For centuries the people of Peru have used the different colours of maca root for different healing benefits. New scientific studies have shown that the different coloured roots contain different bioactive profiles and exhibit unique biological properties. Using ancient wisdom and modern science we make sense of these observations and provide you answers on which maca is best for you.
Seeds of maca produce all 3 main colours of the root in the ratio of 60-70% yellow maca, 20-25% red maca, and 10-15% black maca, you cannot selectively cultivate just one colour. Yellow being the most abundant and cheapest is used as a daily tonic to build balance and resilience to stress, the more rare red maca optimises internal harmony, reduces inflammation and the rarest black maca promotes external strength, stamina and mental focus. You can use the colours individually or combine them for multiple benefits. We produce high dose concentrated forms of the pure roots and also lower dose blends of the 3 colours in optimum ratios for men or women. See the properties of each formulation below.
Seeds of maca produce all 3 main colours of the root in the ratio of 60-70% yellow maca, 20-25% red maca, and 10-15% black maca, you cannot selectively cultivate just one colour. Yellow being the most abundant and cheapest is used as a daily tonic to build balance and resilience to stress, the more rare red maca optimises internal harmony, reduces inflammation and the rarest black maca promotes external strength, stamina and mental focus. You can use the colours individually or combine them for multiple benefits. We produce high dose concentrated forms of the pure roots and also lower dose blends of the 3 colours in optimum ratios for men or women. See the properties of each formulation below.
Cacao Butter
Cacao butter is the combined butter made from all of the fat-based components in whole cacao beans. This is made by pressing the milled cacao beans to separate the cacao butter from the non-fat cacao mass or solid. The most common use for cacao butter is for making chocolate, however, cacao butter is a great option for making desserts at home, especially in raw vegan recipes. Cacao butter is also used in many cosmetic products, such as moisturising lotions. Made from raw cacao beans, cacao butter is packed with plenty of antioxidants and healthy natural fats.
Yellow maca root
Yellow Maca makes up 60-70% of our annual harvest and known to be energetically neutral (balancing). It is traditionally taken daily for ongoing support, balance and to build resilience to stress. Our scientific analysis of yellow maca showed that it had the broadest array of macamides (maca's unique main bioactive components) but lower total concentrations compared to red maca or black maca. As such we can say that Yellow maca is the mildest colour to consume in terms of activity and and can act as a great general tonic for women, men and children. We recommend our yellow maca for mild hormonal imbalances (including PMS and menopause), thyroid function, energy, immunity, mental health and for building physical an emotional resilience to stress. We also recommend it for children to boost immunity, energy, focus and mental function.
Red maca root
Red Maca root is rarer than yellow maca and makes up only 20-25% of our harvest. It is considered more sacred and used more for the treatment of chronic health conditions. Energetically red Maca symbolises our bodys internal (feminine) energy, that nourishes, balances, and calms. Through nourishing the internal energy it offers benefits for those with anxiety, adrenal fatigue, weakened bones, poor circulation, low blood oxygen, inflammation, autoimmunity, prostate function in men, hormonal balance in women, and female libido.
Red maca root takes care of our entire inner being and nourishes our feminine (yin) energy. In Peru we say that red maca is just like a loving and comforting hug from your mum. Our scientific studies of red maca have shown the root contains higher levels of total bioactive macamides compared to yellow maca with some unique molecules that have the ability to activate anti-inflammatory pathways in the nervous system, reducing inflammation and stress. Red maca is ideal for use by both men and women and we recommend it for more chronic or acute conditions and imbalances.
Red maca root takes care of our entire inner being and nourishes our feminine (yin) energy. In Peru we say that red maca is just like a loving and comforting hug from your mum. Our scientific studies of red maca have shown the root contains higher levels of total bioactive macamides compared to yellow maca with some unique molecules that have the ability to activate anti-inflammatory pathways in the nervous system, reducing inflammation and stress. Red maca is ideal for use by both men and women and we recommend it for more chronic or acute conditions and imbalances.
Black maca root
Black maca root is the rarest form of maca and makes up only 10-15% of our entire harvest. It is considered very sacred and used only for the treatment of chronic health conditions. Energetically black maca symbolises our bodys external (masculine) energy that strengthens, invigorates, provides vitality and direction. Through nourishing the external energy it offers benefits for those with brain fog, poor memory, low energy, depression, poor stamina and specifically can enhance male fertility, sexual function, and libido.
Black maca root takes care of our entire outer being and nourishes our masculine (yang) energy. In Peru we say that black maca is just like a strong and uplifting hug from your dad. Our scientific studies of black maca have shown the root contains the highest levels of total bioactive macamides compared to the other colours with some unique molecules that have the ability to activate energetic and neural pathways in the nervous system, enhancing our muscle and brain function. Black maca is ideal for use by both men and women and we recommend it for more chronic or acute conditions and imbalances.
"Each person, male or female, is composed of two energies: feminine and masculine. In fact, during the day, depending on the environment and the situation you face, you will be using one or another energy without realizing it. Finding the balance of your energies is the key to improving your health". - Sally Huapaya (co-director and maca expert)
Black maca root takes care of our entire outer being and nourishes our masculine (yang) energy. In Peru we say that black maca is just like a strong and uplifting hug from your dad. Our scientific studies of black maca have shown the root contains the highest levels of total bioactive macamides compared to the other colours with some unique molecules that have the ability to activate energetic and neural pathways in the nervous system, enhancing our muscle and brain function. Black maca is ideal for use by both men and women and we recommend it for more chronic or acute conditions and imbalances.
"Each person, male or female, is composed of two energies: feminine and masculine. In fact, during the day, depending on the environment and the situation you face, you will be using one or another energy without realizing it. Finding the balance of your energies is the key to improving your health". - Sally Huapaya (co-director and maca expert)
Fundamental properties of the colours of maca
Red maca vs black maca
Both red and black maca are the rarer forms of the root and have been used more for addressing chronic health issues as they possess superior therapeutic properties over yellow maca. Red maca builds internal energy and black maca builds external energy. See the chart below to identify which symptoms require which maca colour to assist you with selecting the right maca for your own constitution and health condition.
Option 1 - Taking all 3 colours of maca root
It is not as simple as women take only red maca and men take only black maca as all three colours have unique benefits for both men and women. Both men and women require the balance of both masculine and feminine energy, yin and yang. The traditional way to do this is to combine the colours in different ratios to effect the best properties of each colour and create blends that are more therapeutic and harmonising.
From understanding the sacred traditions of maca, the energetics of each colour, the traditional uses, root preparation and the needs of women and men we have formulated perfect coloured blends for each. The maca for women and maca for men blends combine the best of the colours and are for daily use to optimize and balance male or female endocrine function to treat more complex health conditions. They are an all-in-one customised treatment designed specifically for your health needs. Ideally, they should be taken daily for a minimum of 6-12 weeks to provide benefit depending on the condition being treated.
From understanding the sacred traditions of maca, the energetics of each colour, the traditional uses, root preparation and the needs of women and men we have formulated perfect coloured blends for each. The maca for women and maca for men blends combine the best of the colours and are for daily use to optimize and balance male or female endocrine function to treat more complex health conditions. They are an all-in-one customised treatment designed specifically for your health needs. Ideally, they should be taken daily for a minimum of 6-12 weeks to provide benefit depending on the condition being treated.
Option 2 - Concentrated red and black maca
The short answer to this is yes, you can combine the pure concentrated forms of the roots to get the benefits of both. Traditionally in Peru maca is often macerated in plant-based alcohols and water, then concentrated to produce more potent forms of maca tonics known as 'macerados' or concentrated maca. To replicate this we follow ancient traditions and macerate our pure maca roots to extract and enhance the bioactive components then spray dry it into a potent concentrated powder (10:1). For every 10kg of fresh maca that is sun-dried and concentrated, we only produce 400g of this specialized maca extract. Our concentrated maca powder comes in pure sacred colors – red maca or black maca as a fine powder that can be diluted into water to consume.
Concentrated maca can be taken as a single colour for specific health conditions or the red and black can be combined in different ratios depending on what you are trying to treat. It is ideal for the acute treatment of symptoms associated with PMS, anxiety, migraine, pain, fatigue, brain fog, and sexual function, for which it can be taken on days when symptoms are worse. Or it can be used daily to manage chronic conditions like various neurological disorders, severe hormonal imbalances, severe menopausal symptoms, chronic anxiety, autoimmune conditions, prostate inflammation, and chronic fatigue. The dose and type of concentrated maca to be used depending on the condition being treated.
Concentrated maca can be taken as a single colour for specific health conditions or the red and black can be combined in different ratios depending on what you are trying to treat. It is ideal for the acute treatment of symptoms associated with PMS, anxiety, migraine, pain, fatigue, brain fog, and sexual function, for which it can be taken on days when symptoms are worse. Or it can be used daily to manage chronic conditions like various neurological disorders, severe hormonal imbalances, severe menopausal symptoms, chronic anxiety, autoimmune conditions, prostate inflammation, and chronic fatigue. The dose and type of concentrated maca to be used depending on the condition being treated.