Meta Information
ID:maca-root
Name:
Schema Version:2.4_uniform_evidence_2026_06_18
Created
2026-05-21T22:30:00Z
Model
phase-a-upgrade-claude-sonnet-4.6
Interactions
Target id:
/condition/hormone-sensitive-cancers-and-conditions
Target name:
Hormone-Sensitive Cancers & Conditions
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Maca may exhibit estrogen-like activity, which could potentially stimulate the growth of hormone-sensitive tissues or cancers (e.g., breast, uterine, ovarian cancer; endometriosis).
Actionable advice:
Maca should be avoided completely with a history of hormone-sensitive cancers or conditions.
Validation status:
validated_via_clinical_guidance
Evidence tier:
tier_b
Evidence basis:
clinical_guidance_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Exact phrase from label:
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have hormone-sensitive cancer, such as breast or uterine cancer. Maca may affect your treatment. In vitro, both methanolic and aqueous extracts of maca exhibit estrogenic activity.
Label source:
Clinical guidance: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — Maca integrative medicine monograph
Action type:
avoid
Target id:
/condition/pregnancy
Target name:
Pregnancy
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Due to a lack of safety data and potential hormonal effects, the impact of Maca on fetal development is unknown.
Actionable advice:
Maca should not be used at all during pregnancy.
Validation status:
anecdotal
Evidence tier:
tier_d
Evidence basis:
anecdotal_summary
Evidence anchors:
Exact phrase from label:
It is not known if or how maca could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus.
Label source:
Anecdotal: WebMD
Action type:
avoid
Target id:
/condition/lactation
Target name:
Breastfeeding (Lactation)
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
It is unknown if components of Maca pass into breast milk or what effects they might have on a nursing infant.
Actionable advice:
Maca should not be used at all while breastfeeding.
Validation status:
anecdotal
Evidence tier:
tier_d
Evidence basis:
anecdotal_summary
Evidence anchors:
Exact phrase from label:
It is not known if maca passes into breast milk.
Label source:
Anecdotal: WebMD
Action type:
avoid
Target id:
/condition/thyroid-disorders
Target name:
Thyroid Disorders
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
As a cruciferous vegetable, Maca contains goitrogens, which can interfere with thyroid hormone synthesis, particularly in individuals with iodine deficiency or pre-existing hypothyroidism.
Actionable advice:
This is best used with caution in those with a thyroid condition, ensuring adequate iodine intake.
Validation status:
validated_via_primary_literature
Evidence tier:
tier_b
Evidence basis:
primary_literature_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Exact phrase from label:
Maca is a type of cruciferous vegetable in the Brassica family. Maca contains compounds called goitrogens. Goitrogens are substances that can, in theory, interfere with the thyroid's ability to take up iodine.
Label source:
Primary literature: https://bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk/blogs/thyroid-health/is-maca-good-for-thyroid-health-a-balanced-perspective
Action type:
informational_none
Target id:
/class/antihypertensives
Target name:
Antihypertensive Medications
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Some evidence suggests Maca may lower blood pressure, potentially leading to an additive effect when combined with antihypertensive drugs, increasing the risk of hypotension (low blood pressure).
Actionable advice:
Blood pressure should be monitored closely if combining Maca with blood pressure-lowering medication.
Validation status:
validated_via_primary_literature
Evidence tier:
tier_b
Evidence basis:
primary_literature_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
significant decreases in diastolic blood pressure and depression were apparent after Maca treatment.
Label source:
Primary literature: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24931003/
Action type:
monitor
Target id:
/class/estrogens
Target name:
Estrogens and Progestins (Hormonal Therapy & Contraceptives)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Maca's potential estrogenic effects could interfere with the intended action of hormonal therapies or contraceptives, though the clinical significance is not fully established.
Actionable advice:
It is important to talk to a doctor before combining Maca with any form of hormonal therapy.
Validation status:
validated_via_fda_label
Evidence tier:
tier_a
Evidence basis:
fda_label_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
2.3 Image Image Image Image
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 12.1 Mechanism of Action NGMN is the active progestin largely responsible for the progestational activity that occurs in women following application of norelgestromin and ethinyl estradiol transdermal system.
Label source:
Action type:
informational_none
Target id:
/circadian/sleep
Target name:
Going to Sleep
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
6
Hours after target:
null
Description:
Maca is often reported to have an energizing or stimulating effect in some individuals, which could potentially interfere with sleep onset.
Actionable advice:
Maca is generally best taken in the morning or early afternoon to prevent potential sleep disturbances.
Validation status:
validated_via_primary_literature
Evidence tier:
tier_b
Evidence basis:
primary_literature_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Exact phrase from label:
While maca is advertised as a natural, safe stimulant, there is still a lack of empirical evidence of its alleged safety. Stimulant substances are known to frequently bring about unwanted side effects, such as mood alterations and severe sleep impairment.
Label source:
Primary literature: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11214369/
Action type:
informational_none
Target id:
/class/anticoagulants-antiplatelets
Target name:
Anticoagulants and Antiplatelets
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Maca contains vitamin K, which plays a role in blood clotting. High doses could theoretically reduce the effectiveness of anticoagulant medications like warfarin.
Actionable advice:
It is a good idea to talk to a doctor before using Maca while taking blood-thinning medication.
Validation status:
validated_via_fda_label
Evidence tier:
tier_a
Evidence basis:
fda_label_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
6 Aluminum Lake
10 mg: Dye-free
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
12.1 Mechanism of Action
Warfarin acts by inhibiting the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, which include
Factors II, VII, IX, and X, and the anticoagulant proteins C and S.
Label source:
Action type:
informational_none
Target id:
/condition/hepatic-impairment
Target name:
Hepatic Impairment
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
The metabolism and safety of many herbal supplements, including Maca, have not been formally studied in people with liver disease.
Actionable advice:
Consulting a healthcare provider before using Maca may help for those with a known liver condition.
Validation status:
validated_via_pubmed
Evidence tier:
tier_b
Evidence basis:
pubmed_abstract_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
The consumption of botanical dietary supplements (BDS) is a common practice among the US population. However, the potential for botanical-drug interactions exists, and their mechanisms have not been thoroughly studied.
Label source:
PubMed: Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (2019)
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
There are however no published data on their toxicity and safety in humans.
Label source:
PubMed: Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association (2008)
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Evaluation of abnormal liver tests includes history taking with attention to metabolic risk factors, alcohol, medications, and herbal/dietary supplements, followed by an examination, to determine the etiology of liver injury, acuity of illness, and presence of complications.
Label source:
PubMed: Gastroenterology (2026)
Action type:
informational_none