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| For Overall Health |
| Suma acts like a true adaptogen, helping the body cope with emotional and physical stress. Suma also supports immunefunctions. (Sumacazon, Illumination and Lunazon) |
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| For Physical Stamina |
| Suma contains plant hormones which promote physical stamina. (Sumacazon, Illumination and Lunazon) |
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| For Hormonal Support |
| Suma contains natural plant hormones that balance the female hormonal system. (Sumacazon, Illumination and Lunazon) |
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Pfaffia paniculata is a large, shrubby ground vine that has an intricate and deep root system. The root resembles ginseng, hence its name Brazilian ginseng. Suma grows in the Amazon Basin, more specifically in the tropical parts of Brazil, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay, and Peru. It is also endemic to Venezuela. Although historically harvested wild, like maca,
suma has been domesticated and farmed for quite some time.
Traditionally suma has been used as a food that provided physical stamina and endurance. It has also been used for centuries by South American Natives for wounds, skin rashes, low energy and to enhance sexual energy. The benefits of suma were such that the indigenous people of the jungle call it "para todo," a Spanish word that means "for all things."
Indeed, suma was often added to all kinds of medicinal formulas for its enhancing and adaptogenic properties. Suma seems to enhance the effect of other herbs. Aside from its physical resemblance to ginseng, suma also acts as a true adaptogen. An adaptogen is a product that provides an increased resistance to stress while having regenerative properties. It is probably for this reason that, intuitively the indigenes of South America included suma as part of their regular diet. Because of its taste that resembles vanilla, suma was used as a tea decoction or the root powder was sprinkled on fruits or in beverages.
In the Western world, suma is used as a tonic for the cardiovascular system, the central nervous system, the reproductive system, and the digestive system. It is used to alleviate certain hormonal disorders and the symptoms of menopause. These applications have been for the most part confirmed by science. For example, a series of natural hormone-like compounds
have been isolated from suma, namely sitosterol, stigmasterol, and beta-ecdysterone. While the former compounds play a role in balancing the female hormonal system, beta-ecdysterone has anabolic properties, which means that it has muscle-building properties. Suma was widely used by Russian athletes in the 1970s. Suma root also contains saponins (nortriterpenoid and pfaffosides) which have been shown to be beneficial off setting abnormal cellular growth, as well as to help regulate blood sugar levels and blood pressure.
Finally, the nutritional properties of suma as a food have also been confirmed. Researchers have identified in suma root almost all the amino acids, many trace minerals such as iron, magnesium, cobalt, silica and zinc, as well as vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, and E. It contains high amounts of the trace element germanium, which is a powerful immune stimulator.
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