The specific epithet is also spelt "eriantha", although the basionym is Iresine erianthos.

[2] The root of this rambling ground vine found in South America is used traditionally as a medicine and tonic.

Nicknamed "para tudo" in Brasil, which means "for everything", suma is a traditional herbal medicine.

[3] The indigenous peoples of the Amazon region have used suma root for generations for a wide variety of health purposes, including as a general tonic; as an energy, rejuvenating, and sexual tonic; a calming agent; to treat ulcers; and as a cure-all for at least 300 years.

[4] The root contains phytochemicals including saponins (pfaffosides),[5] pfaffic acid, beta-ecdysterone, glycosides, and nortriterpenes.