Maca

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.

Quick Answer

What it is

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.

Key findings

  • Grade B: Estrogen (Infertility)
  • Grade C: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (Menopause)
  • Grade C: Anxiety Symptoms (Female Sexual Dysfunction)

Safety

No specific caution or interaction language was detected in the current summary/outcome notes.

ℹ️ Quick Facts: Maca

Quick Facts: Maca

  • Best Evidence:Grade B
  • Conditions Studied:13
  • Research Outcomes:89
  • Grade B Findings:1
  • Key Effect:Infertility
Outcomes by grade:
A0
B1
C6
D5
13 conditions Β· 89 outcomes

Detailed Outcomes

Grade:
Effect:
Size:
Sort:
|
B
Estrogen
Small Increase
small↑Worsens
?
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone
↑Improves
?
Luteinizing Hormone
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Sperm Count
↑Improves
?
Testosterone
↑Improves
?
Prolactin
1 study
↑Improves
?
Serum T4
1 study
↑Improves
?
Sperm Quality
1 study
↑Improves
?
Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone
1 study
↑Improves
C
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
Mixed effect
1 study
D
Blood Pressure
No effect
2 studies
none
?
Estrogen
↑Worsens
?
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone
↑Improves
?
Luteinizing Hormone
4 studies
↑Improves
?
Menopausal Symptoms
4 studies
↓Improves
?
Progesterone
↑Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Weight
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Bone Mineral Density
1 study
↑Improves
?
Cortisol
1 study
↓Improves
?
Heart Rate
1 study
↓Improves
?
Serum T3
1 study
↑Improves
?
Serum T4
1 study
↑Improves
?
Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone
1 study
↑Improves
C
Anxiety Symptoms
Small Improvement
1 study
small↓Improves
?
Sexual Function
↑Improves
?
Depression Symptoms
1 study
↓Improves
?
Estrogen
↑Worsens
?
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone
↑Improves
?
Luteinizing Hormone
1 study
↑Improves
?
Menopausal Symptoms
1 study
↓Improves
?
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin
1 study
↑Improves
C
Estrogen
Small Increase
small↑Worsens
?
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone
↑Improves
?
Libido
↑Improves
?
Luteinizing Hormone
1 study
↑Improves
?
Prolactin
1 study
↑Improves
?
Testosterone
↑Improves
C
Anxiety Symptoms
Small Improvement
1 study
small↓Improves
?
Blood glucose
1 study
↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
1 study
↓Improves
?
Depression Symptoms
1 study
↓Improves
?
Estrogen
↑Worsens
?
Fatigue Symptoms
1 study
↓Improves
?
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone
↑Improves
?
Hemoglobin
1 study
↑Improves
?
Luteinizing Hormone
1 study
↑Improves
?
Menopausal Symptoms
1 study
↓Improves
?
Quality of Life
1 study
↑Improves
?
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin
1 study
↑Improves
?
Sexual Function
↑Improves
C
Erections
Small Increase
1 study
small↑Improves
?
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone
↑Improves
?
Luteinizing Hormone
1 study
↑Improves
?
Prolactin
1 study
↑Improves
?
Subjective Well-Being
1 study
↑Improves
?
Testosterone
↑Improves
C
Libido
Moderate Increase
moderate↑Improves
?
Sexual Function
↑Improves
D
Blood glucose
No effect
1 study
none
?
Libido
↑Improves
?
Estrogen
↑Worsens
?
Fatigue Symptoms
1 study
↓Improves
?
Hemoglobin
1 study
↑Improves
?
Quality of Life
1 study
↑Improves
?
Subjective Well-Being
1 study
↑Improves
?
Testosterone
↑Improves
D
Blood glucose
No effect
1 study
none
?
Blood Pressure
1 study
↓Improves
?
Chronic Mountain Sickness Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Fatigue Symptoms
1 study
↓Improves
?
Hemoglobin
1 study
↑Improves
?
Libido
↑Improves
?
Quality of Life
1 study
↑Improves
?
Subjective Well-Being
1 study
↑Improves
D
Anaerobic Capacity
No effect
1 study
none
?
Heart Rate
1 study
↓Improves
?
Rating of Perceived Exertion
1 study
↑Improves
D
Blood glucose
No effect
1 study
none
?
Fatigue Symptoms
1 study
↓Improves
?
Hemoglobin
1 study
↑Improves
?
Libido
↑Improves
?
Quality of Life
1 study
↑Improves
?
Subjective Well-Being
1 study
↑Improves
?
Sexual Function
↑Improves
?
Sexual Function
↑Improves

Research Citations (13)

Hormone-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 study
PMID: 23675006
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
PMID: 23675005
Use of gelatinized maca (lepidium peruvianum) in early postmenopausal women
PMID: 23674952
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
PMID: 27548190
Beneficial effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on psychological symptoms and measures of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women are not related to estrogen or androgen content
PMID: 18784609
Effect of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men
PMID: 12472620
Effect of Lepidium meyenii (Maca), a root with aphrodisiac and fertility-enhancing properties, on serum reproductive hormone levels in adult healthy men
PMID: 12525260
Effect of Lepidium meyenii Walp. on Semen Parameters and Serum Hormone Levels in Healthy Adult Men: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study
PMID: 26421049
Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) on semen quality parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
PMID: 36110519
A pilot investigation into the effect of maca supplementation on physical activity and sexual desire in sportsmen
PMID: 19781622

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