Maca Root: The Andean Foundation Herb
Maca root is a cruciferous root vegetable grown high in the Peruvian Andes, eaten as food and used as a herbal tonic for more than two thousand years. It is the foundation herb in Stamina for Men®, the base on which the other three herbs in the formula build.
Maca is not a quick stimulant. Its traditional reputation, and the work it does in our formula, is broad baseline support for energy and vitality.
Where Maca Grows
Maca grows at altitudes between 3,800 and 4,500 metres above sea level on the Junín plateau of central Peru. That is higher than any mountain in Australia.
Most crops cannot survive at that altitude. Maca thrives in it. The plant is exposed to thin oxygen, intense ultraviolet light, freezing nights, and dry winds. These stressors shape the chemical profile of the root.
Maca grown at lower altitudes differs in composition from genuine high-altitude Peruvian maca. The Junín-grown variety is treated as the reference standard in the botanical literature, and it is the variety used in Stamina for Men®.
Traditional Use
Maca has been cultivated and eaten in the Peruvian highlands for at least two thousand years. Indigenous Andean communities use it as a staple food and as a tonic.
The traditional uses recorded in the herbal literature centre on energy, stamina, fertility, and resilience to high-altitude living. Maca is eaten cooked as a root vegetable, brewed as a beverage, or dried and ground into powder for daily use.
The traditional preparation matters. Raw maca is starchy and not easily digested. The Andean method, used for centuries, is to boil or steam the root before eating. The modern equivalent is gelatinised maca, where the starch is processed out for digestibility. This is the form used in most clinical trials.
What the Research Shows
Maca is among the better-studied Andean herbs, with controlled trials in humans dating back to the early 2000s.
A 12-week double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial published in Andrologia found that men taking Maca reported significantly greater improvement in sexual desire than men taking placebo. The effect appeared from week 8 and was independent of changes in mood or serum testosterone, which rules out the obvious confounders. Gonzales et al., Andrologia, 2002.
A separate randomised double-blind trial in men with mild erectile difficulty, published in the same journal, found that Maca improved subjective well-being and satisfaction with sexual performance more than placebo over 12 weeks. Zenico et al., Andrologia, 2009.
A systematic review published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine examined four randomised controlled trials and concluded there is suggestive evidence Maca improves sexual function in men, while calling for larger trials. Shin et al., BMC Complement Altern Med, 2010.
The research is not definitive, and Maca is not a substitute for medical advice. What the literature does establish is a pattern: across multiple controlled trials, men taking Maca report greater subjective improvement than men taking placebo, on outcomes that match its traditional use.
Maca's Role in Stamina for Men
Stamina for Men® is built on four herbs, each chosen for a specific job. Maca's job is the baseline.
| Herb | Origin | Role in the formula |
|---|---|---|
| Maca | Peru | Baseline energy and vitality support |
| Panax Ginseng | Korea | Focused, more immediate energy lift |
| Damiana | Mexico | Calming, nerve-settling, traditional aphrodisiac |
| Ginkgo Biloba | China | Circulation support |
Maca is the herb that does the quiet work. It also has the longest food history of the four, eaten as a daily staple in its country of origin. A plant used as food for two millennia carries a different safety profile to a herb extracted only as a concentrated supplement.
Safety and Interactions
Maca has a strong traditional safety record. It is eaten as a vegetable by Andean populations across all ages, and toxicological reviews confirm a favourable safety profile at typical doses.
A few practical notes:
- Maca is a member of the brassica family, which includes broccoli, cabbage, and kale. All brassicas contain naturally occurring goitrogens. Cooking, including the traditional gelatinisation process, reduces these substantially.
- If you are taking prescription medication or have a diagnosed condition, speak to your doctor before adding Maca to your routine.
- Maca is not recommended during pregnancy without medical advice, despite its traditional use, because controlled safety data in pregnancy is limited.
The amount of Maca in a sensible herbal formula, taken when needed rather than daily, sits well within the traditional dose range.
The Other Three Herbs in Our Formula
- Panax Ginseng: the Korean focused-energy root
- Damiana: the Mexican calming aphrodisiac
- Ginkgo Biloba: the Chinese circulation herb
See all four herbs and how they work together on the Ingredients overview page.
For Maca in the Australian context and how men are actually using it, see our article Maca for Men in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maca
How long does Maca take to work?
In the clinical trials, men reported noticeable changes from around week 8 of daily use. In the Stamina for Men® formula, where Maca sits alongside three other herbs and is taken only when needed, most men feel the combined effect of the formula within 30 to 40 minutes.
Is Maca a stimulant like caffeine?
No. Maca does not contain caffeine or any other stimulant compound. The energy support it provides is broad and gradual, not a sharp lift.
Does Maca raise testosterone?
The 2002 Andrologia trial measured serum testosterone in men taking Maca and found no change versus placebo. The improvements men reported in sexual desire were independent of testosterone levels. Maca is not a testosterone booster.
What is the difference between black, red, and yellow Maca?
Maca grows in three main colour variants. Yellow is the most common and the form used in most of the clinical literature. Black and red Maca are studied less but show similar patterns in available trials.
Can Maca be taken every day?
Maca has been eaten daily as food in Peru for two thousand years, and clinical trials have used daily dosing for 12 weeks without safety concerns. Stamina for Men® is formulated to be taken only when needed, not daily.
Is the Maca in Stamina for Men from Peru?
Yes. The Maca in our formula is sourced from the Junín plateau in the Peruvian Andes, the traditional and reference-standard growing region.
Curious whether Stamina for Men® is right for you? The sample pack is free, you cover $4.50 shipping worldwide.
Last reviewed: 29 May 2026 by Greg Berryman, Founder of Stamina for Men®