Maca
Maca is a plant from the Peruvian Andes whose underground part is traditionally eaten after heating or drying and milling. It is also sold as powders, capsules and tablets.
Also listed as Organic Black Maca Root Powder, Lepidium meyenii, Maca root, Peruvian Ginseng
What it is studied for
The strongest rated effects first. Bars show the size of the effect, the letter grades the evidence, and each rating lists the studies behind it.
What is maca?
Maca is a plant from the Peruvian Andes whose underground part is traditionally eaten after heating or drying and milling. It is also sold as a supplement, including powders, capsules and tablets. Food use and a concentrated supplement are different exposures. 1 2
What might its plant compounds do?
Maca contains glucosinolates and macamides. Laboratory work has explored effects on hormone signaling and neurotransmitter pathways; animal experiments also suggest effects on fatigue and reproductive function. These are possible explanations to investigate, not established mechanisms of benefit in people. 1 3
Human research has concentrated on sexual desire, sexual function, menopause symptoms and semen measures. Several small studies have encouraging findings, but they ask different questions and use different preparations. 4 5 6
Key studies
The most recent publications linked to Maca's ratings.
Why people take it
SuppCo community snapshot, 2026-09-28. Reasons for use are not evidence that it works.
Questions people ask
Does maca raise testosterone?
The healthy-men trial described here found improved desire without higher testosterone. That result does not support a testosterone-boosting claim. 7
How long did the desire trial take?
Participants used gelatinized maca for 12 weeks; improved desire was reported from eight weeks. The study does not establish that everyone will respond on that schedule. 7
Does maca help with menopause?
A small crossover trial found better psychological and sexual dysfunction scores in 14 postmenopausal women. It is a promising but limited finding, not a general menopause treatment established by that study. 5
Can maca improve male fertility?
The randomized-trial review found mixed semen results and no significant pooled improvement in sperm concentration in infertile men. It did not establish improved pregnancy or live-birth outcomes. 6
Is black maca better for exercise?
The performance review included different preparations and too little human evidence for a pooled human effect. It does not establish black maca as the best choice for performance. 3
Sources
- Maca Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center