Kenya
Erectil
Maca, fenugreek, ginseng, tongkat ali and epimedium capsules for men’s vitality
KES 5,900
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Maca root: What It Is, What It Brings and How to Choose a Supplement
Lepidium meyenii · Also known as Peruvian ginseng
Maca is a high-altitude Andean root sold worldwide in energy and vitality formulas. It is a nourishing, food-grade ingredient that has been eaten for generations and brings a natural, caffeine-free lift to men’s and women’s blends.
What is maca root?
Maca is the root of Lepidium meyenii, cultivated on the Peruvian altiplano and eaten locally as a food. Yellow, red and black varieties are sold, and their composition is not identical.
Supplement products use dried root powder or concentrated extracts; gelatinised maca has been heat-treated to improve digestibility.
Traditional and regional use
Maca is an Andean staple food and traditional tonic, eaten for stamina and vitality in the high Andes. It reaches Africa as an imported ingredient in energy and vitality formulas.
What is maca root known for?
Good to know. Supplements containing maca root are food supplements, so their labels describe support for everyday wellbeing.
Randomised trials have looked at maca in relation to desire, mood and wellbeing during menopause, with positive results reported.
Its long history as an everyday food in the Andes underlines its place as a gentle, nourishing ingredient for daily use.
How is it used in supplements?
Maca appears in men’s vitality complexes, women’s hormonal-balance products and energy blends, usually at gram-level doses of powder or a stated extract ratio.
Forms and sources
- Dried root powder
- Gelatinised maca powder
- Concentrated extracts in capsules
- Blended energy powders
Safety
- Eaten as a food in the Andes and generally regarded as well tolerated at usual supplement intakes.
- Keep to the daily amount on the label.
- People with thyroid conditions should note that maca belongs to the brassica family, which contains glucosinolates.
Possible side effects
Digestive discomfort and occasional sleep disturbance if taken late in the day.
Interactions
No well-documented drug interactions. Mention it to your doctor if you receive any hormone-related treatment.
Who should seek professional advice
People with thyroid disease, people with hormone-sensitive conditions, and anyone pregnant or breastfeeding.
How to choose a supplement containing maca root
- Check whether the product is powder or extract, and at what ratio — a gram of extract is not a gram of powder.
- Look for the named extract and the amount per serving — that is what tells you what a formula supplies.
Products containing maca root
Products documented in African markets whose supplier material names this ingredient.
Supplement categories using this ingredient
Related health topics
Frequently asked questions
Does maca contain caffeine?
No. Maca is caffeine-free, so it suits people who prefer to avoid stimulants.
Is black maca better than yellow?
Yellow, red and black maca each have their own composition and fans. All three are used in vitality formulas, and the pack tells you which one a product contains.
Related ingredients
References
- NCCIH — Herbs at a Glance
- NCCIH — Herbs at a Glance — US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: plain-language summaries of what is known about individual botanicals.
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements — fact sheets — Nutrient-by-nutrient fact sheets with intake levels and interaction notes.
- How we choose sources
Medical disclaimer. BioMedic Africa publishes consumer health information and supplement research summaries. It is not a pharmacy, a clinic or a medicines regulator, and nothing here is a diagnosis, a prescription or a treatment plan. Dietary supplements are foods, not medicines: they are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Speak with a pharmacist or a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, under 18, living with a long-term condition, or taking prescription medication.