Suma

Suma (Pfaffia paniculata, Hebanthe paniculata) -- also
known as Brasilian ginseng or Para Todo (for
all things) -- is a root used by people in the Amazon
jungle for at least 300 years.

Studies done by Dr. Milton Brazzach at the University
of Sao Paulo, Brasil, indicate relief for various conditions.
Other studies, done at the American College of the Healing Arts by
Dr. Michael Tierra, claim that regular use
of suma helps prevent colds and flu, and other conditions.

Herbalists claim that, like actual ginseng, Suma is an adaptogen.
That means, it helps strengthen the body to have more energy
and be healthier in general by resisting the effects of stress.
It's also claimed to increase the function of the immune system.

The key working ingredients in Suma are:

19 amino acids
iron
magnesium
cobalt
silica
zinc
vitamins A, B-1, B-2, E, K and pantothenic acid.

Pfaffic acid, which prevents the spread of various cells disorders.

Pfaffocides and other saponins, such as nortriterpenoid

The plant hormones sitosterol and stigmasterol

Alantoin

Germanium

Suma has one of the highest concentrations of Ge-132 of any
plant known.

This form of Germanium was discovered Kazuhiko Asai. Its
full name is bis-Carboxyethylgermanium Ses-quioxide (or
Germanium Sesquioxide).

I first heard many years ago that organic Germanium was good
for your immune system. So I went to my local health food store
to try it out. I didn't see it on their shelves, so I asked for it. It's
so expensive that they keep it in the back, out of reach of shoplifters.

B-Ecdysterone, a plant hormone that can help maintain your youth and strength

Allantoin, which assists in healing wounds

Glycosides

Not recommended if you're pregnant or nursing. Or if you have an
estrogen-positive cancer.

Ingesting large amounts of saponins can upset your stomach, so
stay within recommended dosages.It may well be effective at
increasing your immune system's strength, but that is obviously
not its major benefit. It may well come from suma's overall
strengthening of your health and also from the Germanium. Plus, it works
slowly over time. This is a good way to look at your overall health and life.
But it won't help much if and when a bird flu pandemic strikes.


Therefore, I can't see any reason to recommend it as a major weapon
in the fight against bird flu.

Of course, if you live in an area of South America with easy access to
high quality suma, by all means start taking it every day to improve your
health.

If you want its other health benefits, try it out here:

Suma


References:

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saponins from Pfaffia paniculata. Phytochem 1984;23:139–42.

Nishimoto N, Shiobara Y, Inoue S, et al. Three ecdysteroid glycosides
from Pfaffia iresinoids. Phytochem 1988;27:1665–8.

Arletti R, Benelli A, Cavazzuti E, et al. Stimulating property of Turnera
diffusa and Pfaffia paniculata extracts on the sexual behavior of male rats.
Psychopharmacol 1999;143:15–9.

Peirce A. Practical Guide to Natural Medicines. New York: William
Morrow and Co., 1999, 614–5.

Tyler VE. The Honest Herbal 3rd ed. New York: Haworth Press,
1993, 303–4.

Mazzanti G, Braghiroli L. Analgesic anti-inflammatory action of Pfaffia
paniculata (Martius) kuntze. Phyto Res 1994;8:413–6.

Peirce A. Practical Guide to Natural Medicines. New York: William
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De Oliveira F. Pfaffia paniculata (Martius) Kuntze-Brazilian ginseng.
Rev Bras Farmacog. 1986;1:86–92.

Ballas SK. Short Report: Hydration of sickle erythrocytes using a
herbal extract (Pfaffia paniculata) in vitro. Br J Haematol. 2000;111:359–362.

Pinello, K.C., et al. “Effects of Pfaffia paniculata (Brazilian ginseng)
extract on macrophage activity.” Life Sci. 2005 Oct 6

Ballas, S. K., et al. “Hydration of sickle erythrocytes using a herbal
extract (Pfaffia paniculata) in vitro." Brit. J. Hematol. 2000; 111(1): 359–362.

Araujo, J. T. “Brazilian ginseng derivatives for treatment of sickle cell
symptomatology.” US. patent # 5,449,516. Sept. 12, 1995.