Green Adaptogen is a blend of three things that have nothing obviously in common: a root from the Brazilian rainforest, a root from the high Peruvian Andes, and a freshwater algae from Taiwan. This guide covers what each one is, why they are combined, and how to use the blend.
The three plants
Suma — the root called “for everything”
Suma (Pfaffia paniculata) is a ground vine native to the Amazon basin and the rainforests of Brazil, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. Its local Portuguese name is Para Tudo, usually rendered “for everything” — a name given by the peoples of the Amazon to a root they reached for broadly rather than for one thing.
It is sometimes called Brazilian ginseng, though as with most plants given that nickname it is not botanically related to ginseng at all. Suma root is a natural source of saponins, iron, magnesium, silica, zinc, germanium and a broad spread of vitamins including A, B1, B2, B6 and E.
Maca — the crop that grows where almost nothing does
Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a root vegetable in the brassica family — a relative of radish and turnip — grown on the Peruvian altiplano at elevations above 4,000 metres. That is higher than almost any other food crop on earth, in thin air, intense sun and freezing nights.
It has been cultivated there for thousands of years and remains a staple food rather than only a supplement. Maca is a natural source of vitamins B1, B2, B12, C and E, plus calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and amino acids. Its flavour is the most assertive thing in this blend: nutty, earthy, faintly malty.
Chlorella — the green in the name
Chlorella is a single-celled freshwater green algae and one of the most chlorophyll-dense organisms known, which is what gives the blend its colour. It is roughly fifty percent protein and a natural source of iron, B vitamins, fibre and omega-3s.
The chlorella here is the same sound-frequency cracked cell wall chlorella we sell on its own — a detail that matters, because chlorella's tough cellulose wall has to be opened for what is inside to be available at all. Our chlorella guide covers why that step is the central quality question for any chlorella.
Why blend a root, a root and an algae
Three reasons, in descending order of how often they are stated.
Breadth. The three come from entirely different botanical worlds and different continents, so their nutritional profiles overlap very little. A blend covers ground no single one of them does.
Flavour. This is the underrated one. Chlorella alone is grassy and oceanic and puts a lot of people off; maca alone is strongly earthy. Together, with suma between them, the result is more balanced than any of the three taken singly — which matters more than it sounds for something meant to be enjoyed daily.
Practicality. Three jars is three decisions every morning. One is one.
The trade-off is control: in a blend you cannot adjust one component independently. If you want to work with maca or chlorella deliberately, buy them singly. If you want something you will actually reach for every day, a blend usually wins.
For background on the category see our overview of adaptogenic herbs, and our guide on how to choose a tonic herb brand.
What is in Sun Potion Green Adaptogen
Our Green Adaptogen contains three ingredients and nothing else: suma root from Brazil, maca root from Peru, and sound-cracked chlorella from Taiwan.
Using Green Adaptogen
The blend is green, earthy and nutty, with maca leading and chlorella underneath. It is more approachable than chlorella alone and less sweet than maca alone.
Mix half to one teaspoon into your liquid of choice. It makes an excellent addition to tea, lattes, smoothies and raw milk potions.
It has a particular affinity for cacao and for banana or mango in a smoothie, both of which round off the green edge. Tonic herbs are traditionally enjoyed in small, regular amounts over time rather than in large occasional doses.
If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or managing a health condition, consult your healthcare practitioner before adding Green Adaptogen or any new supplement to your routine.
Frequently asked questions
What is in Green Adaptogen?
Three ingredients: suma root from Brazil, maca root from Peru, and sound-cracked chlorella from Taiwan. Nothing else.
What is suma?
Suma (Pfaffia paniculata) is a ground vine native to the Amazon basin. Its Portuguese name, Para Tudo, is usually rendered “for everything.” It is sometimes called Brazilian ginseng, though it is not botanically related to ginseng.
What is maca?
Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a root vegetable in the brassica family, related to radish and turnip, grown on the Peruvian altiplano above 4,000 metres — higher than almost any other food crop on earth. It has been cultivated there as a staple food for thousands of years.
What does Green Adaptogen taste like?
Green, earthy and nutty, with maca leading and chlorella underneath. It is noticeably more approachable than chlorella on its own, and pairs well with cacao, banana or mango.
How do I use Green Adaptogen?
Mix half to one teaspoon into your liquid of choice — tea, lattes, smoothies and raw milk potions all work well. It is traditionally enjoyed in small, regular amounts over time.
Where can I buy Green Adaptogen?
Sun Potion offers Green Adaptogen as a three-ingredient blend of suma, maca and chlorella, shipped across the US from sunpotion.com. It is also available through select wellness retailers.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare practitioner before beginning any new supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or managing a medical condition.
