What effect has the Capeland Pelargonium?
Capeland geranium (Pelargonium sidoides) comes from South Africa. Ingredients of its roots are effective against bacteria and viruses and can influence immune reactions (antibacterial, antiviral and immunomodulating effect).
For example, the coumarins contained seem to be effective against various pathogens of respiratory tract infections – mainly umckalin. Gallic acids are mainly responsible for the stimulating effect on the immune system.
Fields of application of the Capeland Pelargonium
The symptoms of acute bronchitis (acute bronchial infections) can be treated with Cape geranium. The medicinal plant is approved for this field of application.
In discussion is also an application for paranasal sinusitis (sinusitis).
There are indications that the Capeland geranium may also help against diarrhea and tuberculosis. However, evidence from scientific studies is still lacking.
What side effects can Cape Verbena cause?
Very rarely, gastrointestinal discomfort, mild bleeding of the gums and nose occur. Hypersensitivity reactions can also occur in very rare cases. Typical symptoms then include facial swelling, shortness of breath, drop in blood pressure.
Occasional side effects include gastrointestinal complaints such as stomach pain, heartburn, nausea or diarrhea. An increase in liver values may also occur. In isolated cases, liver function damage occurred.
How is Capeland geranium used?
A specific extract from the dried roots of Capeland geranium is used medicinally: EPs 7630 extract is available in the form of finished preparations such as capsules, tablets and drops.
If your symptoms persist for a long time, do not improve or even get worse despite treatment, you should always consult a doctor.
What you should pay attention to when using Capeland Pelargonium
- If possible, do not take the root extract of Cape melicony for more than three weeks.
- Do not use the medicinal plant during pregnancy and lactation because there is insufficient evidence of safety.
- People with an increased tendency to bleed – either congenital or due to the use of anticoagulants (phenprocoumon, warfarin) – must also refrain from using Cape geranium.
- People with severe liver or kidney disease are also advised against taking preparations containing Cape Verbena.
- Stop taking the medicinal plant preparation at least two weeks before a planned surgery.
How to obtain products of Capeland Pelargonium
Ready-to-use medicinal products based on Cape Verbena, such as tablets, capsules, dragées or drops, are available at your pharmacy.
The package leaflet, your doctor or pharmacist will tell you how to dose and use the preparations correctly.
What is the Capeland geranium?
Capeland geranium is a small perennial shrub of the cranesbill family (Geraniaceae), native to the Cape region of South Africa. In our country the Capeland Pelargonium is only known as an ornamental plant. It reaches a height of 20 to 80 centimeters.
Its heart-shaped leaves appear silvery-glossy thanks to numerous glandular hairs. The shrub is adorned with small dark red to black flowers. The tuberous root (Pelargonii sidoides radix) serves, among other things, as a water reservoir and allows the shrub to survive dry periods.
How did the medicinal plant come to Europe?
The Englishman took the novel medicine with him to England. In 1920, a former missionary doctor learned about the healing power of Capeland pelargonium and in the following years treated more than 800 tuberculosis patients with the root decoction. After the doctor published his treatment results in 1930, the root of the Capeland Pelargonium was approved in Europe for the treatment of tuberculosis.
Today, it is no longer used for this purpose because more effective agents such as antibiotics are available. Instead, Capeland’s geranium is now primarily used to treat acute bronchitis.
