Documentation
on Amazon Herbs
June 1999
Formula: Sumacazon
Statement: Suma provides important hormonal
precursors beta-sitosterol and beta-ecdysone. Suma, known as
Brazilian ginseng, is classified as an adaptogen for
facilitating hormonal balance and helping the body adjust to
stress.
Documentation:
1. Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Pfaffia Paniculata (Martius)
Kuntze and Pfaffia stenophylla (Sprengel) Stuchl by G.
Mazzanti et al Pharmacological Research, Vol. 27, Supplement
1, 1993.
"The chemical constituents so far isolated from P.
paniculata are stigmasterol, sitosterol and their glycosides,
allantoin, pfaffic acid (nortriterpene) and its saponins named
pfaffosides."
2. Pfaffosides and Nortiterpenoid Saponins from Pfaffia
paniculata by N. Nishimoto et al. Phytochemistry, Vol. 23, No.
1, p. 139-42, 1984.
"We have investigated the constituents of this plant
and isolated, besides the new nortriterpene pfaffic acid,
three new pfaffic acid saponine named pfaffosides A, B and C
and established their structures as 1-4 respectively.
Furthermore, a mixture of stigmasterol and sitosterol, their
glycosides and also allantoin were identified.
3. On the Similarity of Steroidal Compounds from Plants and
Hormones. Herbal Tonic Therapies by Daniel Mowrey, Keats
Publishing, 1993, p. 289.
"Stigmasterol comes about as close as any other plant
sterol to being useful in steroid synthesis by yields what is
better called a semi-synthesis. It must be emphasized that
there is not an equivalency between plant steroids and human
steroids. It takes many sythetic steps to get from one to the
other. If the two have steroidal effects in the body, it is
because the steroidal precursors have similar effects. The
body does not recognize them or mistake them for its own
hormones, but uses them in a synthetic manner."
4. On the Subject of Adaptogens. Herbal Tonic Therapies by
Daniel Mowrey, PhD. Keats Publishing, 1993, p. 47.
"When it comes to the effects of ginseng on the immune
system, it has become customary to write and talk in terms of
the Russian-born adaptogen hypothesis which was developed to
describe the properties of Siberian ginseng. Though basically
a circular concept, it does serve the purpose of organizing
many apparently contradictory findings on all species of
ginseng. For instance, panax ginseng exerts both hypotensive
and hypertensive actions. Similar effects are seen with blood
sugar. Other characteristics of ginseng are exhibited in
unhealthy organisms but are absent in normal healthy
organisms.
These findings are not really contradictory, but rather
suggest that the guiding principle behind the action of
ginseng is to act as a tonic, to 'restore' normality and
increase the nonspecific resistance of organisms to disease or
any other 'change' away from 'normal' health. Thereby ginseng
increases a person's ability to 'adapt' to the changes in the
environment. Although the Russians coined the term 'adaptogen',
the term has come to refer to any herb or other agent that
increases the ability to adapt. The term is now used to refer
to dozens of plants, many of which act in a manner that only
vaguely resembles ginseng."
Statement: Studies done by the Peruvian Government
showed animals with Maca in their diet maintained better
health and vitality and had more offspring than animals not
eating Maca.
Documentation
1. Physiological Studies and Determination of Chromosome
Number in Maca, Lepidium meyenii by Carlos Quiros, A.
Epperson, J. Hu and M. Holle. Econ Bot 50 (2) 216-223, 1996.
"Dry maca hypocotyls have the following composition:
59% carbohydrates, 10.2% proteins, 8.5% fiber and 2.2% lipids.
Maca has a large amount of essential amino acids and higher
levels of iron and calcium than the white potato. In addition,
it contains important amounts of fatty acids, of which
linolenic, palmitic and oleic acids are the most prominent.
Maca is also rich in sterols and has high mineral content, in
particular, iron, calcium and copper. Alkaloids are also
present, but these have yet to be quantified."
Statement: It (Maca) is traditionally used to increase
energy, mental clarity, support sexual functions and muscle
tone.
Documentation:
1. Physiological Studies and Determination of Chromosome
Number in Maca, Lepidium meyenii by Carlos Quiros, A.
Epperson, J. Hu and M. Holle. Econ Bot 50 (2) 216-223, 1996.
"According to folk belief, maca enhances female
fertility in humans and domestic animals which tends to be
reduced at higher altitudes. Chemical analysis by Johns (1981)
suggests that this property may be due to the presence of
biological active aromatic isothiocyanates, and specifically
due to p-methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate, which is also found in
Tropasolum tuberosum, another species reputed to increase
fertility in humans. Today, dried maca roots are ground to
powder and sold in drug stores in capsules as a medicine and
food supplement to increase stamina and fertility. Because of
these properties, it is also known by the name of Peruvian
ginseng.
Statement: Muira Puama - is a Brazilian shrub that has
historically been used as a tonic for the nervous system and
to nutritionally support organs involved in healthy sexual
function.
Documentation:
1. French Institute of Sexology, 1996, Original research,
Jacques Wayneberg. Male Sexual Asthenia - Interest in a
Traditional Plant-Derived Medication: "Testor-plus."
Dr. Wayneberg's research tested the effects of Marapuama in
100 men, 82% with impotence and 18% with loss of libido.
Subjects were given 1-1.5 gm of the herb in powdered form per
day. "Frequency of intercourse was significantly
increased for 62%. Thirty-two per cent indicated a
strengthening of their libido. 12% noted morning erections
that were improved. 52% notices re-established stability of
erections during intercourse.
2. Notas Sobre Plantas Brasileiras by M. Penna, A. Penna, Rio
de Janeiro, 1930.
Muira Puama is recommended on a basis of confirmed
experience, in the treatment of disorders of the nervous
system.
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