South African Geranium
Other Names: African Geranium, EPs 7630, Geranien, Geranio Sudafricano, Geranium, Géranium d’Afrique, Géranium d'Afrique du Sud, Géranium du Cap, Geranium Root, Ikhubalo, Icwayiba, i-Yeza lezikali, Kalwerbossi, Khoaara e Nyenyane, Pelargonien, Pelargonio Sudafricano, Pelargonium Root, Pélargonium d’Afrique, Pélargonium du Cap, Pelargonium sidoides, Rabas, Rabassam, Racine de Géranium, Racine de Pélargonium, Umckaloabo, Uvendle, umckaloabo, umcka
South African geranium is a flowering plant that is native to South Africa. Its roots are used for medicine.
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Special Precautions of South African Geranium
- Use of pelargonium may trigger a number of mild to moderate side effects, such as stomach upset. In some cases, pelargonium may worsen existing respiratory symptoms. Additionally, some individuals may experience allergic reactions to pelargonium.
- There's also some concern that use of pelargonium may increase risk of bleeding. Therefore, patients using blood-thinning medications should consult their physician before using pelargonium.
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of South African geranium during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
- “Auto-immune diseases” such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions: South African geranium might cause the immune system to become more active, and this could increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases. If you have one of these conditions, it’s best to avoid using South African geranium.
- Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants) interacts with SOUTH AFRICAN GERANIUM
Benefits and uses of South African Geranium are
Umckaloabo is the Zulu name for the native geranium root used by tribal healers for hundreds of years to remedy colds and respiratory infections. South African geranium is usually used for infections such as bronchitis and sinus infection. Researchers think that it might work by killing bacteria or preventing bacteria from attaching to surfaces within the body. South African geranium might also increase the body's normal response to infection.
- Bronchitis : Research shows that adults and children with bronchitis who start taking a specific South African geranium extract (Umckaloabo, EPs 7630, Schwabe GmBh, Germany) within 48 hours of feeling sick have fewer symptoms after 7 days of treatment. Some studies have also used extracts in tablet form. But the tablets seemed to work only for adults, not children.
- Colds : Pelargonium may help relieve the common cold, suggests a 2007 study published in Explore. For a period of up to 10 days, 103 adults experiencing cold symptoms received either a liquid preparation of pelargonium or a placebo treatment. Results revealed that pelargonium helped reduce the severity of cold symptoms, as well as shorten the duration of sickness. Pelargonium is now widely used as an ingredient in cough and cold syrups.
- Sore Throat and swollen tonsils (tonsillopharyngitis). When given to 6-10 year olds with sore throat and swollen tonsils, South African geranium extract seems to significantly reduce pain and difficulty swallowing after 4 days of treatment. In a 2003 study from Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, researchers found that pelargonium may help treat a strain of strep throat called "non-group A beta hemolytic strep" (or "non-GABHS"). Unlike group A beta-hemolytic strep throat, non-GABHS is typically treated without the use of antibiotics. For the study, 143 children with non-GABHS were given either pelargonium or a placebo for six days. In addition to easing strep throat symptoms more effectively than the placebo, pelargonium was found to shorten the duration of illness by at least two days.
- HIV/AIDS : Scientists from the Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen, Germany have found that South African geranium plant extracts represent a potential new class of anti-HIV-1 agents for the treatment of AIDS.
Main Combinations
- Nose, throat and ear disorders, recurring winter ailments: Echinacea + South African Geranium + Elderberry
- Prevention of nose, throat and ear disorders, recurrent winter ailments: Goji Berry + Echinacea + South African Geranium + Elderberry
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