Suma
OTHER NAME(S): Brazilian Ginseng, Brazilien Ginseng, Ginseng Brasilero, Ginseng Brésilien, Ginseng du Brésil, Pfaffia, Hebanthe eriantha, Pfaffia paniculata, Hebanthe paniculata, Gomphrena paniculata
Overview
Suma is a plant. It is sometimes called Brazilian ginseng, but it's not related to ginseng. The root of suma is used to make medicine.
Suma is most commonly used as an "adaptogen." An adaptogen is thought to boosts the body's ability to resist "stressors" such as bacteria, toxins, or mental stress. Suma is also used for cancer, diabetes, male sexual performance problems, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Some researchers think that the chemicals in suma may stop some cancers from developing, decrease swelling, and relieve pain.
Some researchers think that the chemicals in suma may stop some cancers from developing, decrease swelling, and relieve pain.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Improving the immune system.
- Cancer and tumors.
- Diabetes.
- Wounds.
- Skin problems.
- Sexual problems.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of suma for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Suma is considered POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when it is taken by mouth for a short period of time.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if suma is safe to apply to the skin or what the side effects might be.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Suma is considered POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when it is taken by mouth for a short period of time.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if suma is safe to apply to the skin or what the side effects might be.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if suma is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Suma overview.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of suma depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for suma. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
- Foster S, Tyler VE. Tyler's Honest Herbal, 4th ed., Binghamton, NY: Haworth Herbal Press, 1999.
- Arletti R, Benelli A, Cavazzuti E, et al. Stimulating property of Turnera diffusa and Pfaffia paniculata extracts on the sexual-behavior of male rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 1999;143:15-9.
- Watanabe, T., Watanabe, M., Watanabe, Y., and Hotta, C. Effects of oral administration of Pfaffia paniculata (Brazilian ginseng) on incidence of spontaneous leukemia in AKR/J mice. Cancer Detect.Prev. 2000;24(2):173-178.
- Ballas, S. K. Hydration of sickle erythrocytes using a herbal extract (Pfaffia paniculata) in vitro. Br J Haematol. 2000;111(1):359-362.
- Matsuzaki, P., Akisue, G., Salgado Oloris, S. C., Gorniak, S. L., and Zaidan Dagli, M. L. Effect of Pfaffia paniculata (Brazilian ginseng) on the Ehrlich tumor in its ascitic form. Life Sci 12-19-2003;74(5):573-579.
- Oshima, M. and Gu, Y. Pfaffia paniculata-induced changes in plasma estradiol-17beta, progesterone and testosterone levels in mice. J Reprod.Dev. 2003;49(2):175-180.
- da Silva, T. C., Paula, da Silva, Akisue, G., Luis, Avanzo J., Kazumi, Nagamine M., Fukumasu, H., Matsuzaki, P., Cesar, Raspantini P., Haraguchi, M., Lima, Gorniak S., and Dagli, M. L. Inhibitory effects of Pfaffia paniculata (Brazilian ginseng) on preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions in a mouse hepatocarcinogenesis model. Cancer Lett. 8-26-2005;226(2):107-113.
- Carneiro, C. S., Costa-Pinto, F. A., da Silva, A. P., Pinello, K. C., da Silva, T. C., Matsuzaki, P., Nagamine, M. K., Gorniak, S. L., Haraguchi, M., Akisue, G., and Dagli, M. L. Pfaffia paniculata (Brazilian ginseng) methanolic extract reduces angiogenesis in mice. Exp Toxicol Pathol 2007;58(6):427-431.
- Nagamine, M. K., da Silva, T. C., Matsuzaki, P., Pinello, K. C., Cogliati, B., Pizzo, C. R., Akisue, G., Haraguchi, M., Gorniak, S. L., Sinhorini, I. L., Rao, K. V., Barbuto, J. A., and Dagli, M. L. Cytotoxic effects of butanolic extract from Pfaffia paniculata (Brazilian Ginseng) on cultured human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Exp Toxicol Pathol 5-15-2008;
- Subiza, J., Subiza, J. L., Escribano, P. M., Hinojosa, M., Garcia, R., Jerez, M., and Subiza, E. Occupational asthma caused by Brazil ginseng dust. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1991;88(5):731-736.