Properties: Sweet, pungent, bitter, cool
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Kidneys, Spleen
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Tonify Kidney Yang, Yin and Essence (Jing)
Fatigue, cold limbs, lower back pain
Fertility issues and low libido in both men and women
Hot flashes, night sweats
Poor memory
Less warming than other tonics so suitable for a broad range of Kidney Yin and Yang deficiencies
- Nourishes Qi and Blood
Physical weakness, chronic fatigue
Aenemia
Taxation deficiency from chronic stress, resistance to ongoing stress
- Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach
Poor digestion, constipation
Obesity, metabolic disorders
Poor concentration, rumination, depression
Suggested Daily Dosage: 3-9g of raw root, usually powdered and taken as a supplement but may also be eaten as food.
Notable Constituents:
- Macamides
Nonpolar N-benzylalcamides of fatty acids that occur as secondary metabolites found only in maca and used as a marker of quality assessment (Xia et al., 2021). These are suspected to be responsible for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, neuroprotective and immunomodulatory effects.
- Macaenes
Metabolites of long-chain unsaturated fatty acids which act as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonists, that can influence lipid metabolism, increasing fatty acid oxidation and reducing circulating and cellular lipid levels in obese diabetic individuals (Kim et al., 2011).
- Glucosinolates
Sulfur-rich hydrophilic anionic precursors found in many Brassicaceae. The composition of glucosinolates in maca varies according to the stage of development. Glucotropaeolin and glucolimnantin have been suggested to be the main varieties in Maca.
Notes:
For a detailed review, see Ulloa Del Carpio et al., (2024)
Does not appear in any formulae listed on this site
Research Links & References: (click to display)
Research Links:
Reference Notes:
Individual herb information has sourced mainly from TCM Wiki and American Dragon for basic data and then updated manually with my own notes. Zhou, Xie and Yan (2011): Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Vol. 5, and A+ Medical Encyclopaedia have been used for entries not available from those sources with additional material searched for and filled in where available. Western herbs not appearing in the Chinese literature have used Ross (2010): Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine: A Clinical Materia Medica, White Rabbit Institute of Healing and therapeutika.ch. Choices of which source to use or combine have been my own.
These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted. Actions and indications are taken from traditional uses and do not necessarily reflect the evidence base which should be researched independently. Dosages are for guidance only and will vary dependening on the potency of the batch and the tolerance of the individual so should be evaluated by a professional based on individual needs.
