Suma Root

History and Uses:
Suma Root is a shrub that grows in the Amazon Basin, and has long been one of the most highly regarded South American herbs. There has not yet been extensive scientific research conducted with respect to this plant, but it does have a long tradition of use as a folk medicine. The part of this plant used medicinally is the root. The primary chemical constituents of Suma Root include saponins (nortriterpenoid and pfaffosides), sitosterol, stigmasterol, allantoin, sesquiterpenes, polyphenols and germanium. Suma's properties are tonic, aphrodisiac, restorative and astringent. While not a true member of the Panax ginseng family, it is an authentic adaptogenic herb, and, as such, exerts a normalizing influence on your body and can help regulate and enhance your endocrine, nervous, digestive, cardiovascular and immune systems. South American natives have used Suma for centuries to treat wounds, skin rashes, low energy and sexual disinterest. The overall effect is to give you an increased resistance to stress while having a cell-building and regenerating effect. It also has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that can help alleviate chronic and acute pain. Suma Root is also quite valuable nutritionally as it contains essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids and trace elements. It also contains high amounts of the trace element germanium, which is a powerful immune stimulator. The germanium may be partly responsible for Suma's powerful ability to bring more oxygen to the cells. This herb is said to help fight the virus responsible for Epstein-Barr disease. Japanese research has demonstrated that it inhibits some types of cancerous cells. Suma is also beneficial for treating cardiovascular disease, depression, chronic fatigue and inflammatory conditions.