🦙Andean & Incan Medicine

Maca Negra (Black Maca)

Lepidium meyenii var. nigrum

About Maca Negra (Black Maca)

Maca Negra (Black Maca) (Lepidium meyenii var. nigrum) is a herb used in the Andean & Incan Medicine tradition to help with Memory, Focus, Fatigue, and Men's Health. The root (hypocotyl) is the part traditionally used, taken internally.

Parts used

Root (hypocotyl) · internal

Conditions addressed

🍵

Tea / Infusion

1–3 cups daily
  • Steep 1–2 tsp of dried Maca Negra (Black Maca) in freshly boiled water for 5–10 minutes.
  • Cover while steeping.
  • Strain and drink.
💧

Tincture

20–40 drops in water, 2–3× daily
  • Pack dried Maca Negra (Black Maca) into a jar and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
  • Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
  • Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.
💊

Powder / Capsule

500 mg – 1 g, 1–3× daily
  • Grind dried Maca Negra (Black Maca) into a fine powder.
  • Fill size 00 capsules or stir into smoothies or honey.

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.

Contraindications

    Warnings

    ⚠️ Allergic Reactions

    Discontinue immediately if you experience rash, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing.

    ⚠️ Not Medical Advice

    This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using herbal remedies.

    Drug & herb interactions

    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.

    Where to find in nature

    Native region

    Andes Mountains — Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile

    Climate

    High-altitude tropical

    Habitat

    Andean highlands (altiplano), cloud forests, and valley farmland of the Andes

    🌿 To see Maca Negra (Black Maca) growing, visit botanical gardens, university plant collections, or specialist herb nurseries near you. If foraging in the wild, always work with an expert identifier — never consume a plant you are not 100% certain of.

    Where to buy

    In store

    • Health food stores (Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, Holland & Barrett, GNC)
    • Naturopathic clinics and integrative medicine practices
    • Specialist herbal apothecaries and herbalist practices
    • Farmers markets with herb vendors

    Online

    iHerb

    Wide selection of standardised extracts, capsules, and powders with lab testing

    Mountain Rose Herbs

    Premium bulk dried herbs — certified organic, ethically sourced

    Starwest Botanicals

    Large selection of certified organic bulk herbs and powders

    Herb Pharm

    High-quality liquid extracts and tinctures, rigorous quality standards

    Amazon

    Convenient — verify brand certifications and check third-party testing

    Etsy

    Small-batch artisan herbalists, hand-harvested and wildcrafted herbs

    Quality tips

    When buying Maca Negra (Black Maca), look for: certified organic labelling, clearly stated country of origin, third-party lab testing for heavy metals and pesticides, and a batch expiry date. Standardised extracts offer consistent dosing; bulk dried herbs are more economical for regular use. Avoid very cheap, unlabelled products — quality varies enormously.