Perlargonium sidoides roots is the name given to the root extract of a South African species of Perlargonium, which has always been used in African folk medicine for various ailments. At the beginning of the 20th century, C. H. Stevens transferred the root extract to Europe and sold the substance as a remedy for tuberculosis diseases, since, according to him, the extract itself freed him from the disease.
Occurrence and cultivation of Perlagonium sidoides roots.
For medicine, perlagonia is significant mainly in the form of Pelargonium sidoides root extract, which is still used today to treat acute bronchitis. Perlagonias are plants of the snorkel family. The best known species among these plants are hybrid geraniums, which are popular balcony and bedding plants in Central Europe. Perlagonia species are annual plants, some of which also occur as shrubs or semishrubs. Their mostly hairy leaves are often divided or lobed. The flowers are clustered in umbel-like inflorescences. The staminate shafts of Perlagonias are usually long and have bracts. Perlagonias belong to the Cape flora and thus grow mainly in Namibia and South Africa. Some species of Perlagonia are also native to Asia, especially Turkey and Iran. Isolated Perlagonia species also occur in Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand. The Central European geraniums are actually not true Perlagonias in the strict sense, but hybrids of various Perlagonia wild species. In total, there are about 300 different species of the plants, which are mainly used as ornamental plants. The African perlargonia sidoides occupies a special position and is thus also used medicinally.
Effect and application
Perlagonias contain essential oils. In addition to their use as ornamental plants, mainly geraniums are therefore also used for oil extraction, and these oils serve a purpose especially in the perfume industry. The perlagonia species Pelargonium sidoides has now also established itself in medicine. An extract is obtained from its roots, which is contained in the drug Umckaloabo. Umckaloabo was discovered at the beginning of the 20th century by Charles Henry Stevens, who at the time was cured of tuberculosis at the hands of a South African healer. When Stevens returns to Europe, he already sells the healing preparation of the perlagonia root as a tuberculosis remedy. In addition to essential oils, the roots of the South African perlagonia species sidoides also contain coumarins, umckalin and simple phenolic compounds, as well as tannins of the proanthocyanidin type. The aforementioned tannins have anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antioxidant effects, among others. Coumarins, in turn, regulate enzyme activity in the organism. The simple phenols also have blood pressure-lowering, anti-thrombotic, digestive, immunomodulating and, in some cases, even anti-cancer effects. However, most studies on the mode of action of the roots have so far taken place in vitro, i.e. not in living humans. Since an anticoagulant effect is also associated with the root extract, bleeding tendencies in particular are a contraindication to taking it.
Health significance, treatment and prevention.
Capeland Pelargonium sidoides has always played a role for African folk medicine in the treatment of various medical conditions. Through the drug Umckalabo, it has become known as a medicinal plant in the early 20th century to Europe. For medicine, perlagonia is significant mainly in the form of Pelargonium sidoides root extract, which is still used today for the treatment of acute bronchitis and is associated with an antiviral, antibacterial and expectorant effect. The substance has an expectorant effect in that it increases the number of beats of the cilia in the bronchial tubes and thus enables better removal of mucus. Bacteria can no longer migrate into the cells of the respiratory tract. Thus, the extract also fulfills cytoprotective, i.e. cell-protecting functions. With its immunomodulating effects, the root extract also activates the scavenger cells of the immune system, which are responsible for fighting bacteria. The efficacy of the substance in acute bronchitis has now been confirmed by several placebo-controlled double-blind studies in children and adults.Thus, the root extract is said to be able to reduce the duration and severity of acute bronchitis and is suitable for patients from the age of one year. For a long time, the extract was also given for colds and tonsillitis. However, the use for these indications had to be officially abandoned in the meantime. In Switzerland, for example, Perlagonium sidoides roots are now approved only and exclusively for bronchitis. Nevertheless, some self-users still treat themselves with Perlagonia root extracts for sore throats or cold-related complaints. However, the actual efficacy of this has not yet been confirmed beyond doubt. Normally, the extract is taken three times a day, thirty minutes before each meal. The conventional duration of this treatment is usually less than three weeks. Sometimes the ingestion of Perlagonium sidoides roots is accompanied by gastrointestinal discomfort, gum problems or nosebleeds. Since liver problems have also been observed in rare cases, it has been suspected that there may be liver-damaging side effects, but these have not been confirmed in studies to date. In addition to bleeding tendencies, kidney damage and liver disease are nevertheless contraindications to the drug. Pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding should also refrain from taking the drug, as no studies have been conducted in this regard to date and the mode of action cannot be adequately assessed in this way.
