Geraniums for Coughs and Colds?

Pelargonium sidoides (the South African Geranium) is a medicinal plant native to South Africa . It has been used for centuries by Zulu and Basuto people to treat coughs and colds, with reported good effect. A standardized extract of this plant, EPs 7630, has been studied for effectiveness and safety in well-controlled clinical trials, and the Cochrane Collaboration has recently published a comprehensive review of these.

The reviewers found 8 studies that were randomized and placebo-controlled, with what they termed “adequate methodologies”. They covered more than 1,750 patients with acute bronchitis, acute sinusitis, and the common cold; almost half the patients were children from age one upwards. Two trials showed EPs 7630 to be effective in reducing all symptoms of the illness, in particular cough and sputum production. Two of the three trials in children showed resolution of all symptoms. And there was a significant reduction in adults in days off work with the herbal extract. Side effects were slightly more common with the extract than with placebo, but they were not severe.

There seems no doubt that EPs 7630 works, probably as well or better than many cough/cold remedies. This extract, termed Umckaloabo®, is the No. 1 selling cough and cold medicine in Germany , and it’s available under different brand names in 37 countries worldwide. I’m not sure if it’s on direct sale in the USA , but one can buy it online from South Africa or New Zealand .