Common names | Suma, Brazilian ginseng 

Scientific name | Pfaffia paniculata

Used part | Root

Known active compounds | pfaffic acid, pfaffosides 

Potential benefits in cosmetics | anti-oxidant 

Product name | Suma Root-ANB

 

Plant Story

Suma (Pfaffia paniculata) is a shrubby vine native to the rain forests of the Amazon and other tropical regions of South America. It is the root that is mainly used part for medicinal purposes. Due to the belief that it has adaptogenic properties, suma is also called ‘Brazilian ginseng’ although it is not related to Asian or American ginseng (genus Panax). Suma root has been used for medicinal purposes in South America. In Brazil, it was used to treat anemia, cancer, immune disorders, inflammation, and skin problems and as an anti-oxidant. In traditional Peruvian medicine, suma root was used as a tonic and anti-bacterial and to treat ulcers of skin and digestive system.

 

A triterpene pfaffic acid is a well-known active compound in suma root. Saponins called pfaffosides are also present in suma root. Other compounds such as malic acid, caffeic acid, quinic acid, ferulic acid, and quercetin were also identified. Although bioactivity research on suma root is relatively limited to date, another species P. tuberosa was found to be high in total phenolic content and possess strong anti-oxidant activity analyzed by DPPH assay compared to other four Amaranthaceae plants investigated.