Rank Species | Genus Pelargonium Higher classification Geraniums | |
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Similar Geraniums, Geraniaceae, Sutherlandia frutescens, Pelargonium odoratissimum, Pelargonium tomentosum | ||
Pelargonium sidoides
Pelargonium sidoides is a medicinal plant native to South Africa. Its common names include umckaloabo and South African geranium. Root extract of Pelargonium sidoides is used as cold and flu medicine under various brand names including Kaloba, Umcka and Zucol. Evidence to support its use is low to very low.
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Medicinal uses
A 2013 Cochrane review found tentative evidence of benefit with Pelargonium sidoides for the symptoms of acute bronchitis, the common cold and acute rhinosinusitis; however, the quality of the evidence was low to very low.
A summary of this review found that all studies were "from the same investigator (the manufacturer) and performed in the same region (Ukraine and Russia)."
References
Pelargonium sidoides Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA