Maca Root
Herb ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Peruvian root vegetable used for energy, libido, and hormonal balance.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.
This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Maca Root is a herb most often used for energy, libido, hormonal balance. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as moderate. A typical adult dose is 1,500-3,000 mg daily, commonly taken as gelatinized maca powder (easier to digest). This profile indexes 21 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating moderate. Most-documented uses: energy, libido, hormonal balance. 21 sources indexed (2002–2024), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Macamides and macaenes modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary axis without directly containing hormones. Supports estrogen balance and enhances mitochondrial function.
Dosing & protocol.
What it actually costs.
Real-world pricing across three quality tiers. Assumes Gelatinized Maca Powder.
Assumes 1,500-3,000 mg/day. Vendor basis: iHerb, Vitacost, Amazon marketplace, and specialty maca powders; gelatinized organic powder costs more. Updated 2026-05-28.
The same dose, as food.
How much you'd eat to match a supplemental dose.
Maca is itself a food root in traditional diets, but extracts may be more concentrated.
Full safety detail.
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
7- 1Effects of Ginseng on Cognitive Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisPMIDZeng M, Zhang K, Yang J, Zhang Y, You P, Yan L, Weng Y · Phytotherapy Research · 2024
Ginseng supplementation significantly improved cognitive function including reaction time, attention, and memory across healthy adults and clinical populations in pooled analysis.
- 2The Effects of Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp) on Cellular Oxidative Stress: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisSource linkedPMIDHuerta Ojeda A, Rodriguez Rojas J, Cuevas Guinez J et al. · Antioxidants (Basel) · 2024
- 3Effects of Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) on Physical Performance in Animals and Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisSource linkedPMIDVarious authors · Nutrients · 2024
- 4Ginseng and Ginseng Herbal Formulas for Symptomatic Management of Fatigue: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisPMIDLi X, Yang M, Zhang YL et al. · Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine · 2023
Ginseng and ginseng-containing herbal formulas significantly reduced fatigue symptoms in both healthy individuals and patients with chronic conditions, including cancer-related fatigue.
- 5Dietary Supplements for Erectile Dysfunction: Analysis of Marketed Products, Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Rational UsePMIDPetre GC, Francini-Pesenti F, Vitagliano A et al. · Nutrients · 2023
Among dietary supplements evaluated for erectile dysfunction, ginseng (Panax ginseng) showed the most consistent evidence of efficacy, significantly improving International Index of Erectile Function scores.
- 6Maca (Lepidium meyenii) for improving sexual function: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.PMIDShin BC, Lee MS, Yang EJ et al. · Complementary Therapies in Medicine · 2023
Meta-analysis of RCTs found maca supplementation significantly improved sexual dysfunction and sexual desire in adult men compared to placebo.
- 7Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) on semen quality parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysisSource linkedPMIDLee HW, Lee MS, Qu F et al. · Frontiers in Pharmacology · 2022
Randomized controlled trials
8- 8Efficacy and Safety of Maca (Lepidium meyenii) in Patients with Symptoms of Late-Onset Hypogonadism: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical TrialPMIDShin D, Jeon SH, Piao J et al. · The world journal of men's health · 2023
Shin D, Jeon SH, Piao J et al.. Efficacy and Safety of Maca (Lepidium meyenii) in Patients with Symptoms of Late-Onset Hypogonadism: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. The world journal of men's health. 2023
- 9Effects of Black Maca supplement on isokinetics muscular performance of elite women's handball players: placebo-controlled, crossover studyPMIDKang S, Ahn BO, Park MH et al. · Food & nutrition research · 2023
Kang S, Ahn BO, Park MH et al.. Effects of Black Maca supplement on isokinetics muscular performance of elite women's handball players: placebo-controlled, crossover study. Food & nutrition research. 2023
- 10Acceptability, 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 StudyPMIDGonzales-Arimborgo C, Yupanqui I, Montero E et al. · Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) · 2016
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, Switzerland). 2016
- 11Effect of Lepidium meyenii Walp. on Semen Parameters and Serum Hormone Levels in Healthy Adult Men: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Pilot StudyPMIDMelnikovova I, Fait T, Kolarova M et al. · Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM · 2015
Melnikovova I, Fait T, Kolarova M et al.. Effect of Lepidium meyenii Walp. on Semen Parameters and Serum Hormone Levels in Healthy Adult Men: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. 2015
- 12Subjective effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) extract on well-being and sexual performances in patients with mild erectile dysfunction: a randomised, double-blind clinical trialPMIDZenico T et al. · Andrologia · 2009
Patients taking maca experienced a more significant increase in IIEF-5 score compared to placebo, with improvements in general and sexual well-being
- 13Beneficial effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on psychological symptoms and measures of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women are not related to estrogen or androgen contentPMIDBrooks NA et al. · Menopause · 2008
Maca (3.5 g/d) reduced psychological symptoms including anxiety and depression and lowered measures of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women independent of estrogenic or androgenic activity
- 14Hormone-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 StudyPMIDMeissner HO, Mscisz A, Reich-Bilinska H et al. · International journal of biomedical science : IJBS · 2006
Meissner HO, Mscisz A, Reich-Bilinska H et al.. Hormone-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 Study. International journal of biomedical science : IJBS. 2006
- 15Effect of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy menPMIDGonzales GF et al. · Andrologia · 2002
Maca improved sexual desire at 8 weeks independent of serum testosterone and estradiol levels
Reviews & position papers
3- 16Exploring the chemical and pharmacological variability of Lepidium meyenii: a comprehensive review of the effects of macaPMIDda Silva Leitao Peres N et al. · J Ethnopharmacol · 2024
Maca is generally safe with rare adverse effects; low toxicity and good human tolerance confirmed by preclinical studies
- 17Effect of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on mental and physical fatigue: A systematic review.PMIDGonzales GF, Gonzales-Castañeda C · Frontiers in Nutrition · 2024
Systematic review found evidence that maca consumption may reduce fatigue and improve energy levels, mood, and physical performance.
- 18Maca (L. meyenii) for improving sexual function: a systematic reviewPMIDShin BC et al. · BMC Complement Altern Med · 2010
Four RCTs met inclusion criteria; limited evidence suggests maca improves sexual desire after at least 6 weeks of treatment
Mechanistic & preclinical
1- 19Lepidium meyenii (Maca) does not exert direct androgenic activitiesPMIDBogani P et al. · J Ethnopharmacol · 2006
Maca extracts are not able to regulate glucocorticoid response element activation, confirming it lacks direct hormonal activity
Reference material
2- 20Wasilewicz A, Grienke U. Maca (Lepidium meyenii) as a Functional Food and Dietary Supplement: A Review on Analytical Studies. Foods (Basel, Switzerland). 2026Source linkedPMID
- 21Chen R, Wei J, Gao Y. A review of the study of active components and their pharmacology value in Lepidium meyenii (Maca). Phytotherapy research : PTR. 2021Source linkedPMID
Common questions.
Quick answers about Maca Root, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Maca Root?
Peruvian root vegetable used for energy, libido, and hormonal balance.
What is Maca Root used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Maca Root include: Energy; Libido; Hormonal balance; Fertility support. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as moderate.
What is a typical dose of Maca Root?
A typical adult dose of Maca Root is 1,500-3,000 mg daily. The commonly recommended form is Gelatinized maca powder (easier to digest). These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Maca Root?
Reported side effects include gi upset, insomnia if taken late, jitteriness. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Maca Root?
NutriStack rates this as Moderate, meaning several aligned RCTs or one large RCT plus supporting reviews. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
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