🦙Andean & Incan Medicine

Maca

vegetable

Maca

Lepidium meyenii, known as maca or Peruvian ginseng, is an edible herbaceous biennial plant of the family Brassicaceae that is native to South America in the high Andes mountains of Peru and Bolivia. Its use increased after the late 1980s, when it was commercially discovered.

Conditions addressed

Hormonal ImbalanceFatigueFertilityMenopauseStress

How to use

1–2 cups cooked or raw daily
  • Eat steamed, roasted, stir-fried, or raw in salads.
  • Lightly cooking increases digestibility.

Pregnancy, Breastfeeding & Children

Pregnancy

Avoid

As a hormone-modulating root traditionally used for fertility support, maca is generally advised against once pregnancy is established, since its endocrine activity is unstudied in that context.

Breastfeeding

Use Caution

Limited formal safety data during breastfeeding; hormone-modulating activity means it's generally used cautiously.

Children

Avoid

As a hormone-modulating root, maca is not used in children.

Interactions & contraindications

May affect hormone levels

Watch for: Hormone therapies, oral contraceptives, and tamoxifen or similar medications

Some herbs have mild phytoestrogenic or hormone-modulating activity that can interact with hormonal medications.

May have a stimulant effect

Watch for: Other caffeine-containing products, MAOIs, and stimulant medications (for ADHD or weight loss)

Additive stimulant effects can raise heart rate and blood pressure.

May have a calming/sedative effect

Watch for: Benzodiazepines, sleep medications, other sedative herbs, and alcohol

Combined CNS-depressant effects can cause excessive drowsiness or impaired coordination.