By Maria Cendejas

A favorite herb in South America called maca (Lepidium mayenii) or Peruvian ginseng can increase sexual desire in both men and women. It only grows high in the Andes mountains in Peru. While traditionally prepared as a root vegetable similar to radishes, maca is used primarily in powder form in the U.S.  Organic maca root powder is added to protein shakes or taken in capsules or tablets.

Maca appears to be a scientifically proven aphrodisiac. The herb enhances both male and female libido and even relieves some post-menopausal symptoms with no apparent negative side effects, according to Natural News.  It is also proven that maca enhances male sexual desire without affecting male sex hormone levels.

In 2001, the Asian Journal of Andrology published a study indicating that in men, maca improved seminal volume, sperm motility and sperm count. 

For the study, nine men in their 20‘s-40’s took either 1500mg or 3000mg maca for about four months. Sexual hormone levels as well as semen and sperm levels were tested. 

Researchers found use of maca did not affect male sexual hormone levels, but definitely improved sperm count and motility.

A year later, the researchers wanted to know if elevated mood because of the maca had a positive effect on male sexual desire. For twelve weeks the males between the ages of 21-56 took either 1500mg maca, 3000mg maca, or a placebo. 

Every 4, 8, 12 weeks a test was performed during the study to determine how each man felt about his own sexual desire, evidence of clinical depression, and anxiety. After eight weeks of being on maca, the men noticed an improvement in sexual desire. There was no change in male sex hormone levels in either the maca group or the placebo group.

Maca improves sexual dysfunction in post-menopausal women also and increases libido even in women taking SSRIs.

A 2008 study published in the medical journal Menopause tested 14 post-menopausal women to determine if maca had any effect on depression, anxiety, and sexual dysfunction.

This was a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, cross-over study. The women were either put on 3.5 g of maca powder or a placebo for six weeks or a placebo. Then each woman switched products for a second six weeks. At the beginning of the study, at six weeks, and at twelve weeks, blood samples were drawn to test female sex hormone levels and menopausal symptoms were evaluated. The test revealed a significant reduction in depression, anxiety, and sexual dysfunction without any negative effect on female sex hormones when the women took maca powder.

At roughly the same time, CNS Neuroscience and Therapeutics published a study specifically targeting women who were experiencing sexual dysfunction due to SSRI antidepressants. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled research study, twenty patients, including seventeen women who were on SSRI medication for clinical depression, were given either 1500mg or 3000mg maca. The patients were then given questionnaires to measure sexual dysfunction. The patients taking 3000mg maca daily reported a significant reduction in sexual dysfunction, while those on 1500mg did not. In addition, the patients taking 3000mg maca every day also reported a significant increase in sexual libido.