Suma herb extract health benefit supplement product by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
September 17 2016

Suma herb is the dried root of a ground vine that grows in tropical rain forests of South America. It was introduced to this country as "Brazilian Ginseng" in order to capitalize on ginseng’s reputation. Suma is known as Para Toda which means "for all things," since the indigenous peoples of the Amazon region have used the root of suma for generations as an energy and rejuvenating tonic as well as a general cure-all for many types of illnesses. It has also been used as an aphrodisiac. Taking a suma tablet daily does enhance energy levels.

Cancer role studies
In laboratory studies, substances in the roots and/or its extracts have shown anti-neoplastic, chemopreventive, and anti-angiogenic properties.

2010 email - I was watching the Dr Oz show on December 6th, 2010: Suma Fights Cancer. Dr Oz said that suma is a shrubby vine with a huge root system found in Brazil and it may help to prevent cancer. He said it is being studied by Japanese researchers for its ability to fight cancer. Dr Oz explained that suma releases chemicals that shutdown cancer cells and stops them from growing.
   Much more studies need to be done to determine the role this herb plays in cancer prevention or treatment. Rodent and laboratory studies indicate that suma herb inhibits the growth of leukemia, stimulates the immune system, and has a beneficial effect on sickle cell disease. Whether these findings will be found to be true in humans is yet to be determined.

Breast cancer
Cytotoxic effects of butanolic extract from Pfaffia paniculata (Brazilian ginseng) on cultured human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Department of Pathology, University of Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil. Exp Toxicol Pathol. 2009.

Blood vessel formation
Pfaffia paniculata methanolic extract reduces angiogenesis in mice. Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechny, University of São Paulo, Brazil. Exp Toxicol Pathol. 2007.

Liver cancer
Inhibitory effects of Pfaffia paniculata (Brazilian ginseng) on preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions in a mouse hepatocarcinogenesis model. Cancer Letters. 2005.

Effect of Pfaffia paniculata on the Ehrlich tumor in its ascitic form.
Life Sci. 2003.
The roots of suma (Brazilian ginseng) have been indicated for the treatment of several diseases, among which the cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate experimentally the possible antineoplastic effect of the suma root. Firstly, a toxicity study was performed in which the doses of 400 and 200 mg/Kg of the powdered suma root were administered by gavage for 10 days to mice. The mice did not lose weight during the treatment. No increase in serum alanine-aminotransferase neither histopathological alteration (liver, kidney and spleen) was observed in mice treated with suma. The effect of this root on the ascitic Ehrlich tumor in BALB/cICB mice was then investigated. Male mice received, by gavage, once a day, 200 mg/Kg of the powdered root of suma or distilled water, as control, for 20 days. This protocol started 10 days before tumor inoculation and lasted until 10 days after. A decrease in the total ascitic volume was observed in treated mice, that was followed by a numerical decrease in the total number of Ehrlich tumor cells. These results may indicate that suma anti-inflammatory effects were responsible by the decrease in the total ascitic fluid. In addition, the presence of tumor-cell inhibitory factors in suma roots is in agreement with other in vitro studies. The mechanisms of such tumor inhibition should be further investigated.

Sickle cell
Br J Haematol. 2000. Hydration of sickle erythrocytes using a herbal extract (Pfaffia paniculata) in vitro. Pfaffia paniculata (PP) is a perennial wild plant that grows in South America. Its root powder has been used by South American Indians for a variety of ailments and has been reported to have a salutary effect on sickle cell disease in Brazil. Its mechanism of action, however, is unknown. In this report, we present experimental data showing that PP improves the deformability of sickle cells, increases their Na+ content and their mean corpuscular volume (MCV). These findings indicate that PP functions as a sodium ionophore on sickle cells and improves their hydration status and rheological properties.

Clin Hemorheol Microcirc. 2015. Pfaffia Paniculata extract improves red blood cell deformability in sickle cell patients.

The potent herbs in this potent aphrodisiac formula include ashwagandha extract, Catuaba herb, Cistanches, Cnidium extract, horny goat weed extract with icariin, Maca herb, Passion flower, Mucuna Pruriens, Muira Puama herb, Rhodiola, Shilajit, Suma, Tribulus, and Tongkat ali.

Another version of Passion Rx is available without yohimbe.

Breast cancer
Exp Toxicol Pathol. 2009. Cytotoxic effects of butanolic extract from Pfaffia paniculata (Brazilian ginseng) on cultured human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Roots of Pfaffia paniculata have been well documented for multifarious therapeutic values and have also been used for cancer therapy in folk medicine. This study has been performed in a human breast tumor cell line, the MCF-7 cells. These are the most commonly used model of estrogen-positive breast cancer, and it has been originally established in 1973 at the Michigan Cancer Foundation from a pleural effusion taken from a woman with metastatic breast cancer. Butanolic extract of the roots of P. paniculata showed cytotoxic effect MCF-7 cell line, as determined with crystal violet assay, cellular death with acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining, and cell proliferation with immunocytochemistry of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). Subcellular alterations were evaluated by electron microscopy. Cells treated with butanolic extract showed degeneration of cytoplasmic components and profound morphological and nuclear alterations. The results show that this butanolic extract indeed presents cytotoxic substances, and its fractions merit further investigations.

What does it contain?
The root of suma contains saponins including a group of novel chemicals called pfaffosides, as well as two types of phytosteroids, beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol along with glycosides, nortriperpenes and beta-ecdysones. One study in rodents hints that suma raises levels of certain hormones. Additional substances include nortriterpenoids, pfaffine A and B (1- 2).

Suma side effects and cautions
Suma herb has not been associated with any serious adverse reactions. However, comprehensive safety studies have not been undertaken with this herbal product.

Research studies
Pfaffia paniculata induced changes in plasma estradiol-17beta, progesterone and testosterone levels in mice.
J Reprod Dev. 2003.
The present study undertook chemical analysis of components of Pfaffia paniculata roots ( suma herb ). In addition, an animal experiment was conducted in which mice had ad libitum access to water enriched with powdered suma root for 30 days. Changes in plasma concentrations of estradiol-17beta and progesterone in female mice and of testosterone in male mice were ascertained. The results revealed that suma roots contain two types of phytosteroids, beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol, in addition to other compounds such as pfaffic acid, allantoin, saponins, beta-sitosteryl-beta-D-glucoside, and stigmasteryl-beta-D-glucoside. Regarding changes in plasma concentrations of hormones, levels of the sex hormones estradiol-17beta, progesterone and testosterone were clearly higher for mice that drank suma root enriched water than for mice that drank plain water. Powdered suma root is easily dissolved in feed or water, and as no adverse reactions were seen in mice within 30 days of oral intake, consumption of suma root for long periods of time appears safe.

Supplement Facts:
Vitamin C - (Ascorbic acid)
Citrus bioflavonoids (eriocitrin, hesperidin, flavonols, flavones, flavonoids, naringenin, and quercetin)
Mixed carotenoids (alpha carotene, astaxanthin, cryptoxanthin, beta carotene, lutein, Lycopene, and Zeaxanthin)
Bilberry extract (Vaccinium myrtillus)
Eyebright extract (Euphrasia officianales)
Jujube extract (Zizyphus jujube)
Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo biloba)
Suma extract (Pfaffia paniculata)
Mucuna pruriens extract
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
Lycium berry extract (Lycium Barbarum)  or Goji Berry
Alpha Lipoic Acid antioxidant

Emails
Q. The combination of maca herb and suma supplements helped me get through menopause. I feel great, I am 51 and postmenopausal, these herbs gave me my life back.
   Q. I am having a real problem trying to decide how to buy suma root. Every company I contact is telling me that theirs is best. Do I buy a powder from Rain Tree that says their powder is pure but cant tell me how many mg are in one teaspoon. Another company has it in liquid form with alcohol and one without alcohol. The one without alcohol is saying 1 drop is equal to 2000 mg. Another one with alcohol is saying that maybe 30 drops is equal to 2500 mg. I am trying to use it with my bodybuilding supplements to use as a an anabolic boost. I was hoping you could tell me which way to go and which will give me 2500 mg a day. I am totally confused.
   A. There is little research with suma supplement to know which is best. One option is to take a 500 mg suma supplement for a few days and then increase the dosage or decrease it based on how you feel. Until one tries different dosages and different products, it is difficult to guess which dosage, form, or product will work best.

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Source Naturals
Buy Suma supplement, 500 mg
Suma herb is a member of the amaranth family and has been used for centuries among the native people of Brazil as a herb that provides more energy. Suma roots contain the important biological constituents pfaffic acid and pfaffosides.

Supplement Facts:
Amount Per 2 tablets:
Suma Root (Pfaffia paniculata) - 1,000 mg

Suggested Use: 1 suma tablet in the morning.