Royal Maca (Whole World Botanicals) Each bottle, 175 grams maca root powder. Each 1/3 tsp. contains 833 mg Royal Maca Root powder along with 2.49 mcg of selenium. This is certified organic by BIO LATINA in Lima, Peru, which so far as we have reviewed here at NYBC appears to be a legitimate certification institution for organic products from this region. This product is also labeled as USDA Organic.

Whole World Botanicals obtains its root from a farm in the high Central Sierra of Peru. Maca, from the root of Lepidium peruvianum / meyenii, has a nutty, malty flavor and is used in traditional medicine to address hormonal imbalances in both women and men. Consider it for managing PMS or menopausal symptoms, for low energy related to hypothyroidism (low function) and may help improve bone strength. Men also use it for libido, erectile function, mood, mental clarity, focus and energy (especially over age 40).

Unfortunately, there appear to be few clinical data, however we report on one animal study, abstract below. There are some data in Spanish which look promising (although my Spanish is not very good!) Help translating?

This product is a fair trade product, according to the manufacturer, however it is not labeled as such (yet).

Suggested use varies. For men, 1/6 to 1/2 tsp daily or every other day. For women with hot flashes or other menopausal symptoms, take 1/3 tsp for the first week. If symptoms are not 80% improved, increase dose to 1/2 tsp. Increase gradually til symptoms abate. Do NOT take with estrogen or estrogenic herbs (may increase hot flash symptoms!). Also do not take with estrogen or if you have any hormone-related cancer. For men, take 1/6 to 1/2 tsp daily or, if you prefer, 2/3 to 1 tsp every other day.
Do not refrigerate.

Lopez-Fando A, Gomez-Serranillos MP, Iglesias I, Lock O, Upamayta UP, Carretero ME. Lepidium peruvianum chacon restores homeostasis impaired by restraint stress. Phytother Res. 2004 Jun;18(6):471-474.

Abstract

Lepidium peruvianum root has been traditionally utilized by native Peruvians, since before the time of the Incas, for both nutritional and putative medicinal purposes as an adaptogen and also to enhance fertility in humans and animals. The present research was conducted to evaluate the anti-stress activity of the methanolic extract of Lepidium peruvianum. The drug is capable of attenuating or even eliminating variations in homeostasis produced by stress since it reduces or abolishes stress-induced ulcers, elevated corticosterone levels, the reduction of glucose and the increase in the weight of adrenal glands produced by stress. It also eliminates the decrease in free fatty-acids (FFA) in plasma produced by stress and we obtain a positive result in the forced-swimming test. Thus, it did not appear to affect restraint stress-induced immunosuppression.