Traditional Uses of Maca

+ South America

Maca has been domesticated for about the last 2000 years by the Incas, and archaeologists have found primitive cultivars of the plant dating back as far as 1600 B.C [8].

The Andean Indigenous people's live in a region virtually inhospitable to most plants, with hot direct sunlight, high winds, and freezing temperatures all in the same place, not to mention the rocky, nutrient deficient soil. Maca is one of the few edible plants growing in that region, so it has significant value on the cultures living there. Maca is often traded with cultures living at lower elevations for other staple foods like rice, corn, green vegetables, and beans [8].

Peruvians in particular have used Maca for thousands of years both as nutrition and medicine (Taylor L. 2005). The root is eaten here either fresh, or dried, and is often cooked in a similar fashion as sweet potatoes. The dried roots are instead boiled in water or milk to make a porridge, or juice. Alcoholic drinks can be made and are referred to as Maca chica. Jams, puddings, and sodas can be made as well [5].

Maca has been used for centuries by various cultures in the Andes, including spanish conquistadors, as a fertility enhancing agent, in both humans and animals [5].

Today, Maca is still used in Peruvian medical systems to treat anemia, tuberculosis, menstrual disorders, menopause symptoms, stomach cancer, memory loss, reproductive disorders, and as an immunostimulant [8]. Throughout America, The United States, Europe, and Australia, Maca has been growing in popularity for a wide range of illnesses, and as a general health promoting agent through various attributes. Some of these include: fertility enhancement, aphrodisiac effects, sports performance, hormone balancing, increased stamina, male impotence, promoting mental clarity, menstrual irregularities, blood glucose balancing, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

+ Culinary Uses

The taste of Maca can be compared to that of butterscotch, with different varieties producing slightly different tastes and colours, but most producing a slightly tangy, sweet flavour.

Herb Details: Maca

+ Learn More

The hypocotyls (roots) are used nutritionally and medicinally, and resemble turnips in size and shape (in the same family). The root is cultivated in many South American countries, around the Andes mountains, particularly in the Carhuamayo, Junin, and Ondores in the Junin Plateau. The elevation of the mountains is necessary for the quality cultivation of this tuberous root vegetable. Typically, cultivators grow Maca as if it were an annual, even though technically it is a perennial. It takes roughly 7-9 months to produce roots ready for harvest.

Cultivation of this herb has grown substantially in recent years. Less than 50 hectares of land were devoted to the cultivation of this plant back in 1994, just 5 years later it was reported that 1200 hectares of land were in use for Maca production [8]. In fact, the exportation of maca from Peru has increased from 1,415,000 USD in 2001 to USD 6,170,000 USD in 2010 [2].

+ Confusion Around The Species

Although Maca is often listed as Lepidium meyenii most Maca is a different species (L. Peruvianum). This was backed up when a study done investigating the similarities of the two species, found that the Maca cultivated in the Peruvian Andes was indeed L. peruvianum [4].

This same study also confirmed that although many sources will refer to L. Meyenii, and L. peruvianum as synonymous, they are in fact dissimilar. This brings questions as to which species of “Maca” has actually been used in many of the scientific literature simply referring to its common name as “cultivated Peruvian Maca”.

+ Red, Black, and Yellow Maca

13 varieties of maca have been described ranging in color (and thus common name) from white, red, yellow, and black, with yellow being the most frequent [5]. Of the varieties, slight differences in biological properties have been reported.

Black maca has presented the greatest effect on spermatogenesis, and latent learning, though did not have as strong an effect on prostate reduction as compared to other varieties [5]. Black maca has also been reported to have positive effects on sperm motility [2].

Red maca was shown to have the strongest effect on prostate size [5], but little effect on sperm motility [2].

Yellow maca was noted to have a positive effect on sperm counts in rats, as well as improved sperm motility, and a medium effect on prostatic-hyperplasia [2]. All three varieties (yellow, black and red) were noted to have the same effect on depression in mice [5].

Pharmacology & Medical Research

+ Adaptogen

The term "adaptogen" refers to plants or other substances that augment non-specific resistance in the body, and help the body to adapt to various situations. Therefore protecting it from stressful events and factors. [9].

Therefore, it could be argued that maca may fall under the classification of an adaptogenic botanical based on the following effects: supportive effect of the HP axis [4], antioxidant, fertility enhancing effects, and Neuroprotective effects [2].

The effects maca appears to produce on the HP axis, in turn, improves the function of endocrine glands throughout the body, provide a non-specific effect on vitality, and adaptability in the body through various organ systems. These effects can be noted in macas antidiabetic, neuroprotective, antidepressant, anti-stress, fertility enhancing, aphrodisiac, antihypertensive, and menopausal supportive effects. All of these pathologies are corrected by improving the normal functioning of the body, rather than through stimulation of processes in a single direction. The author notes that he has not found evidence of bidirectional action in maca. However, he has noticed the effects are normalizing in almost all aspects of the effects produced. A few exceptions include maca inhibitory effects on angiotensin I-converting enzyme [2], more research is needed in this area to determine how far this inhibition will go.

The very low toxicity noted in maca is another important factor to consider in classifying this substance as an adaptogen.

At this time, the author suggests Lepidium meyenni, and L. peruvianum should be considered and researched further as an adaptogenic botanical.

+ Depression

A study done comparing the effectiveness in three varieties of maca (yellow, red, black), found that all three had a similar effect on depression in mice [5].

+ Hypertension

Maca was shown to significantly inhibit angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ace) in vitro [2]. This enzyme, as well as potassium, which is contained in fairly high amounts, are both relevant in the pathophysiology of hypertension. Thus maca may produce antihypertensive effects.

+ Osteoporosis

Extracts of both red maca, and black maca have both shown protective effects in the bones of ovariectomized rats, while appearing not to affect estrogen levels [2], providing some evidence that maca has anti-osteoporosis effects in postmenopausal mammals.

+ Antioxidant

Black maca has been reported to provide support in memory impairment, through its antioxidant, and Ache inhibitory effects [2].

+ Prostatic Hyperplasia

It has been reported by various studies that red maca has the most significant effect on prostatic-hyperplasia [2, 5], with yellow maca offering intermediate support for the condition.

The constituents to be held responsible for these effects are under debate; however, with some researchers suggesting benzyl glucosinolates, and others suggesting polyphenols [2].

With treatment of red maca on TE-treated rats, effects were reversed, reducing prostate weight and zinc levels, however, no change was observed on seminal vesicle weight which is another organ dependent on androgen [2]. These results offer more indication that macas effects on the sexual organs are not through androgen receptors.

+ Aphrodisiac

N. S. Chauhan et al., (2014) reports that the improved sexual desire in both males and females is not related to changes in the pituitary or gonadal hormones. They note that maca does not activate androgen receptors, and conversely may, in fact, block androgen receptors instead.

This evidence was contradicted by other research investigating macas effects on hormones in relation to menopausal symptoms, these researchers suggested the effects produced were a result of HP axis related activity from the alkaloids contained within maca, which in turn improve the function of the adrenals and thus, androgen production [4].

The conflicting evidence may be a result of the design of the studies.

+ Athletic Performance

Despite various companies, and websites advertising as such, maca does not affect serum testosterone, or intratesticular testosterone [2], or other pituitary, and gonadal hormones. It doesn't appear to function through stimulation of the androgen receptors [6], though this evidence is conflicting, and suggested to affect these receptors as a secondary process from the improvement of the HP axis instead [4], possibly through normalizing effects rather than stimulation.

+ Fertility

The fertility-enhancing effects of maca were reported back in 1961, and since then has been the subject of much research looking closer at these effects. [2, 8].

Taylor L. (2005), warns that many of the research conducted on maca has been funded by two foremost marketers of Maca products in the United States. She also warns of studies conducted that measure libido enhancement, as this is a very subjective measurement, and should not be taken as hard scientific evidence.

Taylor L. (2005) suggests that the fertility, and libido enhancing properties of maca, may simply be a result of Macas high protein, and vital nutrient profile. Dried Maca root contains roughly 10% protein, derived from amino acids, these amino acids are necessary for many cellular functions within the body, including sexual processes (Taylor L. 2005). She refers to the neurotransmitters dopamine, and noradrenaline which both play a major role in sexual arousal, and physical performance during sex. These neurotransmitters require phenylalanine, tyrosine, and histidine, all of which are contained within Maca root.

Arginine is another amino acid with strong connections to fertility, especially in males. There are multiple libido enhancement supplements on the market that contain arginine for this reason (Taylor L. 2005). N. S. Chauhan et al. (2014) reports the improvement of L-arginine-nitric oxide activity from Maca use and relates this to a decrease in ejaculation latency in mice.

Histidine is another amino acid contained in Maca root that plays an important role in sexual function specifically for men. The body uses histidine to produce histamine, which is then used in the corpus cavernosum to produce ejaculation [8]. Maca, therefore, may be useful in treating fertility problems relating to anorgasmia, due to its histidine content.

A study done investigating the effects of various plant medicines on sexual performance and virility, suggests the mechanism of action of L. meyenii on virility, lies in its action on spermatogenesis and decreases in the latent period of erection and ejaculation. This effect was noted to be much more significant in mice with less sexual experience, or mice with ED, and disappeared over prolonged use [6]. This suggests a normalizing, over stimulating effect, which is parallel to the thoughts suggested by Taylor L. (2005) placing responsibility on maca's nutritional profile for its impact on sexual performance and virility.

Gustavo F. Gonzales (2012) reports that maca has been found to increase sperm count in both normal rats, as well as rats with pathological conditions produced from exposure to high altitude, lead acetate, and malathion. He also notes yellow maca, and black maca, had a positive effect on sperm motility, but no effects were noted in this area from red maca.

Both histidine and arginine also offer vasodilation effects within the body [8], which in turn increase blood flow to the sex organs in both males and females.

According to Gustavo F. Gonzales (2012), macaenes and macamides have been reported to have probable responsibility as well with the improved sexual behavior noted with maca. However, more research in this area is needed.

+ Hormones

Macas hormone balancing effects may relate back to its amino acid content as follows; although hormones are very chemically diverse, they are constructed simply from amino acids and cholesterol. If the body is given the building blocks more readily, it is much easier to produce these hormones when they are needed.

It has been reported that maca does not activate androgen receptors [6], however, in ovariectomized rats, treatment with an ethanol extract over the course of 28 weeks was shown to produce support for postmenopausal symptoms related to hormones [7]. This conflicting evidence suggests hormonal effects are likely due to nutritional, or other means, rather than direct stimulation of androgen ergic system, or that the different durations of the two tests may have influenced the difference in results.

Other research, suggests that the hormone balancing effects maca has is through HP axis support, which in turn improves functions of the endocrine glands throughout the body [4].

The author suggests a combination between improvement of the HP axis function through alkaloids present within the plant, as well as an increase in amino acid, and cholesterol content needed to produce various neurotransmitters throughout the body. If this were the case, it would explain maca's adaptogenic effects, thyroid supportive effects, antidepressant effects, stress supportive effects, menopausal supportive effects, antidiabetic effects, and neuroprotective effects.

+ Menopause

A study investigating the effects of Lepidium meyenii on the hormonal levels in ovariectomized rats concluded that "Long-term Maca supply modulates endocrine hormone balance in OVX rats, especially it decreases enhanced FSH levels. It is proposed that maca may become a potential choice for postmenopausal women" [7].

Researchers refer to a previous study done by another group over the span of 6 weeks that noted no change in hormonal levels. They postulate that the longer duration of the experiment (28 weeks) that they conducted may have been responsible for the conflicting results. They determine that the mechanism in which maca is affecting hormone levels in ovariectomized rats is unknown during the time this study was conducted. This action is suggested to be the result of HPA axis support [4].

+ Neuroprotection

Gustavo F. Gonzales (2012) reports that "Black maca seems to improve experimental memory impairment induced by ovariectomy, orchidectomy, scopolamine, and alcohol due in part to by it's antioxidant and Ache inhibitory activities" (Page 4).

Other aspects that may provide neuroprotection may be result from the support maca alkaloids are suggested to have [4].

+ Thyroid Support

Maca alkaloids act upon the hypothalamus-pituitary axis, as this explains why its effects on endocrine glands are not limited to the ovaries or the testes, but instead on adrenals, thyroid, and pancreas as well as all endocrine glands throughout the body [4]. This is the suggested mechanism of action by these researchers for balancing female hormones post menopause (via ovariectomized mice).

If this is the case, the author suggests that improved thyroid health would most likely only be noticed in thyroid deficient people caused by low TSH rather than with a problem from the thyroid function itself. In other words, it appears maca does not "stimulate" the thyroid, but rather improves HP axis function, and thus thyroid function. Maca seems to be more adaptogenic in endocrine function than it is a stimulant for thyroid or metabolic functions.