Medicines
Pelargonium
Category: Medicines - plant based
Type
Voluntary
Introduction and description
Pelargonium is a genus of flowering plants which includes about 200 species of perennials, succulents, and shrubs, commonly known as geraniums. Confusingly, Geranium is the correct botanical name of a separate genus of related plants often called cranesbills or hardy geraniums. Both genera belong to the family Geraniaceae.
Linnaeus originally included all the species in one genus, Geranium, but they were later separated into two genera by Charles L’Héritier in 1789.
There is value in discussing the Pelagornium family together, often because researchers study them together for comparison purposes. Every observation specifically describes which plant has been analysed.
Description
Pelargonium species are evergreen perennials indigenous to Southern Africa, and are drought and heat tolerant, but can tolerate only minor frosts. They are extremely popular garden plants, grown as bedding plants in temperate regions.
There are at least two species of the plant that have healing properties, more are being investigated. The two specifically known to have healing properties are Pelargonium reniforme and Pelargonium sidoides. We also have observations from Dr Duke's phytochemical database for Pelargonium graveolens (Rose Geranium).
Medicinal uses
Pelargonium sidoides is a medicinal plant native to South Africa. Its common names include Umckaloabo and South African Geranium. Root extract of Pelargonium sidoides is used as cold and flu medicine under various brand names including Kaloba, Umcka and Zucol.
Studies have suggested that extracts from the plant could be used in treating acute bronchitis, acute non-GABHS tonsillopharyngitis (sore throat) in children, and the common cold.
A 2008 systematic review of these findings by the Cochrane Collaboration concluded that extracts of the plant might be effective in treating adults for acute rhinosinusitis and the common cold in adults, but they noted that this conclusion is not certain. They also wrote that it might be effective in relieving the symptoms of acute bronchitis in adults and children, and also the symptoms of sinusitis in adults.
A 2009 systematic review concluded "There is encouraging evidence from currently available data that P. sidoides is effective compared to placebo for patients with acute bronchitis."
The Pelargonium sidoides extract EPs 7630 is an approved drug for the treatment of acute bronchitis in Germany. Determination of virus-induced cytopathogenic effects and virus titres revealed that EPs 7630 interfered with replication of seasonal influenza A virus strains (H1N1, H3N2), respiratory syncytial virus, human coronavirus, parainfluenza virus, and coxsackie virus but did not affect replication of highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus (H5N1), adenovirus, or rhinovirus.
Pelargonium sidoides extract modulates the production of secretory immunoglobulin A in saliva, both interleukin-15 and interleukin-6 in serum, and interleukin-15 in the nasal mucosa. Secretory immunoglobulin A levels were increased, while levels of IL-15 and IL-6 were decreased. Based on this evidence, we suggest that this herbal medicine can exert a strong modulating influence on the immune response associated with the upper airway mucosa."
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of 200 patients concluded
"EPs 7630 was shown to be efficacious and safe in the treatment of acute bronchitis in children and adolescents outside the strict indication for antibiotics with patients treated with EPs 7630 perceiving a more favorable course of the disease and a good tolerability as compared with placebo".
The observations provide research papers on the various properties found for each variety of Pelargonum.
Related observations
Healing observations
- Croll, Oswald - Preface of Signatures – 03 Preface 016021
- Dr Duke's list of Chemicals and their Biological Activities in: Pelargonium graveolens (L.) L'HER ex AIT. (Geraniaceae) -- Rose Geranium, Scented Geranium 019304
- Dr Duke's list of Plants with Antibacillus activity 018351
- Dr Duke's list of Plants with Anticancer (pancreas) activity 018464
- Dr Duke’s list of Chemicals in Plants with high Antibacillus Activity 023162
- In vitro evaluation of antibacterial and immunomodulatory activities of Pelargonium reniforme, Pelargonium sidoides and the related herbal drug preparation EPs 7630 005325
- Massage with aromatherapy: effectiveness on anxiety of users with personality disorders in psychiatric hospitalization 016856
- Treatment of acute rhinosinusitis with the preparation from Pelargonium sidoides EPs 7630: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial 019897