Today's Daily Health Tip

Suma: The Overall Enhancer
by Baseline of Health Staff

Each week, we take a look at a new healthy ingredient. This week, we're putting the spotlight on Suma, the root of a South American vine that is used as an herbal medicine. Natives of the Amazon jungle have used Suma for at least the last 300 years. It wasn't until 1975, however, that Suma was introduced to the 20th century and tested at the University of São Paulo, Brazil.

The studies, conducted by Dr. Milton Brazzach, concluded that although it was not a cure, it nevertheless brought significant relief for cancer, diabetes, and gout sufferers -- with no undesirable side effects. Since then, studies at the American College of the Healing Arts by Dr. Michael Tierra, author of The Way of Herbs, indicated that consistent use of Suma may help combat fatigue (including treatment of chronic fatigue and low energy conditions), prevent colds and flus, speed healing, and regulate blood sugar.

The root contains high doses of amino acids and minerals, including iron, silica, and zinc. And, it is high in polyphenols, which possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The key working ingredients in Suma are:
• Pfaffic acid, which prevents the spread of various cells disorders.
• Pfaffocides and other saponins, which help stop diseases already in progress.
• The plant hormones sitosterol and stigmasterol, which prevent cholesterol absorption and improve blood circulation.
• Alantoin, which helps accelerate healing.

 
And most important of all: Germanium. Suma has one of the highest concentrations of Ge-132 of any plant in existence. What's the big deal with Ge-132? It was actually discovered about 20 years ago by a Japanese research chemist named Kazuhiko Asai. Its full name is bis-Carboxyethylgermanium Ses-quioxide (or Germanium Sesquioxide, for short). Ge-132 works much like Pau d'arco in that it stimulates production of interferon gamma, while at the same time activating cytotoxic natural killer cells and macrophages.

According to studies by Dr. Parris M. Kidd, "This substance, while free of major side effects, can apparently invigorate, rejuvenate, protect against miscarriages during pregnancy, heal burns without scarring, cure radiation sickness, restore eyesight and hearing, kill the pain of advanced cancer, and shrink cancers within weeks. Circulatory disorders, including heart attacks, angina pectoris, stroke, and peripheral impairments respond well to Ge-132, as do hepatitis and cirrhosis and several behavior disorders."