Maca Root

Peruvian adaptogenic root supporting energy, stamina, hormonal balance, and sexual health with traditional use spanning centuries

Scientific nameLepidium meyenii FormulaVarious macamides and glucosinolates Molecular weightVariable natural compounds g/mol CASVarious natural compounds

70 absorption score

9 safety / 10

30 USD per month

5 documented interactions

Check it against something

Evidence level C

Maca Root with:

75 out of 100

Works better together Compatible. Timing differs, so follow each supplement's own window.

Check it against your whole stack →

What it does

mechanism and evidence for each claim

Energy and stamina enhancement

Natural energy boost and improved physical stamina without caffeine

Adaptogenic compounds support cellular energy production and stress response Evidence B-grade 1-4 weeks

Hormonal balance support

Supports healthy hormonal balance in both men and women

Adaptogenic effects on hypothalamic-pituitary axis and hormone regulation Evidence B-grade 4-12 weeks

Sexual health and libido support

Traditional support for sexual health and libido enhancement

Hormone-balancing effects and improved circulation support sexual function Evidence B-grade 6-12 weeks

Stress adaptation and resilience

Adaptogenic support for stress management and resilience

Modulates stress hormone response and supports adrenal function Evidence C-grade 2-8 weeks

Athletic performance and endurance

Supports athletic performance and physical endurance

Enhanced energy metabolism and improved oxygen utilization Evidence C-grade 4-8 weeks

Others take these for the same thing

Same goal, different mechanism — check any of them against this one

Ashwagandha Stress management & energy 300-600mg A 75% Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) Energy & nerve support 250-1000 mcg A 70% Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) Heart health & cellular energy 100-200mg A 10% Phosphorus Bone health & energy metabolism 700-1250mg A 80% Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) Energy & skin health (no flush) 100-1000 mg A 88% Berberine for Advanced Glucose Control and Metabolic Support Blood sugar control & metabolic support 1500mg daily (500mg x3) A 60%

Every pair we checked

12 combinations scored by the engine

Maca Root + Caffeine No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Maca Root + Creatine Monohydrate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Maca Root + Vitamin D3 No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Maca Root + Calcium Carbonate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Maca Root + Whey Protein No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Maca Root + Lactase No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Maca Root + Bovine Collagen No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Maca Root + DHA No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Maca Root + Turmeric No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Maca Root + Rhodiola Rosea Enhanced adaptogenic and energy support Works better together 75

Maca Root + Ashwagandha Synergistic stress adaptation and hormone balance Works better together 75

Maca Root + Panax Ginseng Enhanced energy and performance support Works better together 75

Dosage

With breakfast

Daily1500-3000mg

Energy support1500-3000mg daily

Hormonal balance1500-3000mg daily

Sexual health1500-3000mg daily

Athletic performance2000-4000mg daily

Before you take it

VeganYes

When to expect it

First Effects1-4 weeks for energy and stamina improvements

Peak Benefits6-12 weeks for sustained hormonal and sexual health support

Deficiency DevelopmentNot applicable - herbal supplement

Toxicity OnsetVery rare, excellent safety profile

How to measure it

$100-200

MarkerHormone levels if monitoring hormonal effects

OptimalBalanced hormone levels, improved energy markers

Deficient belowNot applicable for herbal supplement

FrequencyEvery 6-12 months if monitoring hormonal effects

What people actually reported to the FDA

CAERS, 7 reports naming it as the suspect

Most reported effects

Vomiting 2

Breast cancer 1

Hypersensitivity 1

Pharyngeal oedema 1

Throat tightness 1

Named as the suspect 7 reports of 14 that mention it at all

Serious outcome 77% hospitalisation, emergency room or worse

Other Serious or Important Medical Event5

Visited a Health Care Provider2

Life Threatening1

Reports are voluntary and unverified — they record what someone experienced while taking something, not what the compound caused. Counts skew towards products people take a lot of, and a serious outcome is more likely to be reported than a mild one, so these are not rates. How we filter them →

What actually reaches you

The label counts the carrier, your body does not

Absorption High 70 of 100 · absorbs well relative to other forms

Delivered daily 1575 mg

Cost per 100 mg delivered $0.06 comparative — uses the absorption score, not a measured percentage

Works better with

3 documented

Rhodiola Rosea

Enhanced adaptogenic and energy support

Both provide complementary adaptogenic and energy-enhancing effects · level C

Ashwagandha

Synergistic stress adaptation and hormone balance

Complementary adaptogenic effects on stress and hormonal health · level C

Ginseng

Enhanced energy and performance support

Both provide energy enhancement and adaptogenic benefits · level C

What not to take with Maca Root

2 documented

Hormone Blocking Medications

May interfere with hormone-blocking therapies

Hormone-balancing effects may oppose hormone suppression · moderate significance

Sedative Medications

May counteract sedative effects due to energizing properties

Energizing effects may oppose sedation · mild significance

Medication interactions

Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining

hormone-replacement-therapy Moderate

May affect hormone levels and interact with HRT

What to do: Monitor hormone levels and effects

blood-pressure-medications Minor

May affect blood pressure

What to do: Monitor blood pressure

diabetes-medications Minor

May affect blood sugar levels

What to do: Monitor blood glucose levels

Available forms

bioavailability compared

Maca Root Powder (Gelatinized) 70

Maca Root Powder (Gelatinized): Natural energy boost, Hormonal balance, Excellent safety, Traditional use

Food sources

before you supplement

Maca root powder (raw) Whole root nutrients · 60

Maca root powder (gelatinized) Pre-cooked for better digestion · 70

Maca root capsules Standardized powder · 65

Not found in common foods Specific Peruvian root preparation required · N/A

Too little

deficiency signs

Not applicable (herbal supplement, not essential nutrient):
General symptoms addressed by maca root:
Chronic low energy and fatigue
Hormonal imbalances and transitions
Poor sexual health and low libido
Poor stress adaptation and resilience
Reduced athletic performance and endurance

Too much

toxicity signs

Extremely safe with minimal side effects:
Mild digestive upset in sensitive individuals
Potential hormonal effects
Mild stimulating effects in sensitive individuals
Rare allergic reactions

Who benefits most

low-energy-fatigue

Natural energy enhancement without caffeine or stimulants

1500-3000mg daily

hormonal-imbalance-menopause

Hormonal balance support for menopause and hormonal transitions

1500-3000mg daily

sexual-health-libido

Traditional support for sexual health and libido enhancement

1500-3000mg daily

athletic-performance-endurance

Natural performance enhancement for athletes and active individuals

2000-4000mg daily

stress-adaptation-resilience

Adaptogenic support for stress management and resilience

1500-2500mg daily

Where to buy it

compare forms first

Look for Maca Root at 1500-3000mg per serving. The form that matters here is Maca Root Powder (Gelatinized).

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How it works

Adaptogenic compounds support cellular energy production and mitochondrial function
Modulates hypothalamic-pituitary axis supporting hormone regulation
Supports adrenal function and stress hormone balance
Improves circulation and blood flow supporting sexual function
Enhances oxygen utilization and energy metabolism
Provides essential amino acids and nutrients supporting overall vitality

Key findings

what the evidence supports

Good evidence for energy and stamina enhancement
Promising research on hormonal balance and sexual health
Excellent safety profile with traditional use validation
More research needed on optimal dosing and mechanisms

Sources: NIH Examine.com · data reviewed 2026-08-02

Compiled by Denis, who maintains this database and holds no medical qualification — every figure here is sourced or derived, never asserted. How we calculate it →

Common questions

What are the benefits of Maca Root?

Documented effects: Energy and stamina enhancement; Hormonal balance support; Sexual health and libido support; Stress adaptation and resilience. Natural energy boost and improved physical stamina without caffeine

How much Maca Root should you take per day?

The common daily range is 1500-3000mg. By goal — energy support: 1500-3000mg daily; hormonal balance: 1500-3000mg daily; sexual health: 1500-3000mg daily; athletic performance: 2000-4000mg daily.

When is the best time to take Maca Root?

With breakfast. First effects are typically reported within 1-4 weeks for energy and stamina improvements.

What are the side effects of Maca Root?

At excessive doses: Extremely safe with minimal side effects:, Mild digestive upset in sensitive individuals, Potential hormonal effects, Mild stimulating effects in sensitive individuals, Rare allergic reactions. Safety rating at normal doses is 9 out of 10.

What should you not take with Maca Root?

Separate it from Hormone Blocking Medications, Sedative Medications by two to four hours. May interfere with hormone-blocking therapies

Does Maca Root interact with medications?

Documented interactions with hormone-replacement-therapy, blood-pressure-medications, diabetes-medications. Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining.

How do you know if you need Maca Root?

The marker is Hormone levels if monitoring hormonal effects, optimal range Balanced hormone levels, improved energy markers. Common deficiency signs: Not applicable (herbal supplement, not essential nutrient):, General symptoms addressed by maca root:, Chronic low energy and fatigue, Hormonal imbalances and transitions.

Taken for

62 Energy & Metabolism

Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin) · Ashwagandha · Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)