Is the hype around the reproductive health claims of maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) justified?

Abstract in brief

• The text explains that maca, a plant traditionally used in Peru for over 1300 years as food and medicine, has gained popularity worldwide since the late 1990s, especially in China, for its alleged reproductive health benefits like boosting libido and fertility.
• Although maca is promoted online as a remedy for issues like menopausal symptoms and erectile dysfunction, current scientific research, including animal studies and clinical trials, has not provided conclusive evidence to strongly support these health claims.
• The increase in demand has shifted maca cultivation from traditional methods in the Andes to large-scale production that involves fertilizers and pesticides, potentially affecting the plant’s quality, safety, and medicinal efficacy.