Pelargonium

Scientific Name(s): Pelargonium graveolens, Pelargonium reniforme Curt., Pelargonium sidoides DC.
Common Name(s): African geranium, Kaloba, Kalwerbossie, Rabassamin, Umcka, Umckabo, Umckaloaba, Zucol

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 22, 2021.

Clinical Overview

Use

P. sidoides and P. reniforme are marketed as Umckaloaba or Zucol for bronchitis and pharyngitis. The plant species has also been investigated for use in treating gastritis. Despite a murky beginning in early 20th century herbal promotions, there appears to be some evidence for efficacy in treating bronchitis due to Pelargonium's direct antibiotic effect and host immune stimulation.

Dosing

Clinical trials have used doses of extract corresponding to 1.2 g of plant material daily without adverse reactions. Manufacturer dosage guidelines for Zucol suggest 3 lozenges every day for 6 days, even if symptoms are reduced.

Contraindications

Avoid use with hypersensitivity to any of the components in EPs 7630 or Pelargonium species. Avoid use in patients with serious kidney or liver diseases.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking. One report recommends caution if used during pregnancy.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

Clinical trials enrolling nearly 2,500 adults and children document mostly allergic reactions or GI complaints (eg, gastric pain, heartburn, nausea, diarrhea). In Germany, pharmacovigilance studies document allergic reactions associated with the use of Pelargonium extract. Case reports of fatalities linked to the use of a product containing the Pelargonium extract 1,3-dimethylamylamine (DMAA) have led to DMAA-containing products being banned by the US Department of Defense from military bases and resulted in a complete ban by the New Zealand Ministry of Health.

Toxicology

No animal toxicology studies have been reported.

Scientific Family

• Geraniaceae

Botany

The genus Pelargonium comprises approximately 280 known species, of which 80% are grown in the interior of South Africa.1 Both of the title plant species are distinguished by the color of the flowers, the shape of the leaves, and the pollen color. P. sidoides is a small geranium-like plant that grows in a rosette from thick and very dark brown underground roots that grow up to 15 cm in length. Sparsely branched stems grow from the base and display deep red to black flowers, and the species is distinguished by the cordate or heart-shaped leaves. The pollen of the plant species is yellow. In contrast, P. reniforme has magenta red to black flowers, kidney-shaped leaves, and white to green pollen.2, 3 Both plant species may be found along the seacoast and interior portions of South Africa. Because of poor seed viability, a clonal method of propagation has been developed to reduce pressure on natural populations.4

History

The plant species indigenous to areas of South Africa are widely used by traditional healers of the Zulu, Basuto, Xhosa, and Mfengi tribes to treat dysentery, diarrhea, hepatic complaints, wounds, colds, fatigue, fevers, generalized weakness, and infections of the respiratory tract including tuberculosis.4, 5 Western use of the P. sidoides and P. reniforme species to treat tuberculosis is traced back to the Englishman Major Charles Stevens in 1897 when he was treated by a tribal healer with an extract from the roots of Pelargonium species.2

Origin...