What not to take with maca root: A comprehensive safety guide

November 15, 2025 •

4 min read

While typically considered safe when consumed as food, concentrated maca root supplements require caution, especially due to potential interactions with medications and specific health conditions. Understanding what not to take with maca root is crucial for preventing adverse effects and ensuring your well-being.

Quick Summary

Guidance on critical contraindications for maca, including hormone-sensitive conditions, thyroid issues, and potential medication interactions, along with safety precautions.

Key Points

Hormone-Sensitive Conditions: Individuals with breast, ovarian, or uterine cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids should avoid maca due to its potential estrogenic effects.
Thyroid Issues: Those with thyroid problems, especially hypothyroidism, should avoid raw maca due to goitrogens. Gelatinized maca is a safer alternative, but a doctor's consultation is necessary.
Blood Thinners and Blood Pressure Medication: Maca may interfere with blood-thinning and blood pressure medications. Individuals on these drugs must consult a doctor and monitor their levels carefully.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Lack of safety data means maca should be avoided by pregnant and breastfeeding individuals as a precaution.
Hormonal Birth Control: Maca can influence hormone levels, potentially reducing the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives. Discuss with a doctor before combining.
Caffeine and Sleep: Since maca has stimulating effects, taking it with caffeine or too late in the day can lead to overstimulation or insomnia.

Critical Contraindications for Maca Root

For many, maca is a beneficial supplement, but certain health conditions and medications necessitate avoidance or extra caution. Before beginning any new supplement regimen, especially with potent herbs like maca, consulting a healthcare provider is vital.

Hormone-Sensitive Conditions

Maca's adaptogenic properties help balance hormone levels, which can be problematic for individuals with hormone-sensitive conditions. Because some maca extracts may act like estrogen, they can potentially worsen conditions that are affected by estrogen levels.

Conditions that require special caution or avoidance include:

Breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers: Estrogen-sensitive tumors could potentially be stimulated.
Endometriosis and uterine fibroids: These conditions are often dependent on estrogen levels, and maca's effects could pose a risk.

Thyroid Problems

Maca is a cruciferous vegetable, similar to broccoli and cauliflower. Raw maca contains goitrogens, substances that can interfere with normal thyroid function, particularly in individuals with an iodine deficiency.

For individuals with thyroid issues:

Raw Maca: Avoid raw maca supplements. In Peru, maca is traditionally cooked to deactivate goitrogenic enzymes.
Gelatinized Maca: This form has been pre-cooked, a process that removes the starch and deactivates goitrogens, making it a safer option for those with hypothyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism: Maca may stimulate the thyroid gland, making it best to avoid if you have an overactive thyroid.
Medication Monitoring: If you are on thyroid hormone replacement medication, regular monitoring of your thyroid levels is recommended, as maca could potentially alter your medication needs.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

The safety of maca during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been thoroughly studied. Given maca's potential to affect hormone levels, most experts advise caution and recommend against use during these periods. The lack of conclusive safety data means it's best to err on the side of caution and consult a doctor.

Potential Drug Interactions

Blood Thinners (Anticoagulants)

Some reports suggest that maca may interact with blood-thinning medications like warfarin. While the interaction isn't definitively proven to be significant, caution is advised. It's recommended to take maca and blood thinners at least 1-2 hours apart and to monitor your blood clotting parameters under a doctor's supervision.

Blood Pressure Medications

Maca has been shown to potentially lower blood pressure in some individuals. This can be a concern for those already taking antihypertensive medications, as the combined effect could lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Anyone on blood pressure medication should monitor their blood pressure closely and consult their doctor before adding maca to their regimen.

Hormonal Medications and Birth Control

Maca's influence on hormone levels raises concerns about potential interference with hormonal medications, including hormone replacement therapy and birth control pills. Since maca can affect levels of hormones like estrogen and progesterone, there is a theoretical risk of it impacting the efficacy of oral contraceptives. Consultation with a healthcare provider is essential.

Antidepressants

Maca may enhance the effects of certain antidepressants, particularly SSRIs. This could increase the risk of side effects or lead to a condition known as serotonin syndrome. Any individual taking antidepressants should consult with their doctor before using maca, as dosage adjustments may be necessary.

Comparison: Who Should Avoid Maca?


Condition/Circumstance	Reason for Caution/Avoidance	Recommended Action
Hormone-Sensitive Cancers	Potential estrogenic effects could stimulate tumor growth.	Avoid maca. Consult an oncologist.
Thyroid Problems (Raw Maca)	Goitrogens in raw maca can interfere with thyroid function.	Avoid raw maca. Consider gelatinized form after consulting a doctor.
Pregnancy / Breastfeeding	Insufficient safety data regarding effects on fetal and infant health.	Avoid maca supplements.
Blood Thinners	May interfere with anticoagulant medications.	Consult a doctor. Take doses hours apart and monitor blood work.
Blood Pressure Meds	Potential to lower blood pressure further, creating a dangerous effect.	Monitor blood pressure closely with a doctor.
Hormonal Contraceptives	Maca may affect hormone levels, potentially impacting efficacy.	Consult a doctor. Alternative birth control may be needed.

Lifestyle and Other Considerations

Raw vs. Gelatinized Maca

Choosing the right type of maca is crucial, especially for those with thyroid or digestive issues. Raw maca contains starches and goitrogens that can cause digestive upset and affect thyroid function. Gelatinized maca is heated to remove the starch and deactivate goitrogens, making it easier to digest and safer for those with thyroid concerns.

General Safety Precautions

In addition to medical interactions, certain lifestyle factors can affect your experience with maca:

Caffeine and other stimulants: Maca has energizing effects, so combining it with excessive caffeine or other stimulants may lead to overstimulation, jitters, or insomnia.
Timing: Due to its energizing properties, it is best to take maca earlier in the day to avoid disrupting sleep patterns.
Initial side effects: Some people may experience mild side effects like digestive issues, headaches, or moodiness when they first start taking maca. Starting with a low dose and gradually increasing it can help mitigate these symptoms.

Conclusion

While maca root is celebrated for its adaptogenic and hormonal balancing benefits, it is not suitable for everyone. Individuals with hormone-sensitive cancers, thyroid conditions, and those who are pregnant or breastfeeding should generally avoid it. For those on medications such as blood thinners, blood pressure medication, hormonal contraceptives, or antidepressants, consulting a healthcare professional is essential before beginning supplementation with maca. Being mindful of these critical interactions and choosing the right form of maca (like gelatinized over raw for thyroid issues) can ensure a safer and more positive experience. Always prioritize medical advice over supplement recommendations, and listen to your body's signals for the best health outcomes. For further information, consult trusted health resources like WebMD for guidance on various supplements.

Frequently Asked Questions

You should use caution when combining maca root with hormonal birth control. Maca can affect hormone levels, and there is concern that it could interfere with the effectiveness of your birth control. Always consult your healthcare provider before combining them.

Raw maca root contains goitrogens, which can interfere with thyroid function. If you have a thyroid condition, particularly hypothyroidism, you should avoid raw maca. Gelatinized maca is a safer option, but you should still consult your doctor, as maca could affect your thyroid medication.

No, you should avoid maca root if you have a hormone-sensitive condition like breast, ovarian, or uterine cancer. Some compounds in maca may act like estrogen and could potentially worsen these conditions.

Maca may have an effect on circulation and blood pressure, so it is important to be cautious if you are taking blood thinners like warfarin. It is best to consult a doctor and separate your doses by a few hours.

The safety of maca root during pregnancy has not been established due to a lack of research. It is generally recommended to avoid concentrated maca supplements while pregnant or breastfeeding as a precautionary measure.

Maca has the potential to lower blood pressure in some individuals, which can be dangerous if you are already on blood pressure medication. Monitor your blood pressure closely and consult your doctor before using maca.

For most people, gelatinized maca is the preferred option. The cooking process removes starch, making it easier to digest, and deactivates goitrogens, which is important for individuals with thyroid issues.