Suma Root Powder — Brazilian Ginseng

(Pfaffia paniculata)

Pfaffia paniculata — Suma, Brazilian Ginseng, or Para Toda — is a large, sprawling, woody perennial vine of the family Amaranthaceae native to the tropical rainforests of South America, found primarily in Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, and Panama, where it grows in the humid lowland forests and forest margins of the Amazon basin and Atlantic Forest regions. Pfaffia paniculata is one of the most important and widely used botanical tonics of South American traditional medicine — it has been used by the Indigenous peoples of the Amazon basin for centuries, and it is known throughout Brazil and much of South America by the evocative name para toda — Portuguese for “for everything” or “for all things” — a name that reflects the extraordinary breadth of its traditional uses across South American botanical traditions. The common name “Brazilian Ginseng” reflects both its geographic origin and its traditional role as a tonic and adaptogenic herb in South American botanical practice — a role analogous to that of Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) in East Asian medicine, though the two plants are botanically unrelated. The genus name Pfaffia honors the German botanist Johann Christoph Pfaff (1773–1852). The large, fleshy, cream-colored taproot — which can reach 1–2 meters in length and several centimeters in diameter — is the primary botanical product, dried and ground to a fine powder.

Pfaffia paniculata root contains a distinctive and well-characterized phytochemical profile, most notably pfaffic acid (a unique nortriterpenoid acid — the primary bioactive compound and quality marker, unique to Pfaffia species), pfaffosides A, B, C, D, E, and F (nortriterpenoid saponin glycosides unique to Pfaffia paniculata), beta-ecdysterone (20-hydroxyecdysone — a phytoecdysteroid), stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol, allantoin, polysaccharides (glucomannans and arabinogalactans), saponins (approximately 11% of dry root weight), germanium (organic — one of the highest plant sources), iron, magnesium, zinc, cobalt, silica, B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6), vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin K, all essential amino acids, and protein (approximately 35% of dry weight). Available in Powder form.

Product Highlights

• Root powder of Pfaffia paniculata — Suma / Brazilian Ginseng / Para Toda (“for everything”)
• Native to the tropical rainforests of Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, and Panama
• Known throughout South America as para toda — reflecting its extraordinary breadth of traditional use across Amazonian botanical traditions
• Primary bioactive compounds: pfaffic acid and pfaffosides A–F — nortriterpenoid saponins unique to Pfaffia paniculata
• Rich source of beta-ecdysterone (20-hydroxyecdysone) — one of the most studied phytoecdysteroids in the plant kingdom
• One of the highest known plant sources of organic germanium
• Approximately 35% protein by dry weight — containing all essential amino acids
• Available in Powder form

How to Use

Smoothies: Add ½–1 teaspoon to smoothies — mild, slightly earthy, and faintly sweet. Herbal Formulas: Combine with ashwagandha, maca, and other adaptogenic roots. Encapsulation: Fill capsules for convenient daily use. Herbal Tea: Whisk ½ teaspoon into hot water or warm milk with honey and cinnamon. Food: Stir into oatmeal, yogurt, or energy balls.

Available in Powder (4 oz, 8 oz, 16 oz).

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before use if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition. Keep out of reach of children.