Ashwagandha and Maca

Ashwagandha and maca are two complimentary traditional herbal medicines that can help promote a sense of wellbeing, calm energy, increased vitality and may have potential hair and skin benefits!

These two powerful botanicals hail from nearly opposite ends of the earth, and now we can benefit from both of their incredible properties.

Summary of Ashwagandha and Maca

Maca has its roots in the Andes mountain region of South America in Peru. It is a member of the mustard family (brassica). It has been used in traditional medicinal preparations for thousands of years in local Peruvian cultures, and was first documented by conquistadors who noted the locals of the area farmed and dried the roots for later preparation into a vitality inducing tonic.  

Ashwagandha and Maca Overview

Maca may have effects on both men and women that are seeking to increase energy, vitality in the bedroom, and general health and wellness! Experimental studies have indicated that maca may have positive effects on nutrition, fertility, memory, and mood. Randomized clinical trials have even shown maca to have good effects on daily energy levels, increased or elevated mood states, a decrease in overall anxiety, and an improvement in sexual functions.

“medicinal effects of this root in sexual dysfunction regulation, neuroprotective effects, action in memory enhancement, antidepressant, antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory activities, and skin protection.”

Maca has grown globally to one of the top exports of Peru. Maca (now known as Lepidium meyenii Walpers) was introduced to the wider world in 1553 by a conquistador documenting his travels through South America. One hundred years later the root was first documented as Maca by Father Cobo in 1653, when he noted that the root was grown in a harsh high altitude climate and was used in fertility practices by the local populace. Maca has a long history of cultivation of over 2,000 years and has been noted as a powerful fertility and vigor producing herbal remedy by traditional medicinal practices and now has confirmation by modern clinical trials of increased vitality and a complex micronutrient profile.

Read Our Complete Article on Maca

Read Our Complete Article on Ashwagandha

Can I take Ashwagandha and Maca Together? Ashwagandha or Maca?

Ashwagandha and maca can be taken together, but prior to beginning any new health regimen you must consult with your physician. 

This combination of ashwagandha and maca may be a winning one. Maca can be felt quickly, with an increased amount of energy and vitality surging as swiftly as 30 minutes after consuming a pill or tea concoction. Ashwagandha on the other hand takes a significant amount of time to feel the full effects of, requiring regular consumption for 8-12 weeks to enjoy the full benefits. This combination may help form the habit of regular consumption by supplying both an immediate and long term benefit for use. The quick surge of maca lets you know something is happening while the ashwagandha takes effect over continued use. Taking ashwagandha and maca together can be easy as well, with many convenient pills that contain both of the powders pre mixed. 

Read our full guide to ashwagandha pills

Is Ashwagandha the same as Maca?

Ashwagandha and maca are two distinct botanicals. They come from different parts of the world and have different active chemicals, effects, uses and precautions. They are entirely different plants, but they do have overlap in some of the short and long term purported benefits. 

Map of Origin Areas of Ashwagandha Vs. Maca

Is Ashwagandha better than Maca?

Depending on the specific benefits and the timeline in which these benefits must be realized one of these may be better than the other. Ashwagandha has a host of long term benefits but as we know the effects take weeks to be enjoyed. Do not let the longer timeline make you dismiss ashwagandha entirely, instead look at the different combinations of herbal remedies that might provide both an immediate solution and a longer term solution. Maca might be the correct addition in order to add a sense of energy and vitality that can be felt within minutes instead of weeks. Maca also is host to a tremendous amount of micronutrients that can aid our well being in a number of ways. Ashwagandha also has a number of different micronutrients but it doesn’t have the same variety or density that Maca has - Maca is a true Superfood! 

One instance where Ashwagandha may be better than Maca is in combating anxiety or nerves. Maca has a quick stimulating feeling that some people describe as anxiety producing, it may increase nervousness if taken at too high a dose. In order to avoid this jittery distress, start with small doses of both to note their effects and decrease the dosage if a feeling of unease becomes noticeable. 

Ashwagandha Vs. Maca Chart

Different Kinds of Maca Sources

Maca comes in three distinct colors, and more research is needed to definitively conclude the differences in effects between black, red and yellow maca.

The purported effects of each that have been studied so far are:

Black Maca: May increase sperm production and motility in men more than other color varieties.

Red Maca: May reduce prostate size if inflamed in men more than other color varieties.

Yellow Maca: Needs more clinical studies to determine the effects

Some colors of maca may be more readily available than others, and often products don’t even specify which maca root is contained in the powdered or concentrated forms on offer. 

Active ingredients in Maca

Maca contains fiber, essential amino acids, fatty acids, vitamin c, copper, iron and calcium! 

Maca also contains polyphenols, macaenes, macamides, glucosinolates and alkaloids. 

These macaenes, macamides and alkaloids are the potential secret to macas unique benefits - as with any evolving science more research needs to be done in order to properly assess exactly what each of these constituent components brings to the table, here at AshwaGoddess we are always speaking with researchers and reading through the latest publications to bring the most up to date information available!

How to Prepare Maca:

Maca powder can be added to pretty much anything - its flavor pairs well with coffee and it can even be added to smoothies or shakes that lean towards the citrus or fruity end of the spectrum.

Our personal favorite way of adding a maca boost to our day is with a maca latte. There are a ton of great recipes out there, here is (in our opinion) the best of the best! This recipe allows a lot of customization and should be used as a guideline for flavourful customized adventure instead of strictly followed, everyone has different tastes and feel free to leave out an ingredient or substitute it for one that follows your personal health goals more closely!

Key Ingredients to make Maca:

Milk: Local happy cows milk, coconut milk, nut milk (almond milk, oat milk, cashew milk - yum!) 

Cinnamon: whole stick or powdered

Vanilla: extract, syrup, concentrate, or straight from the bean and steeped in the milk of your choice

Maple Syrup

Cacao Powder

Maca Powder

Espresso (optional for a shot of extra velvety chocolate expression and a boost of energy!)

Possible additions:

Turmeric

Ginger

Ashwagandha powder

Equipment:

Small pan

Heating source: stove top or conduction

Sieve or cheesecloth

Favorite mug

Preparation Method for Maca:

1. Heat a pan on low until warmed through
2. Add one cup of preferred milk
3. Combine all ingredients in milk, stirring occasionally until mixture is brought to desired temperature - heating slowly over the course of a few minutes allows all of the essential flavors to be extracted and meld together
4. Take off of heat, strain through sieve or cheesecloth to remove fine particulate
5. Froth aggressively or enjoy as is!

Is Maca Addicting?

There is very little to no research available about the addiction potential of maca at this time - we are always looking towards the newest science available and speaking with researchers, if and when a study is released about maca being addicting we will update this article immediately. Maca addiction at this time is not a known addiction - if you or someone you know is struggling with addiction seek help immediately.