Double Wood Supplements Maca Root 1000mg is the best maca supplement available on Amazon Australia — $32 for 300 capsules gives a 150-day supply at the 2-capsule clinical dose, better value than any comparable AU-listed option. The case for maca is modest but real: Gonzales GF et al. (2002, Asian Journal of Andrology) found meaningful libido improvement at 8–12 weeks in 57 men (p=0.05) compared to placebo; Brooks NA et al. (2008, Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy) found 3.5 g/day improved SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction in a 20-person pilot. Stone M et al. (2009, Journal of Ethnopharmacology) demonstrated fatigue and memory benefits for black maca specifically in animal models. Critical caveat: human evidence is preliminary and limited to specific doses and durations. Maca is a root vegetable, not a pharmaceutical compound — it is generally well tolerated but benefits are incremental and unlikely to match marketed claims. Expect weeks, not days, for any noticeable effect.
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Review status: This article is evidence-based, drawing on brand specifications, published clinical research, and verified Amazon AU listing data.
Products Reviewed
Double Wood Supplements Maca Root 1000mg
Double Wood Supplements Maca Root 1000mg
What it claims:
Supports energy, endurance, and libido. Maca root has been used for centuries in the Peruvian Andes for vitality and reproductive health.
What the evidence says:
Gonzales GF et al. (2002, Asian J Androl) — Lepidium meyenii 1.5g or 3g/day vs placebo, n=57 men, 12 weeks, double-blind RCT. Subjective sexual desire improved at 8 and 12 weeks (p=0.05), independent of testosterone or oestradiol changes. Brooks NA et al. (2008, J Sex Marital Ther) — Maca 3.5g/day, n=20 SSRI users, pilot crossover. Global sexual dysfunction scores improved. Stone M et al. (2009, J Ethnopharmacol) — Black maca specifically improved fatigue and memory in rodent models; dose-dependent results. Gonzales GF (2012, eCAM) reviewed 4 RCTs; consistent but modest effects on subjective sexual function.
scored
The only verified-available maca on Amazon AU at the clinically studied dose — 300 capsules at $32 is exceptional value against imported alternatives.
Double Wood Supplements Maca Root 1000mg
- 1000mg maca root per capsule — 2 capsules/day matches the 2g dose studied by Gonzales 2002
- $32 AUD for 300 capsules = 150-day supply at 2 capsules/day, under $0.22/day
- No proprietary blend — straightforward root powder with no fillers disclosed in listing
- Amazon AU stock confirmed — ships without customs delays common to iHerb alternatives
- Gelatinised form noted in product details — typically easier on digestion than raw maca powder
- Best per-serve cost of any verified-available AU maca listing — under $0.22/day at 2g dose
- Matches the 1–3g daily dose range used in Gonzales 2002 and Brooks 2008 trials
- Gelatinised — standard processing step that improves starch digestibility
- No proprietary blend obscuring active dose
- 300-count pack supports a full 20-week trial without reordering
- Human evidence for maca is still preliminary — no large-scale RCT with definitive findings
- No standardised rosavins or salidroside equivalent for maca — no extract standardisation marker disclosed
- Yellow maca only — not the black maca variant used in Stone 2009 fatigue and memory study
- Benefits require 4–12 weeks of consistent use — not suited to short-term supplementation
We've researched this product using publicly available brand specifications, published research on its active ingredients, and verified Amazon AU listing data. Physical testing is in progress and scored criteria will follow.
Score pending · Research-based analysis.
| Factor | Product | Dose per serve | Price (AU) | Serves | Cost/day | Extract type | Key evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double Wood Maca Root 1000mg | Double Wood Maca Root 1000mg | 1000mg | $32 | 300 caps / 150 days @ 2/day | $0.21 | Gelatinised root | Gonzales 2002 (n=57) |
| iHerb: California Gold Nutrition Rhodiola | iHerb: California Gold Rhodiola | 500mg | AU$37 + shipping | 60 caps / 30 days | $1.23+ | 3% rosavins | Ishaque S 2012 (n=100) |
| iHerb: NOW Foods Rhodiola 500mg 60ct | iHerb: NOW Foods Rhodiola 60ct | 500mg | AU$40 + shipping | 60 caps / 60 days @ 1/day | $0.67+ | 3% rosavins, 1% salidroside | Darbinyan V 2000 (pilots) |
What the Evidence Actually Shows for Maca
Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a root vegetable native to the Peruvian Andes, consumed as food and medicine for centuries. In a modern supplement context, it is marketed primarily for libido, energy, and fertility — three claims with varying levels of human trial evidence.
The libido evidence is the strongest. Gonzales GF et al. (2002, Asian Journal of Andrology) ran the most-cited human trial: 57 men received 1.5g maca, 3g maca, or placebo for 12 weeks in a double-blind design. Subjective sexual desire scores improved at both 8 and 12 weeks in the maca arms versus placebo (p=0.05), and crucially, this improvement was independent of serum testosterone and oestradiol changes. The effect exists but the mechanism is not hormonal.
The SSRI sexual dysfunction finding is also notable. Brooks NA et al. (2008, Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy) found that 3.5g/day of maca over 12 weeks improved global sexual dysfunction scores in 20 adults experiencing SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction. The sample is small and the design is a pilot — but if you are on antidepressants and experiencing sexual side effects, this is a studied use case worth discussing with your GP.
Energy and cognitive effects are less certain. Stone M et al. (2009) demonstrated dose-dependent fatigue and memory improvements with black maca in animal models — but human trials for these outcomes are sparse. Treating maca as an energy supplement based primarily on animal data is premature.
How to Choose the Right Maca Supplement in Australia
The primary buying decision for maca is dose per serve and cost per serve — not branded extract type. Unlike ashwagandha (where KSM-66 vs Sensoril designation matters clinically), most maca research used gelatinised yellow maca root powder without a proprietary extract name. This makes dosing and price the key filters.
Target 1.5–3g per day. Most capsule products are 500mg or 1000mg each, so you need 2–3 per day from a 1000mg product to reach the Gonzales study dose. Double Wood's 1000mg capsules at $32/300 count hit this dose range at the lowest per-serve cost of any verified AU-listed option.
Prefer gelatinised over raw maca powder. Gelatinisation removes the starch content, which can cause digestive discomfort in raw form. It does not meaningfully change the bioactive alkaloid and glucosinolate content.
Ignore colour claims unless you are specifically targeting cognitive function. Yellow maca is the form used in human libido trials. Black maca is what Stone 2009 used for cognitive and fatigue outcomes. Red maca is studied primarily for prostate health in rodent models. Most products do not specify colour — assume yellow unless stated otherwise.
5-Year Cost of Ownership: Maca vs Premium Adaptogens
At 2 capsules per day from Double Wood Maca Root 1000mg ($32/300ct), your annual cost is approximately $87 AUD — one pack every 5 months. Over 5 years that is $435. Compare this to KSM-66 ashwagandha at similar dosing: Blackmores Ashwagandha+ at $15/60ct needs 2 per day = 30-day supply = $180/year = $900 over 5 years.
Maca is not a premium adaptogen. It is a food-origin root vegetable grown at scale. This is reflected in the price — but also in the evidence depth. If your priority is stress cortisol reduction with strong RCT support, ashwagandha offers better evidence at higher cost. If your priority is libido support or SSRI sexual dysfunction with modest but real evidence at low cost, maca is the more economical trial.
There is no meaningful reason to stack maca and ashwagandha for most users. They address different outcomes through different mechanisms. Choose based on the specific goal.
Who Should Buy What
| Your situation | Best pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| If you want the most evidence-matched maca at lowest AU price | Double Wood Maca Root 1000mgBest fit | Confirmed AU stock, $32/300ct = 150-day supply at clinical dose — best per-serve value on Amazon AU |
| If you experience SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction | Double Wood Maca Root 1000mg | Brooks 2008 used 3.5g/day — achievable at 3–4 capsules/day from this product. Discuss with prescribing GP first |
| If you want an adaptogen for stress cortisol reduction | Consider ashwagandha instead | Maca has no meaningful cortisol evidence. KSM-66 ashwagandha has strong RCT data for cortisol and stress. Wrong tool for this goal. |
| If you specifically want black maca for cognitive/energy effects | Source black maca specifically (not available on Amazon AU) | Stone 2009 found effects specific to black maca. Most commercial products are yellow. Check iHerb for colour-specific products. |
| If you are postmenopausal and targeting symptom relief | Double Wood Maca Root 1000mg (discuss with GP first) | Meissner 2006 found pre-gelatinised maca reduced hot flash frequency. This is the gelatinised form. Consult GP before use for hormone-sensitive conditions. |
| If you want an adaptogen with the strongest overall evidence base | Consider ashwagandha (KSM-66) over maca | Maca's evidence is real but narrower and more preliminary than ashwagandha. If you want certainty, the KSM-66 literature is deeper. |
| If you are on a tight budget and want to trial a supplement for libido | Double Wood Maca Root 1000mg | At under $0.22/day it is one of the cheapest evidence-backed supplements in this category. Low financial risk for an 8-week trial. |
| If you want the longest possible supply at the lowest frequency of reordering | Double Wood Maca Root 1000mg | 300 capsules = 5 months at 2/day. One order covers a full clinical trial period without reordering. |
Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsWhat is the recommended maca dosage?
The most-studied dose is 1.5–3g per day, typically taken as 2–3 capsules of 1000mg each. Gonzales GF et al. (2002) used 1.5g and 3g arms in their 12-week trial. Both showed libido improvement versus placebo. There is no established upper dose from safety trials, but most commercial products are formulated around the 2g/day mark. Take with food to minimise the mild digestive discomfort some users report.
How long does maca take to work?
Expect 4–8 weeks minimum before assessing effect. The Gonzales 2002 trial showed significant libido improvement at 8 and 12 weeks, not earlier. Brooks 2008 (SSRI sexual dysfunction) found benefits at 12 weeks. Maca is not an acute supplement — taking it for a week then stopping is not a valid trial. A minimum 8-week consistent protocol at 2g/day is needed to draw any conclusion about whether it is working for you.
Does maca affect hormone levels?
No — the Gonzales 2002 trial specifically found that libido improvement occurred without measurable changes in testosterone or oestradiol. This is a key finding: maca's effect on sexual function does not appear to operate through conventional hormonal pathways. The mechanism is not fully understood, but it is not an androgenic compound and should not raise testosterone. This makes it safer than hormone-affecting supplements but also means it lacks the direct mechanism of action that would predict stronger effects.
Is maca safe for women?
Maca is generally considered safe for women. It is not oestrogenic — it does not appear to directly raise oestrogen levels. Some researchers have investigated maca for postmenopausal women: Meissner HO et al. (2006, Int J Biomed Pharm Res) found pre-gelatinised maca reduced hot flash frequency in perimenopausal women versus placebo. However, women with hormone-sensitive conditions (breast cancer, fibroids, PCOS) should consult a GP before use. The evidence base for women is smaller than for men.
What is the difference between yellow, red, and black maca?
Yellow maca is the most common commercial form and the type used in most human libido trials. Red maca has been studied for prostate health in rodent models. Black maca is the variant studied for cognitive function and fatigue — Stone M et al. (2009) found dose-dependent effects on swimming endurance and memory specifically for black maca, not yellow. Most commercial maca supplements are yellow. If you are targeting energy and cognitive function, check that the product specifies colour; if libido is the focus, yellow is the most studied variant.
Can I take maca with other supplements?
Yes, maca is generally compatible with other supplements. There are no well-documented significant interactions with common supplements like ashwagandha, magnesium, or B vitamins. The Brooks 2008 SSRI sexual dysfunction trial is notable because participants were on antidepressants — suggesting maca may be compatible with prescription medications, but always disclose to your GP. Maca is a food-origin product (root vegetable) with a long history of dietary use, which lowers the theoretical interaction risk compared to pharmaceutical-grade botanicals.
Does maca help with fertility?
Animal models show some positive sperm motility results. Gonzales GF et al. (2001, Asian J Androl) found improved sperm motility and count in men after 4 months. The Gonzales 2002 trial found libido improvement, which is distinct from fertility. Human fertility RCT data is limited. Maca should not be used as a fertility treatment — it is not TGA-registered for that purpose and the evidence does not support that use. Anyone pursuing fertility treatment should work with a reproductive specialist, not rely on supplements.
Where can I buy maca supplement in Australia?
Double Wood Supplements Maca Root 1000mg is the best-value verified-available option on Amazon Australia at $32 for 300 capsules. iHerb AU stocks California Gold Nutrition Rhodiola and NOW Foods Rhodiola but factor in international shipping when comparing cost per serve. Chemist Warehouse occasionally stocks branded maca products at higher per-tablet prices. Amazon AU offers the best combination of verified availability, competitive pricing, and fast domestic delivery.
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