Is it Safe to Combine Ashwagandha and Maca? Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects

Can You Take Maca and Ashwagandha Together Safely?

Ashwagandha and maca are two of the most popular herbal supplements taken for health, vitality, and overall wellbeing. Both have been used medicinally for centuries to balance hormones, reduce stress, boost fertility and libido, and more.

With their overlapping benefits, many people wonder if you can safely take ashwagandha and maca together. Here’s an in-depth look at how these two herbs interact, their combined effects, and tips for taking them together correctly.

Ashwagandha Overview

Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb used in Ayurvedic medicine for over 3,000 years. The shrub’s berries and root powder contain active withanolides that are responsible for its medicinal effects.

Taking ashwagandha can:

• Alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression
• Boost mood, cognition, and memory
• Increase strength, endurance, and exercise capacity
• Balance thyroid and adrenal function
• Regulate blood sugar levels
• Improve male fertility and testosterone

Maca Overview

Maca is a Peruvian root vegetable rich in amino acids, phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Regularly consuming maca can:

• Enhance libido and sexual function
• Balance sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone
• Alleviate PMS, menopause, and menstrual discomfort
• Increase energy, athletic performance, and endurance
• Improve memory, learning, and focus
• Protect against chronic disease

Can You Take Maca and Ashwagandha Together?

Yes, you can absolutely take ashwagandha and maca together safely. Combining these two supplements is popular for enhancing the benefits of each.

Ashwagandha and maca both help manage cortisol. Taking them together can further reduce excess stress for even greater calm and clarity.

Stacking ashwagandha and maca also boosts libido and sexual function more than either supplement alone. The combo optimizes hormonal balance, blood flow, stamina, and performance.

In terms of cognitive benefits, the memory, learning, and concentration effects also become amplified when taking both ashwagandha and maca.

For athletes and active individuals, the strength, endurance, and exercise recovery benefits are greater with the combined supplementation compared to a single herb.

Furthermore, the antioxidant and immune-enhancing properties of both herbs allow them to provide more comprehensive anti-aging, disease prevention, and health protection together.

Benefits of Combining Ashwagandha and Maca

Here’s a closer look at some of the top benefits you can achieve by taking ashwagandha and maca together:

Enhanced Mood and Lower Stress

Ashwagandha and maca both help regulate key neurotransmitters and hormones involved in mood like serotonin, GABA, and cortisol. Combining them leads to even greater stress relief, relaxation, and mood enhancement.

Increased Libido and Sexual Function

These herbs each improve libido and sexual performance in both men and women. Stacked together, their effects on circulation, stamina, hormones, and arousal combine to further boost intimacy and bedroom satisfaction.

Better Hormonal Balance

For hormonal issues like irregular periods, PMS, menopause, low T, or infertility, these adaptogens balance hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and DHEA when used together.

More Energy and Athletic Performance

With their complete array of B vitamins, adaptogens, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatories, ashwagandha and maca enhance energy levels, workout capacity, speed, power, and muscle building.

Improved Focus and Mental Stamina

These herbs boost key brain chemicals like acetylcholine and GABA to heighten concentration, information retention, multitasking, and mental endurance when combined.

Greater Disease Protection

Thanks to their immune-strengthening nutrients and antioxidant content, ashwagandha and maca work together to better protect the body from illnesses, infections, and age-related chronic diseases.

How to Take Ashwagandha and Maca Together

If you want to start taking ashwagandha and maca supplements together, follow these tips for success:

Choose High Quality Supplements

Look for organic ashwagandha root powder or extract and maca root powder from reputable brands. This ensures maximum potency and purity.

Follow Serving Sizes

Follow dosage instructions carefully and don’t exceed. Typical doses are 300-500mg ashwagandha and 1-2g maca once or twice daily.

Take Them Consistently

These herbs work best when taken regularly. Use them daily for at least 2-3 months to experience the combined benefits.

Cycle Occasionally

To avoid tolerance, take a break from both supplements for a week every couple of months before resuming.

Time it Right

Take ashwagandha and maca together earlier in the day. Both may provide energizing effects that can disrupt sleep if taken too late.

Watch for Side Effects

These herbs are typically very safe but can cause mild stomach upset, dizziness, or headache in some. Reduce doses if any unwanted effects occur.

Talk to your doctor before combining ashwagandha, maca, or other supplements, especially if you take medication for a health condition.

Ashwagandha and Maca for Men vs Women

Men and women can both benefit from combining ashwagandha and maca. However, their effects may differ slightly between genders.

For Men

In men, ashwagandha boosts testosterone, strength, sexual vigor, and sperm quality. Maca also improves male libido, endurance, and fertility while balancing hormones like testosterone and DHEA.

Together, they enhance physical, sexual, and cognitive aspects of men’s health and performance. These effects can counteract symptoms of low T and age-related decline.

For Women

Ashwagandha helps women better manage stress, mood swings, menopause, and menstrual problems. Maca alleviates PMS, menopause, reproductive health issues, and balances female sex hormones.

The combination relieves anxiety and discomfort associated with hormonal changes while optimizing energy, libido, and wellbeing in women.

Precautions and Side Effects

Ashwagandha and maca are very safe and unlikely to cause side effects in most people. However, possible side effects can include:

• Mild stomach discomfort or diarrhea
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Irritability or restlessness
• Difficulty sleeping

More serious side effects are extremely rare, especially when taken under the supervision of a healthcare practitioner. Those with thyroid disorders should avoid ashwagandha unless approved by their doctor.

To minimize risk, start with lower doses of both ashwagandha and maca and increase slowly over time. Discontinue use if any unusual symptoms develop.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.