If you venture up the Andes mountains, you’ll find a medicinal herb called maca. Our Toronto functional medicine providers may suggest this herb to help with mood, sperm quality, libido, or menopausal symptoms.
Also called Peruvian ginseng or Lepidium meyenii, maca is praised as an adaptogen. Adaptogens are groups of herbs that can help the body acclimate to stressful situations; when supplemented with, adaptogens can support homeostasis to promote mind-body resilience.
Findings show that maca is bursting with key nutrients, including amino acids, healthy fatty acids, fibre, calcium, and vitamin C. “Besides these essential nutrients, this root contains bioactive compounds responsible for benefits to the human body, which has caused a considerable increase in its consumption in the last 20 years worldwide,” confirms a report from Food and Function.
Whether you want to combat chronic stress or improve fertility, this herb shows promise in fostering men’s and women’s health needs. We highlight introductory facts about this herb, the ways it might promote healthy effects, and how we tailor your clinical experience at the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre.
What is Maca?
- This herb is regularly consumed as a root vegetable and tonic by the Indigenous people of Peru. The hypocotyl can be freshly eaten, or the roots can be boiled and prepared as coffees and juices. Fresh maca is 80 percent water.
- There are several factors at play when measuring the nutritional values of this herb. Nutrient levels of maca root depend on where the plant is grown; how heavy the fruit is; and drying/storage conditions.
- Maca is in the same family as broccoli and kale. Several parts of the plant contain amino acids, including glutamic acid, tyrosine, arginine, cysteine, tryptophan, leucine, histidine, profile, and methionine.
- Additional nutritional properties include: alkaloids, fibre, iron, vitamin B6, iodine, calcium, and vitamin C. The components of this herb may be valuable for fostering detoxification and potentially alleviating fatigue.
Possible Health Benefits
Some functional medicine practitioners may suggest taking maca to support health promotion. Here are some examples of its potential health effects:
Appears to enhance sperm health for reproduction
Male health issues, such as low sperm quality, may be the root cause of 40% of infertility cases, reports a Maturitas journal review. In some studies, maca boosted sperm count and motility when male participants were provided with this herbal supplementation. “Maca contains a group of secondary metabolites such as macamides, macaenes and other lipid fractions that are potentially related to changes in the reproductive tract via modulation in semen quality,” confirms a Phytotherapy Research article.
Maca root may boost libido in women
Low sex drive is a side effect of SSRI antidepressants. But findings demonstrate that maca root may aid in alleviating this dysfunction in postmenopausal women. According to a Menopause article, taking 3.5g per day can lower depression and anxiety, while improving “…measures of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women independent of estrogenic and androgenic activity.”
Might help manage menopausal symptoms
In a study on early-postmenopausal women (49-58 years old), participants took two maca capsules per day for a couple of months. The results led to reductions in night sweats, hot flashes, headaches, poor sleep, stress, and mood swings.
May improve liver detoxification
Maca is a source of antioxidants that can prevent oxidative damage – these antioxidants include polysaccharides, which happen to be hepatoprotective. Thus, maca has the potential to assist with liver function, helping to effectively detoxify toxins out of the body.
Maca’s antioxidant effects may act as a mood enhancer
Low mood can be exacerbated by oxidative damage. Maca’s antioxidant functions may affect you emotionally, as its detoxifying actions can contribute to mood improvements. Also, the herb may potentially impact dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain, so it may be valuable as a mood regulator.
If you’ve always wondered what it’s like to have your therapies tailored, why not give it a shot? New patients are welcome to book sessions at the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre; if you’re interested in adding herbal supplementation to your treatment plan, we can explore this during your initial appointment.
Suggested reading: What is Urban Heat Stress? A Functional Medicine Toronto Info Sheet
Target Your Health Concerns with Herbal Medicine and Functional Medicine Therapies
Functional medicine is a form of health care that emphasizes the root causes of disease symptoms, recognizing the mind-body connection. It fosters a positive relationship between the health practitioner and patient, inviting collaboration between the two parties. Custom tips and plenty of education are offered, inspiring you to take accountability for long-term health needs. Our functional medicine practitioners can guide you with:
- Lifestyle counselling
- Details on how to read the results of your functional lab tests
- How to support your natural healing process with nutrition (i.e. choosing organic food when possible) and additional lifestyle modifications.
The functional medicine model is applied to all of our treatment options, integrating Western medicine with holistic nutrition, naturopathic medicine, IV therapy, DUTCH testing for menopausal symptoms, psychotherapy, and more. When patients have access to several treatment modalities, they can draw from a wide variety of tactics to help relieve discomforts, such as concentration issues, fatigue, seasonal sniffles, skin rashes, and brain fog.
Our botanical supplementation services are also adapted with functional medicine principles, and plant-based medicines can be arranged into teas, capsules, etc. We consider your current health status to avoid plant-drug interactions, combining traditional herbal knowledge with modern expertise in pharmacognosy. For your convenience, our dispensary is available online and inside our clinic. We prioritize quality care, so our herbal remedies are ethically sourced and sustainably cultivated.
How can we target your health concerns with botanical medicine? Take a complementary holistic approach to your needs at the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre – requesting a meeting with our clinicians is easy! Just click here to reach us and we’ll respond shortly.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media.
References
Ai, Zhong, et al. “Antidepressant-Like Behavioral, Anatomical, and Biochemical Effects of Petroleum Ether Extract from Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) in Mice Exposed to Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress.” Journal of Medicinal Food, vol. 17, no. 5, 2014, p. 535, https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2013.2950. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
Alvarado-Corella, Diego, et al. “Exploring the Chemical and Pharmacological Variability of Lepidium Meyenii: A Comprehensive Review of the Effects of Maca.” Frontiers in Pharmacology, vol. 15, 2024, p. 1360422, https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2024.1360422. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
Beharry, Shruti, and Michael Heinrich. “Is the Hype around the Reproductive Health Claims of Maca (Lepidium Meyenii Walp.) Justified?” Journal of Ethnopharmacology, vol. 211, 2018, pp. 126-170, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2017.08.003. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Bower-Cargill, Cherie, et al. “A Systematic Review of the Versatile Effects of the Peruvian Maca Root (Lepidium Meyenii ) on Sexual Dysfunction, Menopausal Symptoms and Related Conditions.” Phytomedicine Plus, vol. 2, no. 4, 2022, p. 100326, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phyplu.2022.100326. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
da Silva Leitão Peres N , Cabrera Parra Bortoluzzi L , Medeiros Marques LL , Formigoni M , Fuchs RHB , Droval AA , Reitz Cardoso FA . Medicinal effects of Peruvian maca (Lepidium meyenii): a review. Food Funct. 2020 Jan 29;11(1):83-92. doi: 10.1039/c9fo02732g. PMID: 31951246.
Brooks NA, Wilcox G, Walker KZ, Ashton JF, Cox MB, Stojanovska L. Beneficial effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on psychological symptoms and measures of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women are not related to estrogen or androgen content. Menopause. 2008 Nov-Dec;15(6):1157-62. doi: 10.1097/gme.0b013e3181732953. PMID: 18784609.
Dording, Christina M., et al. “A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial of Maca Root As Treatment for Antidepressant-Induced Sexual Dysfunction in Women.” Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : ECAM, vol. 2015, 2015, p. 949036, https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/949036. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
Gonzales-Arimborgo C, Yupanqui I, Montero E, Alarcón-Yaquetto DE, Zevallos-Concha A, Caballero L, Gasco M, Zhao J, Khan IA, Gonzales GF. Acceptability, Safety, and Efficacy of Oral Administration of Extracts of Black or Red Maca (Lepidium meyenii) in Adult Human Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2016 Aug 18;9(3):49. doi: 10.3390/ph9030049. PMID: 27548190; PMCID: PMC5039502.
Lee, Myeong S., et al. “The Use of Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) to Improve Semen Quality: A Systematic Review.” Maturitas, vol. 92, 2016, pp. 64-69, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2016.07.013. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2012-. Maca. [Updated 2019 Apr 10]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548552/
Melnikovova, Ingrid, et al. “Evaluation of the Effect of Lepidium Meyenii Walpers in Infertile Patients: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial.” Phytotherapy Research, vol. 35, no. 11, 2021, pp. 6359-6368, https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7287. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
Meissner, H O., et al. “Hormone-Balancing Effect of Pre-Gelatinized Organic Maca (Lepidium Peruvianum Chacon): (III) Clinical Responses of Early-postmenopausal Women to Maca in Double Blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Crossover Configuration, Outpatient Study.” International Journal of Biomedical Science : IJBS, vol. 2, no. 4, 2006, p. 375, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3614644/. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
Minich DM, Ross K, Frame J, Fahoum M, Warner W, Meissner HO. Not All Maca Is Created Equal: A Review of Colors, Nutrition, Phytochemicals, and Clinical Uses. Nutrients. 2024 Feb 14;16(4):530. doi: 10.3390/nu16040530. PMID: 38398854; PMCID: PMC10892513.
Ulloa Del Carpio N, Alvarado-Corella D, Quiñones-Laveriano DM, Araya-Sibaja A, Vega-Baudrit J, Monagas-Juan M, Navarro-Hoyos M, Villar-López M. Exploring the chemical and pharmacological variability of Lepidium meyenii: a comprehensive review of the effects of maca. Front Pharmacol. 2024 Feb 19;15:1360422. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1360422. PMID: 38440178; PMCID: PMC10910417.
Wang, Yali, et al. “Maca: An Andean Crop with Multi-pharmacological Functions.” Food Research International, vol. 40, no. 7, 2007, pp. 783-792, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2007.02.005. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
Original article "Toronto Functional Medicine Centre – (416) 968-6961" first appeared in the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website.
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