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

Suma  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
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 Lett. 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.   

What does suma herb research say?
 Few human studies with suma supplement (pfaffia paniculata) have been published in western medical journals. A rodent study provides a hint that suma does have sex-boosting potential. Sexually potent and sexually sluggish and impotent male rats were treated orally with different amounts of damiana and suma fluid extracts. While having no effect on the copulatory behavior of sexually potent rats, both suma and damiana extracts -- singly or in combination -- improved the copulatory performance of sexually sluggish / impotent rats. The researchers say: These results seem to support the folk reputation of damiana herb and suma herb as sexual stimulants." How suma herb works as a sex stimulant is currently not known.

Suma aphrodisiac benefit
Stimulating property of Turnera diffusa and Pfaffia paniculata extracts on the sexual-behavior of male rats.
Arletti R. ection of Pharmacology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Psychopharmacology 1999.
Sexually potent and sexually sluggish/impotent male rats were treated orally with different amounts of Turnera diffusa and suma fluid extracts. While having no effect on the copulatory behavior of sexually potent rats, both plant extracts--singly or in combination--improved the copulatory performance of sexually sluggish/impotent rats. The highest dose of either extract increased the percentage of rats achieving ejaculation and significantly reduced mount, intromission and ejaculation latencies, post-ejaculatory interval and intercopulatory interval. Neither extract affected locomotor activity. These results seem to support the folk reputation of suma and damiana as sexual stimulants.

The potent herbs in this potent aphrodisiac formula include ashwagandha extract, Catuaba herb, Cistanches, Cnidium, Horny goat weed, Maca, Passion flower, Mucuna Pruriens, Muira Puama, Rhodiola, Shilajit, Suma, Tribulus, and Tongkat ali. Another version of Passion Rx is available without Yohimbe.

 

 

 

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.

Availability and dosage
Suma herb is typically sold as a tea, tincture, powder, or as capsules. Most capsules of suma contain 500 mg of the powder. A typical dosage is 500 or 1,000 mg a day.

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.

Eyesight Rx with Suma extract, Supports Healthy Vision

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

 Click Eyesight Rx to purchase or for details

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.

Additional articles of interest
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 Erectile dysfunction supplements
 Female libido supplements
 Libido herbal help
Lycopene extract
 Sam-e supplement for depression
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 Sexual Enhancement secrets


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.