Pelargonium sidoide's therapeutic uses
Pelargonium sidoides, a plant native to South Africa, is recognized for its therapeutic uses, particularly in treating respiratory conditions. Commonly referred to by its product names like Umckaloabo or EPs 7630, the medicinal applications of this plant's root have gained popularity, especially in Germany. It is primarily used for acute bronchitis, sore throat, and other respiratory issues such as colds, flu, and sinusitis. Research supports its efficacy, with studies indicating that patients receiving a standardized extract experienced significantly reduced symptoms and faster recovery compared to those given a placebo.
In clinical trials, Pelargonium sidoides has shown promising outcomes for children with non-group A strep throat and adults suffering from the common cold. While it has a historical use for treating dysentery, scientific validation for this application is lacking. Safety assessments have reported minimal side effects, though caution is advised for specific populations, including young children, pregnant women, and those with serious health conditions. Overall, Pelargonium sidoides presents a potential natural option for addressing various respiratory ailments, although further research is needed to fully understand its safety and efficacy.
Pelargonium sidoide's therapeutic uses
DEFINITION: Natural plant product used to treat specific health conditions.
PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USES: Acute bronchitis, sore throat
OTHER PROPOSED USES: Colds and flu, sinusitis, tonsillitis, dysentery
Overview
Pelargonium sidoides is a plant in the geranium family that grows in South Africa. It has heart-shaped leaves and narrow deep, saturated red flowers. It has a long history of traditional use in southern Africa for the treatment of respiratory problems. The root is the part used medicinally. It is sometimes called EPs 7630 and has been sold as Umckaloabo and Umcka cold care.
Therapeutic Dosages
A typical adult dose of the tested standardized root extract is thirty to sixty drops (1.5 to 3 milliliters) three times daily for about one week. For children aged six to eleven, this dose is typically reduced to twenty drops three times daily. However, other products besides the tested formulation may vary in strength. Therefore, label instructions should be followed regarding dosing.
Therapeutic Uses
An alcohol extract made from P. sidoides has become popular in Germany as a treatment for various respiratory problems, including acute bronchitis, the common cold, sinusitis, pharyngitis (sore throat), and tonsillitis. Fairly large studies have been performed to substantiate some of these uses. For example, in one double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 468 adults with recent onset of acute bronchitis were given either a placebo or a standard alcohol extract of P. sidoides three times daily for a week. The results showed a significantly greater improvement in symptoms in the treatment group compared with the placebo group. On average, participants who received the real treatment were able to return to work two days earlier than those given a placebo. Benefits were also seen in two other double-blind, placebo-controlled studies enrolling almost 350 people with acute bronchitis. When researchers pooled the results of four well-designed, placebo-controlled trials, they found that a standardized extract of Pelargonium performed significantly better than a placebo at reducing the symptoms of bronchitis by the seventh day of treatment. Given this evidence, Pelargonium appears to be effective for acute bronchitis.
Another double-blind, placebo-controlled study enrolled 143 children aged six to ten with a nondangerous form of strep throat (technically, non-group A beta-hemolytic strep tonsillopharyngitis). On average, the total duration of the illness was reduced by two days in the treatment group compared with the placebo group. Only a medical test can distinguish between the relatively nondangerous form of strep throat studied in this trial (non-group A strep) and strep throat of the potentially very dangerous A form (group A strep). For this reason, physician supervision is essential.
Finally, a double-blind study of 133 adults who had just come down with the common cold found that the use of a standardized Pelargonium extract at a dose of thirty milliliters (ml) three times daily significantly reduced the severity and duration of symptoms compared with a placebo. It is not known how P. sidoides might work, but its action is hypothesized to involve both direct antibacterial effects and immune function modification.
P. sidoides was traditionally used as a treatment for dysentery and diarrhea, but scientific studies fail to support this use. Some research has indicated positive outcomes for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but further research is needed to confirm these findings.
Safety Issues
In clinical trials of more than twenty-five hundred adults and children, the use of the tested, standardized extract produced few side effects other than the usual occasional allergic reactions, digestive upset, restlessness, fever, and an increased risk of inner-ear disorders. However, comprehensive safety testing has not been completed. There is no reliable evidence regarding safety in children under the age of six, pregnant or nursing women, and people with severe liver or kidney disease. The safety of long-term use is not fully understood. It is not recommended that P. sidoides be used for more than twenty weeks. Additionally, individuals who take anticoagulants like warfarin should avoid P. sidoides.
Bibliography
Chuchalin, A. G., et al. “Treatment of Acute Bronchitis in Adults with a Pelargonium sidoides Preparation (EPs 7630).” Explore (NY), vol. 1, 2006, 437-45.
Kolodziej, H., et al. “Pharmacological Profile of Extracts of Pelargonium sidoides and Their Constituents.” Phytomedicine, vol.10, 2003, pp. 18-24.
Lizogub, V. G., R. S. Riley, and M. Heger. “Efficacy of a Pelargonium sidoides Preparation in Patients with the Common Cold.” Explore (NY), vol. 3, 2007, 573-84.
Moyo, Mack, and Johannes Van Staden. “Medicinal properties and conservation of Pelargonium sidoides DC.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology, vol. 152, no. 2, 2014, pp. 243-55, doi:10.1016/j.jep.2014.01.009.
Nunn, Megan. "Is Pelargonium Sidoides a Natural Remedy for Respiratory Conditions?" Verywell Health, 16 Feb. 2024, www.verywellhealth.com/the-benefits-of-pelargonium-89023. Accessed 20 Sept. 2024.
"Pelargonium Sidoides." Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 24 July 2023, www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/pelargonium-sidoides. Accessed 20 Sept. 2024.