Maca

Buying maca: the root tuber from the Andes

Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a plant from the high Andes mountains, whose root tuber has been used for centuries as a food crop and in traditional herbal medicine. Maca belongs to the same plant family as cabbage and radish. For supplements, the dried root is processed into powder or a concentrated extract. In our range, you will find maca as capsules, as a standardized extract (for example 10:1) and in combinations, in different dosages.

What is maca?

Maca is the common name for Lepidium meyenii, a tuberous plant that grows at high altitudes in the Peruvian Andes under harsh climatic conditions. The edible root tuber is traditionally used as food in the Andes and is rich in carbohydrates and fiber. For supplements, the root is dried and ground into powder, or processed into a concentrated extract. We describe maca here factually as a traditional root crop, without attaching any promises of efficacy to it: no official health claims have been approved for maca. The label states how much maca a product provides per serving.

How do you use maca?

Maca is a traditional root crop from the Andes that has been used there as food for centuries; that is the factual background. It is important to know that no official health claims have been approved for maca as a food supplement. We therefore cannot and may not promise what maca "does" or what it is "good for"; the interest in it stems mainly from its traditional use. As for use: maca powder has a distinctive, somewhat malty taste and can be stirred into water, juice, yogurt, oatmeal or a smoothie. Capsules and extracts are flavor-neutral and convenient if you prefer to avoid the taste of powder. Stick to the dosage on the packaging; for personal advice you can consult a doctor or therapist.

Where does maca come from?

Maca originally comes from the high mountains of Peru, where the plant is grown at altitudes above 3,500 meters. The harsh growing conditions (large temperature differences, strong sun and poor soil) are characteristic of maca. After harvest, the tubers are dried, which traditionally happens outdoors. For supplements, the dried root is ground into powder or concentrated into an extract. The origin (often Peru) and the color of the maca used are usually stated on the product page.

Yellow, red and black maca

Maca occurs in different natural colors, which correspond to different varieties of the tuber. The best known are yellow, red and black maca. Yellow maca is the most common and widely available variety. Red and black maca are less common. The colors refer to natural varieties of the same plant; some products use one color, others a mix. Which one you choose is mainly a matter of preference and availability. The label states which maca it is.

What forms of maca are there?

Maca is available as a supplement in different forms. Maca powder is the root in ground form and can be stirred into water, juice, yogurt or a smoothie; it has a distinctive, somewhat malty taste. Capsules with maca powder or maca extract offer a fixed dosage and are flavor-neutral in use. Concentrated extracts (for example 10:1) provide a higher concentration per capsule. In addition, you will find maca in combination products, for example together with L-arginine or in a mix with other plant powders. When comparing, it is useful to pay attention to the amount of maca per serving and whether it is powder or a concentrated extract.

How much maca per day?

No official recommended daily amount has been established for maca. The dosage varies per product and per form (powder, capsules or extract) and is stated on the packaging, expressed in milligrams or grams per serving. With a concentrated extract (such as 10:1), the required amount is lower than with powder. Stick to the directions for use of the specific supplement and do not exceed the recommended dosage without advice. When using medications, during pregnancy or breastfeeding or in case of doubt, it is wise to consult a doctor or therapist beforehand.

Buying maca: what to look for?

When choosing a maca supplement, there are a few points practically to pay attention to. Look at the amount of maca per serving and whether it is powder or a concentrated extract (for example 10:1); with an extract you need less for the same concentration. Determine if you are looking for a certain color of maca (yellow, red or black) and whether you want a single product or a combination. Pay attention to the origin (often Peru), the purity and the price per daily serving. Maca falls under herbs and plants; for related products also view our collection Herbs & Plants.