Pelargonium sidoides is a South African plant whose root extract (umckaloabo) is sold for colds, coughs and bronchitis. A Cochrane review found low-quality evidence that it may ease acute bronchitis symptoms, and very low-quality evidence for sinusitis and the common cold.
Also known as: umckaloabo, African geranium, EPs 7630, pelargonium root.
Trials used liquid and tablet preparations of different strengths, and results differed by preparation, so we do not list one amount.
It is sold in the US as a dietary supplement. Under the 1994 dietary supplement law (DSHEA), FDA does not approve dietary supplements before they are marketed, and the maker, not FDA, is responsible for safety and labeling. In the EU, pelargonium root extracts have a traditional-use monograph for the symptoms of the common cold, from age 6, with advice to see a doctor if symptoms last more than 1 week or get worse (EMA). EMA bases this on long-standing ("traditional") use: there is not enough evidence from clinical trials, but the effect is plausible and the herb has been used safely this way for at least 30 years, including at least 15 years in the EU. EMA also reviewed 3 bronchitis trials and found a possible effect on cough, but too many weaknesses to draw firm conclusions.
What studies show: a 2013 Cochrane review included 8 trials. Three trials in adults with acute bronchitis (746 people) and three in children (819) found benefits for most outcomes with the liquid preparation but not tablets, all low-quality evidence. One sinusitis trial (103 adults) and one common cold trial showed effects, both very low-quality evidence, and the reviewers suspected publication bias (Timmer 2013).
Safety: the Cochrane review found side effects were more common than with placebo, but none were serious (Timmer 2013). EMA lists very rare mild stomach and gut complaints, mild nose and gum bleeding and allergic reactions, and says liver problems have also been reported, with unknown frequency.
We could not find a single published half-life or time to peak for pelargonium that applies to a supplement dose, so we do not list one. Plant extracts are mixtures of many compounds, so no single figure would describe them.
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