ROOT · MATERIA №08
Maca
Lepidium meyenii
The high-altitude root that supports stamina and libido.
- Family
- root
- Origin
- Peruvian Andes
- Format
- Gelatinized root powder or capsule
- Best taken
- Morning
Maca grows above 4,000 metres in the Peruvian Andes, where few other crops survive. It has been cultivated for at least two thousand years for its dense, peppery, cruciferous root.
The root is dried and either powdered raw or gelatinized — a gentle cooking step that breaks down starch and improves digestibility.
How it works in the body
Maca does not contain plant hormones; rather, its bioactive macamides and macaenes appear to support the endocrine system's own signalling. The result for many users is improved energy and libido without stimulation.
What you can expect
Stamina and libido
Traditionally used to support sexual vitality in men and women.
Good for: libido · energy · hormones
Hormonal steadiness
Supports the endocrine system without acting as a hormone itself.
Good for: hormones
04 — PROTOCOL
1.5–3 g of gelatinized maca daily, ideally in the morning. Allow four to six weeks for the felt effect.
05 — SOURCING
Choose gelatinized maca for digestibility. Black, red and yellow maca have slightly different traditional uses — many high-quality formulations blend all three.
06 — CAUTION
Generally well tolerated. People with hormone-sensitive conditions should consult a clinician.
What the studies say
Maca's most replicated finding is on subjective sexual function — particularly libido — independent of testosterone. Fertility and mood data are smaller and more variable.
Honest caveatOriginal studies are mostly small. The Cochrane-style review noted the trials are limited in size and methodological quality.
- 01SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Maca (L. meyenii) for improving sexual function: a systematic review
Shin B-C, Lee MS, Yang EJ, Lim H-S, Ernst E · BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine · 2010
“The reviewed RCTs suggest that maca improves sexual function, with effects observed in healthy adults and in those with sexual dysfunction.”
Plain EnglishPooled RCTs show maca improves sexual function in both healthy and dysfunction populations — though trials are small.
- 02PEER-REVIEWED REVIEW
Medicinal effects of Peruvian maca (Lepidium meyenii): a review
Peres NSL, et al. · Food & Function (RSC) · 2020
“Maca demonstrates beneficial effects on sexual function, energy and mood, with a favourable safety profile across the reviewed clinical and pre-clinical literature.”
Plain EnglishModern review extends the signal beyond libido to energy and mood, with no major safety concerns.
All citations link to PubMed, PubMed Central or the original publisher. We do not reproduce full study text. References last verified by SACRAHAUS editorial.
08 — PRODUCTS
Products with Maca
08 — PAIRS WELL WITH
Build the stack
SUPPORTS
What Maca can help with
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Honest answers
- Is maca a hormone?
- No. It does not contain plant hormones; it appears to support the body's own endocrine signalling.
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