Maca
Lepidium meyenii
• Improves libido and sperm quality
• Promotes better mental clarity
• Improves resistance to exertion
THE 3 TYPES OF MACA
There are three main types of maca, each with its own specific properties:
- Yellow maca : the most versatile, it supports general tone and fertility.
- Red maca : renowned for its benefits on the prostate and bone density.
- Black maca : valued for its effects on cognition and male fertility.
They all come from the same plant and share a base of common benefits , but each emphasizes certain specific properties.
BENEFITS OF MACA
Consuming maca will allow you to enjoy these benefits
Maca is known as a natural energizing plant. It helps you regain mental and physical energy, but in a gentle and natural way, unlike coffee.
Use it to regain dynamism in your training or work periods.
Maca is often used by athletes to support endurance, improve resistance to exertion, and promote recovery after training.
If you are going through a period of intensive training, it can be of great help.
If you are looking for better concentration and/or to boost your memory, maca promotes better mental clarity and helps you stay focused longer.
Whether it's for your studies, your work or your personal projects, it will nurture your cognitive abilities and allow you to be more efficient.
If you're experiencing a decrease in libido or want to support your fertility, maca can help. Traditionally used in the Andes, it helps improve libido and sperm quality in men.
An effective plant for times of low energy.
As an adaptogenic plant, maca helps your body adapt to periods of stress and regain its balance more quickly.
It allows you to better manage daily pressure, maintain your energy and preserve your inner calm, even during busy periods.
Maca is considered a superfood . It provides you with plant-based protein, fiber, and important minerals such as iron, calcium, and zinc.
An effective plant to supplement your diet and avoid deficiencies.
A LITTLE HISTORY
Maca: the secret to fertility at high altitudes
According to ancestral traditions, maca is renowned for its aphrodisiac properties .
The first Spanish settlers noticed that in the Andean highlands, human and livestock reproduction rates were lower than those observed in Spain.
The natives then advised incorporating maca into the animals' diet, and positive effects on reproduction were quickly observed.
FORMS AND PRACTICAL USES
It is very rare to find maca in its natural root form, particularly in Europe.
You will therefore most often find it in powder form (dried root) or in capsules , produced in Peru.
Maca powder is useful for daily intake and blends easily into yogurts, shakes, or even pastries.
Be aware that its taste is quite strong and may be surprising: test it in small quantities at first.
Capsules are the easiest way to benefit from the effects of maca without having to find a suitable mixture as with the powder.
Generally quite concentrated , they are ideal if you want to do a course to boost your physical, mental or sexual performance.
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
A selection of quality products chosen to optimize your health
Organic Maca Powder - Cibo Crudo
Organic Maca Powder Mix - Energy Feelings
Organic Yellow Maca Powder - Sevenhills
Organic Yellow Maca Powder - NaturaleBio
Organic Yellow Maca Powder - Detox Organica
Organic Red Maca Powder - Carefood
Organic Black Maca Powder - Energy Feelings
Organic Black Maca Powder - Bamboo Story
Organic Yellow Maca Capsules - NaturaleBio
Organic Yellow Maca Capsules - Nutri & Co
Organic Yellow Maca Capsules - BioNutra
Organic Yellow Maca Capsules - Amoseeds
USAGE INSTRUCTIONS
Some tips to maximize the effects of maca
General dosage
The doses used in most studies are between 1.5g and 3g per day.
That said, you can go up to 5g if needed.
Simply put, one teaspoon (~5 g) per day is sufficient in most cases.
For capsules, we use the same recommendations as for powder: 1500mg to 3000mg per day .
However, it is less necessary to increase the doses for concentrated extracts.
Treatment duration
Most studies focus on treatments lasting 4 to 12 weeks.
In most cases, a course of treatment lasting 4 to 8 weeks should be sufficient to observe changes.
However, if your goal is to improve your fertility, a 12-week course at more than 2,000 mg per day seems to give the best results.
It is also advisable to take a break of 1 to 3 weeks between treatments, to avoid habituation or possible side effects, and to preserve effectiveness over time.
Recipes using Maca
- Chocolate-maca smoothie : terrasana.fr
- Energy ball of nut-maca-sesame : bioplanet.be
- Chia and maca seed pudding : ilesauxepices.com
Precautions for Use
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Dosage :
Maca is generally well-tolerated in its common forms, but in high doses, it can cause digestive issues such as bloating, nausea, or intestinal cramps. It is advisable to start with small doses (1 to 1.5 g/day) and gradually increase the amount if needed, while respecting the recommended dosages.
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Hormonal effect :
Maca acts indirectly on hormonal balance (hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis). Excessive or prolonged consumption can disrupt certain sensitive hormonal profiles, particularly in individuals with endocrine disorders. A 4- to 12-week course followed by a break is recommended.
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Drug interactions :
- Hormonal treatments : maca may potentiate or interfere with hormone-based treatments (thyroid, contraceptive, menopausal).
- Antihypertensives : although rare, a slight hypotensive effect has been observed in some people.
- Antidepressants / anxiolytics : its effects on energy and mood may interact with certain psychotropic drugs.
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People at risk :
- People with thyroid disorders : maca contains natural goitrogens, substances that can affect thyroid function in case of iodine deficiency.
- People with a hormonally sensitive background (endometriosis, PCOS, hormone-dependent cancer): maca is contraindicated without medical advice.
- Adolescents : due to its potential hormonal effects, caution is advised before the age of 16.
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Pregnant or breastfeeding woman :
As a precaution, maca is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to a lack of sufficient studies on its safety in these contexts. Medical advice is essential before taking it.
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Consult a healthcare professional :
If you wish to avoid any adverse effects, consult a healthcare professional before using this plant in any form.
SIMILAR PLANTS
Discover other plants offering similar benefits
- Stimule l'attention et la réactivité
- Favorise un meilleur confort digestif
- Favorise la combustion des graisses
- Soulage les inconforts digestifs
- Apaise blessures et maux de tête
- Éveille les sens et clarifie l'esprit
- Slows down sugar absorption
- Improves endurance and performance
- Helps lower cholesterol
- Helps manage stress and anxiety
- Improves physical performance
- Supports libido and testosterone
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Clinical studies have shown real effects on libido, male fertility and endurance.
Although not all the benefits have been proven on a large scale, traditional user feedback and modern data converge on several concrete effects, particularly on energy and hormonal balance .
See the benefits of maca
Maca has an earthy, slightly caramelized taste. Some like it, others less so.
You can easily incorporate it into smoothies, cocoa or yogurt to mask its taste without losing its benefits.
See recipes using maca
Maca does not contain hormones, but acts indirectly on the hormonal axis.
When used correctly and in the right dosage, it tends to restore balance rather than disrupt it. A well-conducted (and temporary) course of treatment is generally well tolerated.
Some effects (energy, libido) may appear after a few days . Others (fertility, hormones) require 4 to 12 weeks . Consistency matters more than quantity.
Usage tips
They all come from the same plant, but yellow maca is versatile, red maca is known for its benefits to the prostate and bones, and black maca for memory and male vitality. They share the same basic properties with specific nuances.
Learn more
You can take it in powder form (in smoothies, drinks, yogurts) or in capsules . The dose varies between 1500 and 3000 mg/day depending on the goal.
A course of treatment lasting several weeks is recommended for lasting effects.
Usage tips