Planta Med 2008; 74(6): 661-666
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-993778
Workshop - State of the art in clinical and preclinical studies EPs® 7630 (Umckaloabo®)
Mini Review
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Aqueous Ethanolic Extract of the Roots of Pelargonium sidoides - New Scientific Evidence for an Old Anti-Infective Phytopharmaceutical

Herbert Kolodziej1
  • 1Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Received: October 17, 2007 Revised: November 26, 2007

Accepted: November 27, 2007

Publication Date:
17 January 2008 (online)

Abstract

Among the Pelargonium-based herbal remedies that are widely used in traditional medical systems in the Southern African region is a highly valued root medicine (commonly termed umckaloabo) of initially unknown botanical origin for the treatment of infectious conditions of the respiratory tract including tuberculosis. Nowadays, a modern aqueous-ethanolic formulation of the roots of Pelargonium sidoides (EPs® 7630), developed from this traditional medicine, is successfully employed for the treatment of bronchitis. The article summarizes the fascinating story of this herbal medicine including its way to Europe, identification of the botanical origin, and provides background information of the many profound anti-infectious actions and clinical studies. In spite of considerable effort, the underlying chemical principle is still not clear.

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Herbert Kolodziej

Institute of Pharmacy

Pharmaceutical Biology

Freie Universität Berlin

Königin-Luise-Str. 2 + 4

14195 Berlin

Germany

Phone: +49-30-8385-3731

Fax: +49-30-8385-3729

Email: kolpharm@zedat.fu-berlin.de

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