Herb library · Herb · Hebanthe eriantha (syn. Pfaffia paniculata)
Suma
A Brazilian root sold as "Brazilian ginseng" for energy, stress and sexual function. It is a root of the amaranth family (Amaranthaceae). Almost all research is in the lab; the one trial in people, in sickle cell disease, was judged too weak to show anything.
Traditional use
Known in Brazil as Brazilian ginseng, the root is widely used in folk medicine as an aphrodisiac and a tonic, including for diabetes, and Brazilian folk books list it among plants used for purposes like an adaptogen's (anti-stress, memory, physical and sexual performance). Interest in its commercial trade grew from lab reports of anti-tumor activity.
What studies show
- Insufficient
Sickle cell disease: a 2020 Cochrane review included one trial of powdered suma root. The reviewers were uncertain of any effect on lab measures or symptoms (very low-quality evidence); no side effects were reported. Separately, a 2015 lab study found suma extract made red blood cells from sickle cell patients more flexible in a test tube.
- Insufficient
Energy, stress, sexual function and other tonic uses: no trials in people. A 2007 survey noted that Brazil's adaptogen-like plants, suma among them, lack clinical studies.
- Insufficient
Cancer: studies of suma extracts are in cells and animals, such as a 2024 lab study on colon and breast cancer cell lines; none in people.
Be careful of
Cautions
- NoteSeveral other Pfaffia and Hebanthe plants are sold as Pfaffia paniculata or Brazilian ginseng, so a product may not contain the plant on its label (2013 analytical study).
- ConditionSickle cell disease needs regular medical care; the evidence for suma in it is very low quality. Do not replace prescribed care with it.
- NoteIts safety has not been studied beyond the one small trial, which reported no side effects.
- Ask a clinicianTalk with a clinician or pharmacist before using this if you take prescription medicines, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are giving it to a child.
Sources
- Phytomedicines (medicines derived from plants) for sickle cell disease (Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2020) (opens in a new tab) · NIH · read September 25, 2026
- Pfaffia paniculata extract improves red blood cell deformability in sickle cell patients (Clin Hemorheol Microcirc, 2015) (opens in a new tab) · NIH · read September 25, 2026
- Antiproliferative assay of suma or Brazilian ginseng (Hebanthe eriantha) methanolic extract on HCT116 and 4T1 cancer cell lines, in vitro toxicity on Artemia salina larvae, and antibacterial activity (Nat Prod Res, 2024) (opens in a new tab) · NIH · read September 25, 2026
- Development of an analytical method for the quantification of pfaffic acid in Brazilian ginseng (Hebanthe eriantha) (J Pharm Biomed Anal, 2013) (opens in a new tab) · NIH · read September 25, 2026
- Brazilian plants as possible adaptogens: an ethnopharmacological survey of books edited in Brazil (J Ethnopharmacol, 2007) (opens in a new tab) · NIH · read September 25, 2026
Reviewed September 25, 2026.