, Yucra S, Miranda S, Gonzales GFLepidium meyenii (Maca) reversed the lead acetate induced -- damage on reproductive function in male ratsFood Chem Toxicol.(2006 Jul)
43.^Gonzales GF, Nieto J, Rubio J, Gasco MEffect of Black maca (Lepidium meyenii) on one spermatogenic cycle in ratsAndrologia.(2006 Oct)
44.^Srikugan L, Sankaralingam A, McGowan BFirst case report of testosterone assay-interference in a female taking maca (Lepidium meyenii)BMJ Case Rep.(2011 Mar 25)
45.^Valentová K, Buckiová D, Kren V, Peknicová J, Ulrichová J, Simánek VThe in vitro biological activity of Lepidium meyenii extractsCell Biol Toxicol.(2006 Mar)
46.^Zhang Y, Yu L, Ao M, Jin WEffect of ethanol extract of Lepidium meyenii Walp. on osteoporosis in ovariectomized ratJ Ethnopharmacol.(2006 Apr 21)
47.^Gonzales C, Cárdenas-Valencia I, Leiva-Revilla J, Anza-Ramirez C, Rubio J, Gonzales GFEffects of different varieties of Maca (Lepidium meyenii) on bone structure in ovariectomized ratsForsch Komplementmed.(2010)
48.^Gasco M, Villegas L, Yucra S, Rubio J, Gonzales GFDose-response effect of Red Maca (Lepidium meyenii) on benign prostatic hyperplasia induced by testosterone enanthatePhytomedicine.(2007 Aug)
49.^Roehrborn CG, Lee M, Meehan A, Waldstreicher J; PLESS Study GroupEffects of finasteride on serum testosterone and body mass index in men with benign prostatic hyperplasiaUrology.(2003 Nov)
50.^Cárdenas-Valencia I, Nieto J, Gasco M, Gonzales C, Rubio J, Portella J, Gonzales GFTropaeolum tuberosum (Mashua) reduces testicular function: effect of different treatment timesAndrologia.(2008 Dec)
51.^Gonzales GF, Gasco M, Malheiros-Pereira A, Gonzales-Castañeda CAntagonistic effect of Lepidium meyenii (red maca) on prostatic hyperplasia in adult miceAndrologia.(2008 Jun)
52.^Gonzales C, Leiva-Revilla J, Rubio J, Gasco M, Gonzales GFEffect of red maca (Lepidium meyenii) on prostate zinc levels in rats with testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasiaAndrologia.(2012 May)
53.^Yucra S, Gasco M, Rubio J, Nieto J, Gonzales GFEffect of different fractions from hydroalcoholic extract of Black Maca (Lepidium meyenii) on testicular function in adult male ratsFertil Steril.(2008 May)
54.^Gasco M, Aguilar J, Gonzales GFEffect of chronic treatment with three varieties of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on reproductive parameters and DNA quantification in adult male ratsAndrologia.(2007 Aug)
55.^Gonzales GF, Rubio J, Chung A, Gasco M, Villegas LEffect of alcoholic extract of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on testicular function in male ratsAsian J Androl.(2003 Dec)
56.^Bustos-Obregon E, Yucra S, Gonzales GFLepidium meyenii (Maca) reduces spermatogenic damage induced by a single dose of malathion in miceAsian J Androl.(2005 Mar)
57.^Gonzales GF, Ruiz A, Gonzales C, Villegas L, Cordova AEffect of Lepidium meyenii (maca) roots on spermatogenesis of male ratsAsian J Androl.(2001 Sep)
58.^Chung F, Rubio J, Gonzales C, Gasco M, Gonzales GFDose-response effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) aqueous extract on testicular function and weight of different organs in adult ratsJ Ethnopharmacol.(2005 Apr 8)
59.^Shin BC, Lee MS, Yang EJ, Lim HS, Ernst EMaca (L. meyenii) for improving sexual function: a systematic reviewBMC Complement Altern Med.(2010 Aug 6)
60.^Ruiz-Luna AC, Salazar S, Aspajo NJ, Rubio J, Gasco M, Gonzales GFLepidium meyenii (Maca) increases litter size in normal adult female miceReprod Biol Endocrinol.(2005 May 3)