What it is
Regulatory status: food or dietary supplement
Mechanism evidence: hypothesis
At a glance
What it is, why people use it, the evidence, and what to know before trying it.
Why people use it
- Sexual desire or function
- Energy and mood
Evidence at a glance
Small, heterogeneous trials provide limited evidence for sexual-function claims; there is not enough evidence to treat maca as a proven hormone or performance intervention.
Confidence: weak
Safety & interactions
Known side effects, interactions and use limits from reviewed sources.
Short trials generally report mild adverse effects, but pregnancy, long-term use, endocrine-sensitive conditions, and product contamination remain insufficiently studied.
Forms and variants
This review does not automatically apply to:
- unidentified multi-ingredient libido blends
Seen in protocols
Public protocols that include Maca root extract. Open one to see the full context and source.