Suma is a large, shrubby ground vine with an intricate, deep and extensive root system. It is indigenous to the Amazon basin and other tropical parts of Brazil, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Venezuela.

In South America, suma is known as para toda, which means “for all things” and also as Brazilian ginseng, since it is widely used as an adaptogen with many applications, much as “regular” ginseng. The indigenous people of the Amazon region have used suma root for generations for a wide variety of health purposes, including as a general tonic; as an energy, rejuvenating and sexual tonic and as a general panacea for many types of illnesses. Suma has also served as an aphrodisiac, a calming agent and to treat ulcers for at least 300 years. It is an important herb remedy in the folk medicine of several rainforest Indian tribes today.

In herbal medicine throughout the world today, suma is considered a tonic and adaptogen. The herbal definition of an adaptogen is a plant that increases the body's resistance to adverse influences by a wide range of physical, chemical and biochemical factors and has a normalizing or restorative effect on the body as a whole. In modern Brazilian herbal medicine practises, suma root is employed as a cellular oxygenator and taken to stimulate appetite and circulation, increase estrogen production, balance blood sugar levels, enhance the immune system, strengthen the muscular system and enhance memory.

In North American herbal medicine, suma root is used as an adaptogenic and regenerative tonic regulating many systems of the body; as an immunostimulant; to treat exhaustion and chronic fatigue, impotence, arthritis, anemia, diabetes, cancer, tumors, mononucleosis, high blood pressure, PMS, menopause and hormonal disorders and may types of stress. In herbal medicine in Ecuador today, suma is considered a tonic and “normalizer” for the cardiovascular system, the central nervous system, the reproductive system and the digestive system; it is used to treat hormonal disorders, sexual dysfuntion and sterility, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, circulatory and digestive disorders, rheumatism and bronchitis. In Europe it is chosen as a herbal medicine to restore nerve and glandular functions, to balance the endocrine system, to strengthen the immune system, for infertility, menopausal and menstrual symptoms, to minimize the side effetcs of birth control medications, for high cholesterol, to neutralize toxins and as a general restorative tonic after illness.

Nutritionally, suma root contains 19 different amino acids, a large number of electrolytes, trace minerals, iron, magneseium, zinc, vitamins A, B1, B2, E, K and pantothenic acid. Its high germanium content accounts for its oxygenator properties at the cellular level and high iron contain may have been to treat anemia.

Suma has been characterized as “the Russian secret”, as it has been taken by Russian Olympic athletes for many years and has been reported to increase muscle-building and endurance without the side effects associated with steroids.

Suma is very rich in saponin content, a phytochemical known to have a wide spectrum of activities including lowering blood cholesterol, inhibiting cancer cell growth and acting as antifungal and antibacterial agent. Saponins are also known as natural detergent and foaming agents.

Safety Profile:

Although a very potent herb and truly a panacea, there are some safety measurements that have to be followed when using suma root.

The plant has been found to contain a significant amount of plant sterols that might have estrogenic properties or activities and can cause an increase in estrogen production as this plant has been traditionally used to regulate menstrual processes, as well as to treat menopause, PMS and other hormonal disorders.

This is to inform you that we are not doctors. What is written above has a simple character and in no way replaces medical application. Always consult your doctor about your health issues.