Black maca
Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a root that grows above 4,000 metres in the Peruvian Andes, eaten for thousands of years as a food and vitality tonic.
1.5–3 g a day.
What it is
There are varieties of different colours; this profile recommends black. In trials, maca did not change testosterone or oestrogen levels: its effects do not seem to work through hormones.
What it is used for
The quiz suggests it when your answers justify it. It usually appears with these goals:
What the evidence says
Trials in people that point the same way, but still few, small or funded by the manufacturer.
Small trials show improvements in sexual desire in men and women, including during menopause. Promising but limited evidence.
| Year | What was studied | What was found | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Sexual desire: the mechanism | 12-week RCT: it improved subjective sexual desire compared with placebo, without changing testosterone. It works, but not through the hormonal route usually assumed. | Gonzales et al.Andrologia |
| 2015 | Mood and wellbeing in menopause | Crossover RCT in postmenopausal women: it reduced symptoms of depression and improved blood pressure, with no hormonal activity. | Stojanovska et al.Climacteric |
| 2010 | The critical review | Review of 4 RCTs: limited evidence, small studies. | Shin et al.BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine |
What to look for on the label
- Gelatinised black maca (easier to digest), from Peru.
Precautions
- If you have thyroid problems or have had a hormone-dependent cancer, ask first.
Where to find it
Products whose label meets what this profile asks for: form, dose per serving and nothing that contradicts it. Three at most: quality of the active comes first and, among the best, we look for one option in each price range. We choose by composition, not by who pays. The shops are European or ship to Europe.
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iHerbShips from the US, VAT included€€€High endBio Nutrition
Gelatinised black maca
500 mg of gelatinised black maca root from Peru per capsule
For the reference dose3–6 capsules (1.5–3 g)View at iHerb (opens in a new tab)Meets the criteria.
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iHerbShips from the US, VAT included€BudgetSunfood
Black maca 800 mg
800 mg of organic black maca root per capsule
For the reference dose2–3 capsules (1.6–2.4 g)View at iHerb (opens in a new tab)With caveats. It is black maca powder, not gelatinised.
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iHerbShips from the US, VAT included€BudgetViva Naturals
Gelatinised Peruvian maca
500 mg of organic gelatinised maca root per capsule
For the reference dose3–6 capsules (1.5–3 g)View at iHerb (opens in a new tab)With caveats. Gelatinised and from Peru; the label does not say it is black maca.
We link to the shop; we do not sell anything. Today we earn no commission on any link. If we ever do, the link will say so and the selection will not change: the label decides. Labels checked on 2 November 2026; check the one on the pack before you buy. All these shops deliver to the EU; some of their pages open in Spanish. How we are funded.
Nearby in the library
Is it for you?
The quiz decides from your answers, not from a profile.
Profile reviewed on 3 November 2026. Sources: EFSA, Regulation (EU) 432/2012 and published studies.
General information based on published scientific evidence and EU law. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle, and are not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease.
Do not exceed the daily dose stated on each product. If you take medication, have a medical condition or have any doubts, ask your doctor or pharmacist.