It also has a mild analgesic action. Passion flower is a favorite remedy for PMS and insomnia. Suma is known as 'Para Toda' by the indigenous people of Brazil, and was labeled 'Brazilian ginseng' by Japanese citizens of Brazil, the latter term giving some clue as to what benefits the consumer might expect to realize from its use. It hails from Peruvian forests. It is currently being touted as a possible remedy for cancer and AIDS, and appears to demonstrate considerable immunostimulant action.
Available research is encouraging.
Strenuous efforts are being implemented to prevent endangering supplies, a problem that has threatened both lapacho and suma. A native folk medicine of Brazil, muria puama is best known as an aphrodisiac. Early Italian research discovered an androgenic action similar to that of yohimbe, but without the side effects that yohimbe is known to possess. Muira Puama is cited in the conservative British Herbal Pharmacopoeia as an astringent and aromatic and reluctantly acknowledges its possible aphrodisiac action. It is recommended in the treatment of dysentery and impotence.