Umckaloabo

Last Updated: September 28 2022

Pelargonium sidoides, also known as African geranium, is a plant-derived pharmaceutical used to treat acute bronchitis. It may also act as an immune system booster, and alleviate symptoms of the common cold and herpes.

Umckaloabo is most often used for

Summary

Pelargonium sidoides, commonly known as African geranium, is a medicinal herb. It is also sold under the brand names Kaloban and Umckaloabo as a plant-derived pharmaceutical.

Pelargonium sidoides is very effective for treating acute bronchitis. It increases the body’s natural healing rate. Studies have found that 40-60% of patients suffering from acute bronchitis fully resolve their symptoms within a week of Pelargonium sidoides supplementation. Some people reported experiencing benefits after just two to three days. People that are not cured after a week still experience benefits from Pelargonium sidoides supplementation, since it can treat the symptoms associated with bronchitis, including headache, fever, fatigue, cough, chest pain while coughing, sputum in the lungs, rhonchi, and nasal dripping.

Preliminary evidence suggests Pelargonium sidoides can reduce the duration of the common cold, while treating symptoms. It may also provide benefits for people suffering from lung disorders, by alleviating flare-ups in symptoms.

Pelargonium sidoides has anti-infective properties. It prevents bacteria from adhering to cells, helps fight viruses and stimulates the immune system to hunt down invaders.

Pelargonium sidoides may be able to fight Helicobacter pylori infection, which is the stomach bacteria that causes stomach ulcers. Pelargonium sidoides may also reduce the replication of the herpes simplex virus.

What else is Umckaloabo known as?
Note that Umckaloabo is also known as:
  • African Geranium
  • South African Geranium
  • Kaloban EPs7630
  • EPs 7630
  • Umckaloabo
  • Rabas
  • Pelargonium Sidoides
Umckaloabo should not be confused with:
Dosage information

To supplement Pelargonium sidoides, take the patented extract EPS7630, which is an 11% ethanolic root extract.

The extract is concentrated to 1:8-10, so there is some variability with the recommended dosages. To supplement the extract, take 4.5mL of the tincture (30 drops) or 30 mg of the capsules. Dosages vary by age:

• 10 drops (1.5mL) or 10mg of EPs7630 is taken thrice daily before meals for those under six years of age • 20 drops (3.0mL) or 20mg of EPs7630 is taken thrice daily before meals for those between six and twelve • 30 drops (4.5mL) or 30mg of EPs7630 is taken thrice daily before meals for those above twelve years of age

While the vast majority of studies have used EPs7630 specifically, any hydroalcoholic (water and ethanol) extraction equal to 800mg of the plant can be used as an alternative.

Join our supplement information course

Examine Database: Umckaloabo
What works and what doesn't?

Unlock the full potential of Examine

Get started

Don't miss out on the latest research

References
1.^Moyo M, Aremu AO, Gruz J, Subrtová M, Szüčová L, Doležal K, Van Staden JConservation strategy for Pelargonium sidoides DC: Phenolic profile and pharmacological activity of acclimatized plants derived from tissue cultureJ Ethnopharmacol.(2013 Sep 16)
7.^Tabali M, Ostermann T, Jeschke E, Witt CM, Matthes HAdverse drug reactions for CAM and conventional drugs detected in a network of physicians certified to prescribe CAM drugsJ Manag Care Pharm.(2012 Jul-Aug)
10.^Kolodziej H, Kayser O, Radtke OA, Kiderlen AF, Koch EPharmacological profile of extracts of Pelargonium sidoides and their constituentsPhytomedicine.(2003)
13.^Hauer H, Germer S, Elsässer J, Ritter TBenzopyranones and their sulfate esters from Pelargonium sidoidesPlanta Med.(2010 Mar)
16.^Foo LY, Lu Y, Molan AL, Woodfield DR, McNabb WCThe phenols and prodelphinidins of white clover flowersPhytochemistry.(2000 Jun)
21.^Matthys H, Pliskevich DA, Bondarchuk OM, Malek FA, Tribanek M, Kieser MRandomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of EPs 7630 in adults with COPDRespir Med.(2013 May)
23.^Schoetz K, Erdelmeier C, Germer S, Hauer HA detailed view on the constituents of EPs 7630Planta Med.(2008 May)
25.^Luna LA Jr, Bachi AL, Novaes e Brito RR, Eid RG, Suguri VM, Oliveira PW, Gregorio LC, Vaisberg MImmune responses induced by Pelargonium sidoides extract in serum and nasal mucosa of athletes after exhaustive exercise: modulation of secretory IgA, IL-6 and IL-15Phytomedicine.(2011 Feb 15)
27.^Brekhman II, Dardymov IVNew substances of plant origin which increase nonspecific resistanceAnnu Rev Pharmacol.(1969)
39.^Kamin W, Maydannik VG, Malek FA, Kieser MEfficacy and tolerability of EPs 7630 in patients (aged 6-18 years old) with acute bronchitisActa Paediatr.(2010 Apr)
43.^Pal M, Febbraio MA, Whitham MFrom cytokine to myokine: the emerging role of interleukin-6 in metabolic regulationImmunol Cell Biol.(2014 Apr)
45.^Kayser O, Kolodziej H, Kiderlen AFImmunomodulatory principles of Pelargonium sidoidesPhytother Res.(2001 Mar)
47.^Thäle C, Kiderlen A, Kolodziej HAnti-infective mode of action of EPs 7630 at the molecular levelPlanta Med.(2008 May)
48.^Kim CE, Griffiths WJ, Taylor PWComponents derived from Pelargonium stimulate macrophage killing of Mycobacterium speciesJ Appl Microbiol.(2009 Apr)
49.^Kobayashi SD, Voyich JM, Burlak C, DeLeo FRNeutrophils in the innate immune responseArch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz).(2005 Nov-Dec)
51.^Fashner J, Ericson K, Werner STreatment of the common cold in children and adultsAm Fam Physician.(2012 Jul 15)
52.^Labuschagné A, Hussein AA, Rodríguez B, Lall NSynergistic Antimycobacterial Actions of Knowltonia vesicatoria (L.f) SimsEvid Based Complement Alternat Med.(2012)
53.^Conrad A, Jung I, Tioua D, Lallemand C, Carrapatoso F, Engels I, Daschner FD, Frank UExtract of Pelargonium sidoides (EPs 7630) inhibits the interactions of group A-streptococci and host epithelia in vitroPhytomedicine.(2007)
58.^Sethman CR, Doyle RJ, Cowan MMFlow cytometric evaluation of adhesion of Streptococcus pyogenes to epithelial cellsJ Microbiol Methods.(2002 Sep)
59.^Keles S, Artac H, Kara R, Gokturk B, Ozen A, Reisli ITransient hypogammaglobulinemia and unclassified hypogammaglobulinemia: 'similarities and differences'Pediatr Allergy Immunol.(2010 Aug)
62.^Gonzales R, Sande MAUncomplicated acute bronchitisAnn Intern Med.(2000 Dec 19)
63.^Schnitzler P, Schneider S, Stintzing FC, Carle R, Reichling JEfficacy of an aqueous Pelargonium sidoides extract against herpesvirusPhytomedicine.(2008 Dec)
64.^Wittschier N, Lengsfeld C, Vorthems S, Stratmann U, Ernst JF, Verspohl EJ, Hensel ALarge molecules as anti-adhesive compounds against pathogensJ Pharm Pharmacol.(2007 Jun)
67.^Knutson D, Braun CDiagnosis and management of acute bronchitisAm Fam Physician.(2002 May 15)
68.^Flaherty KR, Saint S, Fendrick AM, Martinez FJThe spectrum of acute bronchitis. Using baseline factors to guide empirical therapyPostgrad Med.(2001 Feb)
69.^Hueston WJ, Mainous AG 3rdAcute bronchitisAm Fam Physician.(1998 Mar 15)
71.^Smucny J, Fahey T, Becker L, Glazier R, McIsaac WAntibiotics for acute bronchitisCochrane Database Syst Rev.(2000)
73.^Agbabiaka TB, Guo R, Ernst EPelargonium sidoides for acute bronchitis: a systematic review and meta-analysisPhytomedicine.(2008 May)
74.^Rabe KF, Hurd S, Anzueto A, Barnes PJ, Buist SA, Calverley P, Fukuchi Y, Jenkins C, Rodriguez-Roisin R, van Weel C, Zielinski J; Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung DiseaseGlobal strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: GOLD executive summaryAm J Respir Crit Care Med.(2007 Sep 15)
75.^Jones PW, Quirk FH, Baveystock CM, Littlejohns PA self-complete measure of health status for chronic airflow limitation. The St. George's Respiratory QuestionnaireAm Rev Respir Dis.(1992 Jun)
77.^Teschke R, Frenzel C, Wolff A, Herzog J, Glass X, Schulze J, Eickhoff A Initially purported hepatotoxicity by Pelargonium sidoides: the dilemma of pharmacovigilance and proposals for improvementAnn Hepatol.(2012 Jul-Aug)
78.^de Boer HJ, Hagemann U, Bate J, Meyboom RHAllergic reactions to medicines derived from Pelargonium speciesDrug Saf.(2007)