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evidence · mechanism · dose
Supplements/Herb

Pelargonium sidoides (Umckaloabo)

South African geranium root for acute bronchitis and URIs.

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Immune Function

Overview

South African geranium root for acute bronchitis and URIs.

Natural sources
  • Whole dried plant material (root, leaf, flower, or aerial parts depending on the species)
  • Standardized hydroethanolic or aqueous extract (capsule, tincture, or tea)
  • Powdered traditional preparation used in Ayurvedic, TCM, or Western herbal practice
Common forms
  • Standardized extract capsule
  • Liquid tincture (alcohol or glycerin)
  • Powdered whole herb
  • Traditional decoction or tea

Mechanism of action

Antiviral and antibacterial; enhances phagocytosis and ciliary beat frequency.

Pathways
  • · Antiviral
  • · antibacterial
  • · enhances phagocytosis
  • · ciliary beat frequency

Effects on the body

Decreases
severity and duration of acute bronchitis

Organ system effects

Immune System

Pelargonium sidoides (Umckaloabo) modulates innate and adaptive immune responses, including cytokine signaling and barrier function.

Evidence-based benefits

Reduces severity and duration of acute bronchitis

Strong evidence

Potential side effects

Common
  • · GI upset
Rare
  • · Hepatotoxicity (rare reports)
Serious

    Drug interactions

    Prescription medications (general)
    Always disclose Pelargonium sidoides (Umckaloabo) use to your prescriber — additive, antagonistic, or pharmacokinetic interactions are possible.
    minor

    Safety & non-supplemental interactions

    Educational summary — always confirm with your clinician or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or combining with prescription therapy.

    Avoid if you are
    • ·Pregnant or breastfeeding (insufficient safety data)
    • ·Children under 18 (unless directed by a clinician)
    Avoid with these conditions
    • ·Autoimmune disease (theoretical immune activation)
    Avoid / monitor with these medications
    • ·Immunosuppressants

    Supplement interactions

    Pairs well with
    • Vitamin D3 + K2
      Foundational immune modulation.
    • Zinc
      Required cofactor for innate and adaptive immune function.
    Avoid combining with

    No specific avoidances listed.

    Dosing & bioavailability

    Typical dose
    30 drops tid / 20 mg tid
    Best form
    Most evidence is based on the standardized extract capsule form.
    Timing
    Consistent daily timing recommended; split larger doses if GI tolerance is a concern.
    With food?
    With meals

    Where to buy

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    Scientific evidence8Show studies
    RCTCurr Med Res Opin · 2010

    EPs 7630 in acute bronchitis

    Matthys H, et al.

    7-day DB-RCT in 405 adults.

    Key findings

    Significantly reduced bronchitis severity score vs placebo.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Pelargonium sidoides (Umckaloabo) — Reduces severity and duration of acute bronchitis

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Pelargonium sidoides (Umckaloabo) Reduces severity and duration of acute bronchitis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Pelargonium sidoides (Umckaloabo) and "Reduces severity and duration of acute bronchitis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Pelargonium sidoides (Umckaloabo) — randomized controlled trial

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Pelargonium sidoides (Umckaloabo) randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Pelargonium sidoides (Umckaloabo) and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Pelargonium sidoides (Umckaloabo) — meta-analysis

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    Live results for "Pelargonium sidoides (Umckaloabo) meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

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    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Pelargonium sidoides (Umckaloabo) — pharmacokinetics

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    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Pelargonium sidoides (Umckaloabo) — safety adverse events

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    Live results for "Pelargonium sidoides (Umckaloabo) safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

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    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Pelargonium sidoides (Umckaloabo) — dose response

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    Live results for "Pelargonium sidoides (Umckaloabo) dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Pelargonium sidoides (Umckaloabo) and "dose response". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewGoogle Scholar · 1970

    Google Scholar: Pelargonium sidoides (Umckaloabo) — clinical evidence

    Live Scholar search

    Cross-database citation index for Pelargonium sidoides (Umckaloabo) as it relates to "clinical evidence".

    Key findings

    Includes preprints, theses, and journal articles. Useful for tracking citation counts and follow-on work.

    Open study
    Educational use only. This profile is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition.

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