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Brazilian Suma – Powdered Root, Pfaffia paniculata
€21.95
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This is suma root from Brazil, ground to a pale powder and sold under the name Pfaffia paniculata. The 100 g Maya Superfoods pouch carries the trade name Brazilian Ginseng. Botanists now place the plant in Hebanthe erianthos, a member of the amaranth family.See also: Smart Seeds & Herbs
- Botanical name: Hebanthe erianthos (Poir.) Pedersen
- Trade name (synonym): Pfaffia paniculata (Mart.) Kuntze
- Family: Amaranthaceae (amaranth family)
Smart Seeds & Herbs · Hebanthe erianthos Pedersen
Ground suma root in a 100 g pouch
Ground to a fine, pale powder, this is the root of suma, a South American member of the amaranth family (Amaranthaceae) that is still sold as Pfaffia paniculata. The kraft bag holds 100 g and has a Maya Superfoods label printed Brazilian Ginseng, Pfaffia paniculata and Powdered, together with a Made in Brazil seal. There is no other size of this item.
- Amaranthaceae
- Root
- Powder
- Brazil
- Botanical name
- Hebanthe erianthos (Poir.) Pedersen
- Trade name (synonym)
- Pfaffia paniculata (Mart.) Kuntze
- Family
- Amaranthaceae (amaranth family)
- Common names
- Suma; Portuguese fáfia, jinsém-brasileiro; label: Brazilian Ginseng
- Plant part
- Root
- Form
- Powder
Traditional use
Suma is the root of Hebanthe erianthos, a plant of the amaranth family (Amaranthaceae) of South America (Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru, north-eastern Argentina, according to the Kew checklist), sold under the old name Pfaffia paniculata. In Brazil it is called Brazilian ginseng, a name under which several species of Pfaffia and Hebanthe are sold (Rodrigues et al. 2013).
In Brazilian folk medicine the root is reputed to be an aphrodisiac (Rodrigues et al. 2013). Its saponins, the pfaffosides, derive from pfaffic acid, which serves as a marker compound of the species; β-ecdysterone is also described in it (Miranda et al. 2024).
| Known compounds | Triterpenoid saponins (pfaffosides A to F) derived from pfaffic acid, β-ecdysterone and sterols (Miranda et al. 2024). |
|---|---|
| Traditional use | Root of Brazilian folk medicine, reputed to be an aphrodisiac; sold as “Brazilian ginseng”. |
| State of research | Laboratory studies on extracts (cells, animals); no clinical study found. No health claim is authorised in the EU for this plant. |
From Pfaffia to Hebanthe
Suma was long known as Pfaffia paniculata, and that is still the name on the pouch. In 2000 Pedersen published the name Hebanthe erianthos for this species; WCVP and GBIF accept it and list Pfaffia paniculata as a synonym. The native range of the species stretches from Peru and Bolivia across Brazil to Paraguay and the north-east of Argentina. In Brazil it is also called fáfia or jinsém-brasileiro, a name that matches the trade name Brazilian Ginseng on the pouch.
Other suma formats
The shop lists two more suma products: a 500 g pouch of suma powder from Maya Herbs and suma capsules from Brazil. This 100 g pouch is the one whose supplier record names the root as the plant part.
Storing your botanicals
Keep dried plants in their tightly closed pouch or in an airtight jar, away from light, moisture and heat. Powders absorb moisture easily, so close them again straight away. For extracts, tinctures and capsules, follow the instructions on the label and the printed date.
Before using a plant
- Keep plants out of the reach of children and pets.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or taking any medication, ask a doctor or pharmacist first: many plants interact with medicines.
- Stop immediately if you have an allergic reaction or feel unwell.
- The information on this page describes the product; it does not replace medical advice.
Specifications
| Botanical name | Hebanthe erianthos (Poir.) Pedersen |
|---|---|
| Trade name (synonym) | Pfaffia paniculata (Mart.) Kuntze |
| Family | Amaranthaceae (amaranth family) |
| Common names | Suma; Portuguese fáfia, jinsém-brasileiro; label: Brazilian Ginseng |
| Plant part | Root |
| Form | Powder |
| Origin | Brazil (label: Made in Brazil) |
| Pack size | 100 g |
| Reference | 4567 |
| Sold as | Collectible or souvenir item; do not consume |
Discreet delivery
Orders are packed on working days and leave in plain outer packaging that does not describe the contents. Once your order has shipped, we email you the tracking link when one is available. Estimated delivery times, right of withdrawal and exceptions: Delivery, tracking and returns.
Sources: Rodrigues et al. 2013, J Pharm Biomed Anal 77:76-82; Miranda et al. 2024, Microorganisms 12(6); Kew, World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Hebanthe erianthos; IPNI, Hebanthe erianthos Pedersen, Bonplandia 2000; supplier information; Plants of the World Online (Kew); GBIF. Updated 3 October 2026 by the Mycotrop team.
Frequently asked questions
Why is suma called “Brazilian ginseng”?
It is a trade name: in Brazil, several species of Pfaffia and Hebanthe are sold under it (Rodrigues et al. 2013). Suma belongs to the Amaranthaceae and is not related to Asian ginseng (Panax, Araliaceae).
Are Hebanthe erianthos and Pfaffia paniculata the same plant?
Yes. Pfaffia paniculata is a synonym of Hebanthe erianthos (Poir.) Pedersen, a name published in 2000 and accepted by the Kew checklist (WCVP).
Why does the pouch say Brazilian Ginseng?
It is a trade name for suma; in Portuguese the plant is also called jinsém-brasileiro. The plant is not related to the ginseng genus Panax.
Is Pfaffia paniculata still the correct name?
It is a synonym. The accepted name is Hebanthe erianthos; the label keeps the older name.
How does it differ from the 500 g suma powder?
This pouch holds 100 g of powdered root under the Maya Superfoods label; the other is a 500 g Maya Herbs pouch labelled Suma.
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