Compound or practice · Supplement
Pelargonium sidoides (Umckaloabo)
A South African geranium root (EPs 7630) with solid evidence for shortening acute bronchitis and colds.
- Overall grade
- Grade B
- Last revised
- 2
- graded outcomes
- 0
- references listed
A structured monograph in Prometheus's bundled library. Its grades are the monograph's own reading of the evidence, not a peer-reviewed review.
2 at grade B — 2 graded rows
What is known
Each outcome with its grade (how strong the evidence is, A to D), the size of the effect where the entry records one, and how often studies agree.
- Acute bronchitis duration/severityEvidence grade B
EPs 7630
Moderatehigh
- Common cold / sinusitisEvidence grade B
Symptom relief
Smallmixed
What is uncertain
Read off the same rows as above. Nothing here is added that the entry does not itself record.
- Studies disagree: Common cold / sinusitis (mixed agreement).
The evidence in words
What it is
Pelargonium sidoides root extract (standardized as EPs 7630, 'Umckaloabo') is used for acute respiratory infections.
How it works
It has antiviral and antibacterial-adhesion activity plus immune-stimulating and mild expectorant effects.
What the evidence shows
Multiple RCTs (mostly on the EPs 7630 extract) show it reduces the severity and duration of acute bronchitis, the common cold, and sinusitis, speeding return to work/school. The evidence is among the better ones for an herbal respiratory remedy, though largely tied to one extract/manufacturer.
Safety & interactions
Generally well tolerated (GI upset, rare allergic reactions); rare liver-injury reports warrant stopping if symptoms occur.
Bottom line
One of the best-evidenced herbal options for shortening acute bronchitis and colds — reasonable to reach for at symptom onset, using the standardized extract.
Related reading
Entries that share this one's tags or conditions.
- Pelargonium sidoides (Umckaloabo) for Acute bronchitis duration/severityEvidence grade B — EPs 7630Evidence grade B
- Pelargonium sidoides (Umckaloabo) for Common cold / sinusitisEvidence grade B — Symptom reliefEvidence grade B
- Pelargonium sidoides (Umckaloabo): side effects, safety & interactionsGenerally well tolerated (GI upset, rare allergic reactions); rare liver-injury reports warrant stopping if symptoms occEvidence grade B
- AndrographisOne of the better-evidenced herbs for shortening upper-respiratory infections.Evidence grade B
Sources
This entry lists no references of its own.
Last revised . A grade is this entry's reading of the evidence, not medical advice.