What Is Peruvian Maca?

Sometimes called Ayuk Willku or Lepidium peruvianum, Peruvian maca is a type of plant native to the South American country of Peru. Maca has been used by the indigenous people of Peru for centuries for a variety of medical purposes, according to the Physician's Desktop Reference.

Appearance

• Above the ground the greens of Peruvian maca are bushy green and resemble parsley or kale, while the root of the plant resembles a beet and is either purple or yellow. The root is the part of Peruvian maca used in alternative medicine.

Uses

• Peruvian maca is most commonly used in alternative medicine as a treatment for impotence and sexual dysfunction in men. Other uses include the treatment of leukemia, anemia, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, memory loss, infertility, tuberculosis, osteoporosis, female hormone imbalances and the progression of AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome).

Expert Insight

• A 2009 study at Northumbria University in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, found an improvement both in athletic ability and sexual desire in athletes who were given maca for 14 days.

Time Frame

• Maca is generally considered safe when taken for three months, according to RxList. However, the effects of long-term use of Peruvian maca are unknown.

Risks

• Some people develop severe allergic reactions to Peruvian maca, causing shortness of breath, chest pain and skin hives, according to the Physician's Desktop Reference. Because its effects upon fetal development are unknown, avoid taking Peruvian maca if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.