Maca root supplements are mainly taken for natural energy, stamina and hormonal balance. Maca is also a mineral-rich superfood.

Yes. Maca is popular with women for energy, mood and hormonal balance. Speak to your doctor first if you have a hormone-sensitive condition or are pregnant.

Start with one teaspoon a day and build up to the label dose. Our capsules give 2250mg per serving.

Maca has a malty, nutty and slightly sweet taste, often compared to butterscotch. It blends well with banana, coffee and cocoa.

For most people, yes. Gelatinized maca is easier to digest and less likely to cause bloating.

Maca Root Supplements

Maca root supplements are made from a Peruvian superfood taken for natural energy, stamina and hormonal balance in both men and women. Our organic maca comes from the high Andes and is gelatinized for easier digestion. Choose maca root powder for smoothies and laddoos, or capsules for a fixed daily dose.

What are maca root supplements made from?

Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a root vegetable from the same family as radish and mustard. It grows at 4,000 metres and above in the Andes mountains of Peru, where very few other crops survive the cold, wind and strong sunlight.

Peruvians have eaten maca for thousands of years, traditionally for energy, stamina and fertility. It is often called Peruvian ginseng, although it is not related to ginseng at all.

Maca is a food first. It contains carbohydrates, fibre, plant protein, amino acids and minerals such as iron, potassium and copper, along with unique compounds called macamides and macaenes. Read the full profile on our maca root ingredient page and our page on Peruvian maca.

What are the benefits of maca root supplements?

People take maca root supplements mainly for steady daily energy and stamina. Maca contains no caffeine, so it does not cause jitters or a crash.

The most common reasons our customers give:

• Natural energy for long working days.
• Stamina for workouts and an active lifestyle.
• Hormonal balance, which is a traditional use for both men and women.
• Mood and libido, which are among the most studied uses of maca.
• Nutrition, as a mineral-rich superfood in the diet.

Maca works gradually. A maca root supplement is best seen as a daily food-based habit rather than a quick boost.

What is gelatinized maca and why does it matter?

Gelatinized maca is maca that has been gently heated and pressed to remove much of its starch. Despite the name, it contains no gelatin and is fully plant-based.

Raw maca is hard to digest for many people, which can cause bloating or gas. In Peru, maca is almost always cooked before eating. Gelatinization does the same job. It makes the maca easier on the stomach and concentrates its nutrients, which is why most good maca root supplements use it. Our maca root capsules use gelatinized organic yellow maca, with 2250mg per serving.

Which maca root supplement should you choose?

All our maca root supplements are made from organic Peruvian maca. The choice depends on how you like to take them.

• Maca Root Powder. How you take it: 1 to 2 teaspoons in a smoothie, milk or food. Taste: Malty, nutty, slightly sweet. Best for: People who like to cook or blend.
• Maca Root Capsules. How you take it: Capsules with water, 2250mg per serving. Taste: None. Best for: A fixed daily dose with no taste.
• Lion's Mane and Maca Bundle. How you take it: Capsules plus maca. Taste: Varies. Best for: Focus and energy together.

Maca root powder

Our maca root powder is organic Peruvian maca with a malty, butterscotch-like taste. It works well in banana smoothies, cold coffee, oats, milk and even homemade laddoos.

Maca root capsules

Maca root capsules are the easiest maca root supplement if you dislike the taste or do not want to measure powder every day.

Maca with Lion's Mane

The Lion's Mane and Maca Root bundle combines energy from maca with focus support from Lion's Mane. It is popular with professionals and students.

How do you take maca root supplements?

Start with one teaspoon of maca root powder a day and build up to the label dose over a week or two. Mix it into something cold or warm, but avoid boiling it. If you use capsules, take the label dose with water and breakfast.

Easy ways to add maca to your day

• Banana maca smoothie: Blend a banana, a cup of milk, a teaspoon of maca and a few dates.
• Maca cold coffee: Add maca to your usual cold coffee for a malty taste.
• Breakfast oats: Stir it into cooked oats once they are off the heat.
•  Maca laddoos: Mix maca with dates, nuts and seeds and roll into small balls.

When is the best time to take a maca root supplement?

Most people take maca in the morning or before exercise, because it supports energy. Avoid taking it late at night if you find it too energising.

How long do maca root supplements take to work?

Some people notice more energy within two to three weeks. Most studies on maca run for 6 to 12 weeks, so give any maca root supplement at least two months of daily use.

Where do maca root supplements come from?

Maca is traditionally grown on the high plateaus of central Peru, such as the Junín plateau, where farmers have cultivated it for centuries. After harvest, the roots are usually dried in the open air before being milled. Gelatinized maca root powder goes through one more step, a gentle heating that removes much of the starch. Our maca is organic Peruvian maca, and the capsules use gelatinized yellow maca.

Because maca grows so high up, it cannot be farmed in most of the world. That is why real Peruvian maca root supplements cost more than many other superfoods.

Maca or Ashwagandha: which should you choose?

Both are popular natural supplements, but they suit different goals. Maca is energising and is mainly used for stamina, energy and libido. Ashwagandha is calming and is mainly used for stress and sleep. Read our full comparison of maca vs Ashwagandha.

How do you choose the best maca root supplements in India?

Maca root supplement prices in India vary a lot. Use these checks to compare brands:

1. Origin. Look for maca grown in Peru at high altitude.
2. Organic certification. Maca is a root, so soil quality matters.
3. Gelatinized or raw. Gelatinized is easier to digest for most people.
4. Colour. Yellow maca is the most common and well studied.
5. Testing. Ask for a lab report. Ours are on the certificates page.

Our guide on how to choose the best maca root powder goes into more detail.

Are maca root supplements safe?

Maca has been eaten as a food in Peru for thousands of years, and maca root supplements are well tolerated by most healthy adults at normal amounts. Raw maca can cause bloating, which is why gelatinized maca is often recommended.

Talk to your doctor first if you have a thyroid condition, a hormone-sensitive condition such as breast cancer, endometriosis or fibroids, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. For an independent overview, see Memorial Sloan Kettering's page on maca.

Related collections

• Energy booster supplements for daily energy.
• Men's health supplements for stamina and vitality.
• Women's health supplements for everyday wellness.
• Ayurvedic and herbal supplements for traditional herbs.