Maca Tea Benefits: Improving Men's and Women's Health

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We are introducing you to maca tea. Maca is a root vegetable that has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. Recent scientific studies have shown promising results regarding its potential health benefits. Maca tea benefits include improving mood, learning, and memory and helping manage menopausal symptoms. It is also well-known as an aphrodisiac tea; it may boost libido, fertility, and energy levels. If you like to enhance your libido, indulge in a cup of maca tea!

While its name may sound similar to the popular green matcha tea, these are two entirely different beverages, and you’ll soon see why. The effects of maca tea are quite distinct from those of traditional fruit, berry, or herbal teas.

What Is Maca?

Maca, also known as Peruvian ginseng (Lepidium meyenii), is a plant recognized by this name worldwide. It grows in the Andes mountains of Peru, where it is cultivated for culinary use and has numerous health benefits. Maca is part of the cruciferous vegetable family (Brassicaceae), making it a relative of vegetables like cabbage. However, unlike cabbage, the edible part of maca is its root.

Maca’s green, fragrant, feather-like leaves are rosette-like, lying close to the ground and resembling yarrow leaves. The black, red, yellow, green, or purple root has a comparison to a turnip or radish. The plant produces small white flowers in clusters.

Maca Root and Maca Powder as Superfoods

The powder of maca is made by drying and grinding the root of the maca plant, which is considered a superfood due to its rich nutritional profile. Maca root has approximately 59% carbohydrates, 10–14% protein, 10% water, 8.5% dietary fiber, and 2.2% fats. This composition makes maca particularly appealing to athletes, as its high carbohydrate content provides energy while its protein supports muscle building. Nutritionists also value maca for its low-fat content and abundant fiber, which promotes healthy digestion.

Maca also contains essential vitamins (C, B1, B2), minerals (potassium, calcium, iron, iodine), and trace elements (copper, manganese, zinc).

Maca powder is easy to incorporate into a daily diet. People usually mix it into smoothies, oatmeal, energy bars, or baked goods, adding a nutritional boost to their meals.

Maca Tea Benefits: What Are They?

Traditional medicine has valued and used maca root for various healing purposes (particularly reproductive health) since the Aztecs’ times. Scientists have not overlooked maca’s potential either. Although most studies have been conducted on animals, research on humans is gradually increasing. Preliminary findings suggest that maca may positively affect health. Here are some of the potential benefits of maca tea that scientists have identified:

Maca Tea Benefits Boosting Libido

One of the most well-known benefits of maca root is its ability to increase sexual desire. Several scientific studies support this claim. For example, a 2002 study published in the Andrologia journal found that men who took 1.5 or 3 grams of maca per day experienced increased libido over 12 weeks compared to those who received a placebo. Interestingly, the study noted no significant difference in testosterone and estradiol levels between the groups.

May Help Reduce Erectile Dysfunction

Maca tea has also shown promise in treating sexual dysfunction, including erectile dysfunction (ED). A 2009 study involving 50 men with mild ED revealed that those who took 2.4 grams of maca root powder daily for 12 weeks reported improved general and sexual well-being compared to the placebo group.

Increases Energy and Endurance

Some athletes use maca root supplements to boost energy and performance. Some scientific evidence supports this practice.

In a 2009 pilot study, researchers found that after 14 days of consuming maca extract, male cyclists improved their performance in a 40 km time trial. Additionally, the study confirmed maca’s previously noted benefit of enhancing sexual desire.

A 2006 study and subsequent scientific review explained why maca may increase energy levels. An experiment on rats showed that maca raised blood glucose concentrations. Researchers suspect that changes in glucose levels might also explain why menopausal women experience increased energy when taking maca, potentially helping them manage menopausal symptoms.

Maca Tea Benefits for Easing Menopausal Symptoms

Numerous studies have involved postmenopausal women, with most showing that maca can help alleviate menopausal symptoms. These benefits include reducing sexual dysfunction, easing anxiety and depression, and alleviating negative physical and psychological symptoms, such as nausea and night sweats. Women in these studies also exhibited increased iron levels in their blood and improved bone density, which may reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

May Improve Male Fertility

Research indicates that maca root consumption may enhance men’s fertility. While the evidence is not extensive, a 2016 review found indications that maca may improve sperm quality in both fertile and infertile men. Further support came from a 2020 study involving infertile men, which demonstrated an increase in sperm concentration following maca supplementation.

Maca tea benefits include boosting libido and energy and offer specific benefits for both men and women in different stages of life. Whether you are looking to improve your sexual health, manage menopausal symptoms, or add a superfood to your diet, maca tea might be the natural remedy for you.

A Cup of Maca Tea Can Improve Your Mood

Maca contains flavonoids, which are believed to enhance mood and reduce anxiety. A 2015 pilot study conducted in China (Climacteric journal) involving 14 postmenopausal women found that maca may help alleviate feelings of anxiety and depression. Participants consumed 3.3 grams of maca daily for 12 weeks. The same study also noted improved blood pressure in women who took maca.

Further evidence of mood-boosting and fatigue-reducing maca properties comes from a 2016 study involving 175 participants. Those who consumed 3 grams of maca daily for 12 weeks reported improved mood and reduced tiredness.

Maca Leaf Extract: A Potential Sunburn Protector?

Not only does maca root deserve praise, but its leaves also show promise. In a 2011 study, researchers applied extracts from three varieties of maca leaves to mice, who were then exposed to UVA and UVB radiation. The findings revealed that maca exhibited sun-absorbing properties and antioxidant activity. It helps to prevent cell damage and other harmful effects caused by UVB exposure. This discovery suggests that maca leaf extract could one day be used in new sunscreen products.

Maca Tea Can Aid Learning and Memory

Maca tea benefits include supporting cognitive function and memory, especially during learning. A 2011 study published in Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods found that maca improved memory in mice.

A 2014 literature review further suggested that maca could benefit learning and memory. Researchers even proposed that maca might be beneficial in treating conditions such as Alzheimer’s syndrome. The preliminary findings are promising for those seeking natural ways to boost brain function.

Maca as a Source of Antioxidants

Recent research has highlighted that maca contains antioxidant compounds, including phenolic compounds, polysaccharides, glucosinolates, and macamides. A 2014 study identified polysaccharides like rhamnose, arabinose, glucose, and galactose. These substances demonstrated significant antioxidant activity, suggesting that maca could serve as a source of bioactive compounds. These substances may treat chronic conditions such as cancer and heart disease.

With its wide range of potential health benefits, from enhancing mood and cognition to providing antioxidant protection, maca tea truly earns its reputation as a superfood. Whether you’re looking to support mental clarity, physical endurance, or overall well-being, a warm cup of maca tea could be a delightful and beneficial addition to your daily routine.

How to Prepare Maca Tea

Fortunately, you don’t need to travel to the highlands of the Andes, dig up, dry, and grind maca roots yourself—others have already done the hard work for you. You can easily find pure maca powder or blends with spices in stores. If you want to make a simple cup of maca tea, you need:

Ingredients:

2–3 teaspoons of maca root powder
250 ml (one cup) of hot water

Instructions:

Boil water in a kettle and pour it into a cup.
Add the maca powder to the hot water.
Stir thoroughly until the powder is fully dissolved.

Maca tea is often used as an additive to other teas. It pairs well with spices like cinnamon and cloves (popularly known as Maca Chai) or can be mixed with herbal teas to enhance their flavor and benefits.

Maca Tea and Powder Dosage

As with any supplement, moderation is key. The recommended daily maca powder dosage can vary based on individual needs, but experts generally suggest 1.5 to 3 grams per day for adults. The cups of maca tea you can drink depend on whether you use all the powder in one cup or spread it across several servings.

If you observe any unfavorable results from maca tea, stop it immediately. If you prefer to increase your dosage, continually seek advice from a healthcare expert to ensure safety.

Side Effects of Maca Tea

For most people, maca tea is generally considered safe and unlikely to cause side effects when consumed in moderate amounts. However, experts advise against consuming maca root powder for certain groups of people:

Pregnant and breastfeeding women: Currently, there is not enough scientific research on the effects of maca for these groups.
Children
People with thyroid disorders
Individuals undergoing treatments that affect hormone levels. It includes patients with breast, uterine, ovarian, or cervical cancers.

Though rare, some individuals have reported side effects such as mood changes, cramps, stomach upset, insomnia, headaches, and, in women, menstrual cycle disruptions.

Sources:

Research:

Maca Tea Benefits: How It Can Improve Men and Women Health?

What Is Maca?

Maca Root and Maca Powder as Superfoods