Pelargonium

Author(s): Kayser, O.

Abstract: Pelargonium species, well known for the beauty of their flowers but quite often erroneously called Geraniums, are traditionally used in areas of southern africa as O remedy for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and infections of the respiratory tract including tuberculosis. Among these plants Pelargonium sidoides DC is now considered to represent the species for the herbal drug Umckatoabol. In these days an ethanolic extract prepared from the roots is successfully employed in modem phytotherapy in Europe to cure infectious diseases of the respiratory tract. Both preclinical and clinical studies have confirmed that Umckaloabo has potential therapeutic benefits in these conditions but almost no side-effects. in search of the active principle o series of coumarins, gallic acid derivatives and tannins have been identified and tested for their pharmacological properties. The observed antibacterial and immunomodulatory activities provide a scientific basis for the efficacy of this product.

Keyword(s): Pelargonium sidoides

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