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Pelargonium Sidoides South African Herbal Remedy |
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by Don Brown, N.D.
Pelargonium sidoides
South African Herbal Remedy Clinically Proven to Shorten the Duration of the Common Cold and Reduce the Severity of Symptoms
One of the most exciting new options for your
natural medicine cabinet during the upcoming
cold season is a root extract of a member of the
geranium family known as Pelargonium sidoides.
This unique medicine helps successfully shorten
the duration of the common cold and fight off symptoms such as
runny and stuffy noses, sore throats, and coughs—while ordinary
OTC cold medicines only mask symptoms.
Traditionally used by Zulu tribes to treat coughs, upper respiratory
tract irritations, and even tuberculosis, a standardized
root extract of the plant has been studied extensively in over
7,500 patients (including more than 2,500 children) and found
to successfully and safely treat not only the common cold but
also shorten the severity and duration of hard-to-treat conditions
such as bronchitis, tonsillitis and sinusitis—secondary
infections often caused by unresolved colds.
Pelargonium sidoides is currently available in Germany where
a standardized product has been approved for the treatment of
bronchitis, tonsillitis, and sinusitis. The overwhelming success
of the product in that country—attaining status as the 3rd bestselling
OTC behind only aspirin and Ginkgo biloba—has led to
its recent introduction to the United States as Umcka® Coldcare
(Nature’s Way Products, Springville, Utah).
Demonstrated Clinical Effectiveness
While there are many traditional remedies for the common cold,
bronchitis, tonsillitis, and sinusitis many lack the necessary clinical
studies to support their effectiveness. This is where the standardized
root extract of Pelargonium sidoides really shines.
Common Cold: A recent study gave 93 adults suffering the common
cold either Pelargonium sidoides root extract or a placebo
Products, Inc. ©2006 10/06 Available at fine Health Food stores
for 10 days. By the 5th day of the study,
the majority of participants taking the
herbal extract reported not only feeling
better but also back to almost 75 percent
of their normal activity level. By the tenth
day, 82 percent of people taking the herbal
remedy were back to their normal daily
routine compared to only 54 percent of
those taking placebo.
Bronchitis: The majority of cases are
commonly prescribed antibiotics,
whereas they are usually due to a viral
infection and not a bacterial infection.
A clinical study treated 468 adults with
bronchitis with either the Pelargonium
sidoides root extract or a placebo.
Treated for only seven days, symptoms
such as cough, chest pain, sputum production,
and shortness of breath, were
reduced by almost 50 percent in those
persons taking the herbal extract compared
to those taking placebo. Coughing
either improved or disappeared in
89 percent of those taking Pelargonium
sidoides compared to only 57 percent of
those taking placebo. The treated adults
returned to work nearly two days earlier
than the placebo group.
Tonsillitis: a study gave 143 children (ages
6 to 10 years old) with non-strep tonsillitis
either Pelargonium sidoides root extract or
placebo for 6 days. notable was the finding
that by day 2 of treatment, children
taking the herbal extract were already reporting
symptom relief. by day 6, 81 percent
of the children taking the herbal remedy
were back at school (two days sooner)
compared to only 21 percent taking placebo.
it’s important to note that the children
with strep throat were excluded from this
study. strep throat is a potentially dangerous
condition in children that should be
treated with antibiotics.
Sinusitis: A frustrating and difficult to
treat condition, sinusitis is often a recurring
problem and often resistant to
repeated use of antibiotics. A study has
shown that use of Pelargonium sidoides
root extract for 21 days dramatically
reduces not only symptom severity in
adults with acute sinusitis but also improves
the health of the sinuses. Using
sinus x-rays to check for sinus congestion,
the study found that almost 98
percent of the persons taking the herbal
extract had normal sinus x-rays by the
end of the study compared to only 10
percent of those taking a placebo. Notable
in this study is that none of the
participants took antibiotics.
Recommended Use and Safety
As noted above, the researched Pelargonium
sidoides root product used in these
clinical studies is available in the product
Umcka® Coldßcare. The product is
available in the original drops form which
contains alcohol or a non-alcohol alternative.
Also available are three syrups—one
menthol flavored (with alcohol), a cherry
flavored (without alcohol), and a sugarfree
grape flavored (without alcohol). For
the common cold, bronchitis, and tonsillitis,
follow the instructions on the label.
I recommend that people use it for seven
to 10 days. For sinusitis, double the dose
on the label and use it for at least 21 days
without interruption.
The product has been proven to be extremely
safe in both adults and children.
While you won’t find it recommended for
kids under six years of age on the label,
I have frequently recommended it for
younger children with great success and
positive feedback from parents. The nonalcohol
versions are best used in children.
The product is not recommended
for pregnant or lactating women as there
are no studies to establish its safety in this
population. To date, there are no known
drug interactions with the product.
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