From the Author
As a college lecturer, integrative functional doctor, and medical herbalist, I have used—and closely followed—the research into maca (Lepidium peruvianum) for more than 15 years.
In my clinical practice, and in keeping with the research of the late 1990s and early 2000s, my early focus was primarily on maca’s use in men, particularly in relation to fertility and energy. I used standard maca powders for this purpose with fair success. However, while I consistently observed improved energy in women, I did not see strong or reliable results beyond that.
Over the past decade, both my clinical use and academic focus have expanded to include women as well. This shift occurred as the research made something increasingly clear: not all maca is the same. Differences in maca type, preparation, and formulation profoundly influence how it interacts with the body.
About Maca
Maca is cultivated in the central Peruvian Andes at elevations of 12,000–14,000 feet, where it grows under extreme environmental conditions. Traditionally, maca has been studied for its ability to support the body’s response to stress, fatigue, and environmental challenges.
Much of the early research into this category of plants focused on their influence on adrenal function—helping regulate stress responses and energy production. However, many of the broader health claims now associated with these plants were not part of their original scientific definition and are often applied too broadly.
What makes maca different is that its effects extend beyond general stress response—and those effects are not uniform.
What Makes Maca Different
Research over the last decade has demonstrated that maca is not a single, uniform plant. There are 17 distinct types, called phenotypes - of Lepidium peruvianum. These phenotypes can be different colors, have different DNA, different active ingredient profiles, and even different effects on the body.
Maca contains a wide range of naturally occurring compounds, including amino acids, glucosinolates, phytosterols, and alkaloids. Importantly, research shows that phenotype color corresponds with differences in genetic expression and phytochemical composition, which helps explain why different types of maca can influence different physiological systems.
In addition to phenotype, growing conditions matter. Altitude, soil composition, and cultivation region influence the concentration and balance of active constituents. Studies have shown that maca grown at different elevations exhibits measurable differences in phytochemical profiles—differences that may directly impact its physiological activity.
The Importance of Using the Right Maca Phenotype
Research led by Dr. Gustavo F. Gonzales at the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia in Lima, Peru, has been instrumental in clarifying how different maca phenotypes affect the body.
His work demonstrated that:
- Red maca may reduce prostate size, while other phenotypes do not, and in some cases may increase it
- Black maca is associated with energy support, blood glucose balance, memory, learning, and male fertility parameters
- Yellow maca has demonstrated effects related to uterine weight and fertility outcomes in animal models
Additional studies found that specific phenotypes differed in their effects on mood, bone structure, skin protection, libido, and reproductive parameters. These effects were not interchangeable across phenotypes.
These findings reinforced an important clinical principle: choosing the wrong maca phenotype may result in limited benefit or unintended outcomes.
Clinically Studied Phenotype Combinations
Building on this foundational research, Dr. Henry Meissner, Director of Research and Development at Symphony Natural Health, published groundbreaking clinical work on specific, concentrated, gelatinized maca phenotype combinations, known as Maca-GO® (commercially available as Femmenessence®).
To date, these studies represent the only human clinical trials on maca that demonstrate statistically significant effects on hormone markers in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.
By contrast, studies using standard raw or gelatinized maca powders - without phenotype specificity or concentration - have consistently shown no statistically significant impact on female hormone markers.
In controlled, double-blind, placebo-crossover trials, Dr. Meissner demonstrated that both phenotype selection and concentration of active constituents are essential for producing measurable physiological effects on hormones, lipids, and bone density.
Life-Stage–Specific Maca Formulations for Women
This research led to the development of three phenotype-specific maca combinations, each designed to support women at different stages of life:
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Femmenessence® MacaPause® – formulated for postmenopausal women to support the body’s natural hormone production
- Associated with a statistically significant impact on estradiol, progesterone and FSH
- Improvements in menopausal symptoms, lipid markers, body composition, and bone density
- Femmenessence® MacaLife® – formulated for women in perimenopause, addressing symptom relief and hormone fluctuation
- Femmenessence® MacaHarmony® – formulated for younger women to support hormonal balance related to menstrual health, PMS, PCOS and fertility
These formulations reflect a shift from generic supplementation toward targeted, life-stage-specific endocrine support.
My Clinical Experience
In my practice, the difference between using phenotype-specific maca formulations and generic maca products has been substantial.
Rather than simply reporting that they “feel better,” many of my female patients have experienced measurable changes in hormone markers, alongside improvements in symptoms related to:
- PMS and menstrual irregularity
- Fertility challenges
- Perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms
- Mood, energy, and sleep
- Bone and cardiovascular health
I have also observed that standard maca powders, which primarily influence adrenal activity, may worsen symptoms in women with conditions such as PCOS or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. In contrast, phenotype-specific formulations designed to support broader endocrine communication have produced more consistent and positive outcomes.
Why Quality and Processing Matter
Maca is a tuber and is naturally difficult to digest in its raw form. Traditionally, it was cooked before consumption. Modern processing addresses this through gelatinization, which significantly improves bioavailability.
Research shows that:
- Raw maca is approximately 68% water-soluble
- Standard gelatinized maca ranges from 87–98%
- Maca-GO® achieves 98–99% solubility
Beyond processing, quality is influenced by seed selection, soil composition, organic farming practices, altitude-specific cultivation, and traditional sun-drying methods. Published research confirms that planting site and processing methods are major determinants of maca’s active constituent profile.
Bringing Tradition and Science Together
As the natural products industry continues to evolve, it is critical to pair traditional knowledge with modern pharmacology, toxicology, and well-designed human clinical trials.
All herbs are not created equal. Understanding their complexity and using formulations supported by research, quality controls, and appropriate dosing is essential for achieving reliable, meaningful health outcomes.
Key Takeaways
- Not all maca is the same - phenotype matters
- There are 17 distinct maca phenotypes, each with different biological effects
- Clinical outcomes depend on phenotype selection, concentration, and processing
- Generic maca powders may be ineffective, or inappropriate, for certain individuals
- Phenotype-specific, clinically studied formulations offer a more precise, evidence-based approach to hormonal health
