Plant Profile

Pelargonium

Compiled by the Omnia Sana editorial team from the plant database ·Last updated August 15, 2026
Pelargonium sidoides
Family: Geraniaceae  ·  Parts used: Root (standardised extract EPs 7630)  ·  Also known as: Umckaloabo, South African geranium, Black geranium

Common names in 4 European languages →

The complete database record: 2 documented constituents, 2 pharmacological actions, 6 traditional / indicated uses, with 13 cited sources.

Botanical Description

Low-growing herbaceous perennial (Geraniaceae) with a thick, dark, tuberous rootstock. Long-stalked, heart- to kidney-shaped, greyish-green, softly hairy leaves form a basal rosette. Slender flowering stems bear small, dark red to almost black, five-petalled flowers. The thick tuberous root is the medicinal part, used as the standardised extract EPs 7630.

Height: Low, basal rosette (flowering stems taller)
Habit: Low-growing herbaceous perennial, basal rosette
Leaves: Long-stalked, heart- to kidney-shaped, greyish-green, softly hairy
Flowers: Small, dark red to almost black, five-petalled
Stem: Slender flowering stems above a basal leaf rosette
Root: Thick, dark, tuberous rootstock - the medicinal part
Fruit: Small beaked capsule (typical Geraniaceae schizocarp)
Flowering Period: Spring-summer (native range, Southern Hemisphere)

Habitat & Distribution

Native to the grasslands of the Eastern Cape and Free State regions of South Africa and Lesotho, growing on rocky, well-drained grassland slopes at moderate to high altitude.

Harvesting

The thick tuberous root is dug from mature plants - wild-harvested and increasingly cultivated - then cleaned and dried before being processed into the standardised ethanolic extract (EPs 7630) used commercially.

Parts: Root
Season: Harvested from mature plants; specific season not standardised in the bucket

Key Constituents

Highly oxygenated coumarins (umckalin)[12]

Characteristic root constituents with antibacterial activity.

Coumarins
Polyphenols and proanthocyanidins (gallic acid derivatives)[12]

Contribute to the antiviral and immunomodulatory effects.

ProanthocyanidinsGallic acidPhenolic compounds

Pharmacological Actions

Antiviral[2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12]

Antiviral and immunomodulatory (mechanism of action)

Immunomodulator / immune support[1, 6, 7, 9, 12]

Antiviral and immunomodulatory (mechanism of action)

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Bronchitis[2, 5, 12]Good · 8/10

Acute bronchitis - reduces symptom severity and shortens illness

Evidence: 8
Label: Bronchitis

more plants for bronchitis →detailed sources →

Cold & flu[2]Good · 7/10

Common cold and acute respiratory tract infection

Evidence: 7
Label: Cold & flu

more plants for cold & flu →detailed sources →

Immune support[12]Preliminary · 2/10

inferred from immunomodulator action

Evidence: 2
Label: Immune support

more plants for immune support →detailed sources →

Infection (general)[2]Good · 7/10

Common cold and acute respiratory tract infection

Evidence: 7
Label: Infection (general)

more plants for infection (general) →detailed sources →

Sinusitis[2, 13]Good · 8/10

Rhinosinusitis (sinusitis) support

Evidence: 8
Label: Sinusitis

more plants for sinusitis →detailed sources →

Sore throat[2]Good · 7/10

Sore throat / acute tonsillopharyngitis

Evidence: 7
Label: Sore throat

more plants for sore throat →detailed sources →

Traditional Use & History

Known locally as 'Umckaloabo', Pelargonium sidoides root has a long history of traditional use by South African indigenous peoples for respiratory and gastrointestinal complaints, and was popularised in Europe in the early 20th century as a tuberculosis remedy. Its modern use, now well supported by clinical trials, is as a standardised extract (EPs 7630) for acute bronchitis, the common cold and other upper respiratory tract infections.[2, 12]

Preparations

Standardised liquid extract (EPs 7630)[2, 12]

The clinically studied commercial form, taken as drops or syrup for acute bronchitis and upper respiratory tract infections.

Dosage

Standardised extract (EPs 7630)[2]

Clinical trials have used the standardised commercial extract per product labelling for acute bronchitis and respiratory infections in both adults and children; dosing (drops or syrup) differs by age, so follow product-specific instructions. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note[2, 12]Info

Generally well tolerated; the main effects are mild gastrointestinal upset or, rarely, an allergic skin reaction. Rare reports of liver injury mean you should stop and seek advice if signs of liver problems occur.

Safety note[2]Caution

The coumarin content gives a theoretical bleeding risk, so use caution with anticoagulant medicines; use in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended.

Harvest Readiness

Part: root
Notes: GAP (documented dead end, re-searched 2026-08-15). No source states a root-harvest stage for Pelargonium sidoides. Useful Tropical Plants has no record; Wikipedia gives no harvest timing; SANBI PlantZAfrica gives the growth cycle only - 'In its natural habitat this plant is able to withstand the winter dry, cold season by going dormant and shooting again from the roots when the rains come' - which is a dormancy statement, not a harvest rule, and was not converted into one. Cultivation research indicates tubers need roughly 8-9 years to regain unharvested wild biomass, but that is a sustainability finding rather than a readiness stage. Next seam: a South African cultivation or sustainable-harvest guideline that states a digging season.

External Identifiers

GBIF ›Wikidata ›

References & Sources

  1. Moyo, M. and Van Staden, J (2014) 'Medicinal properties and conservation of Pelargonium sidoides DC', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 152(2), pp. 243-255. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2014.01.009 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2014.01.009
  2. Careddu, D. and Pettenazzo, A (2018) 'Pelargonium sidoides extract EPs 7630: a review of its clinical efficacy and safety for treating acute respiratory tract infections in children', International Journal of General Medicine. doi:10.2147/IJGM.S154198 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.2147/IJGM.S154198
  3. Timmer, A., Gunther, J., Rucker, G., Motschall, E., Antes, G. and Kern, W.V (2008) 'Pelargonium sidoides extract for acute respiratory tract infections', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (3), pp. CD006323. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006323.pub2 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD006323.pub2
  4. Timmer, A., Gunther, J., Motschall, E., Rucker, G., Antes, G. and Kern, W.V (2013) 'Pelargonium sidoides extract for treating acute respiratory tract infections', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2013(10), pp. CD006323. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006323.pub3 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD006323.pub3
  5. Agbabiaka, T.B., Guo, R. and Ernst, E (2008) 'Pelargonium sidoides for acute bronchitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis', Phytomedicine, 15(5), pp. 378--385. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2007.11.023 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2007.11.023
  6. Kayser, O., Kolodziej, H. and Kiderlen, A.F (2001) 'Immunomodulatory principles of Pelargonium sidoides', Phytotherapy Research, 15(2), pp. 122-126. doi:10.1002/ptr.785 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.785
  7. Kolodziej, H. and Kiderlen, A.F (2006) 'In vitro evaluation of antibacterial and immunomodulatory activities of Pelargonium reniforme, Pelargonium sidoides and the related herbal drug preparation EPs 7630', Phytomedicine, 14(Suppl 6), pp. 18-26. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2006.11.020 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2006.11.020
  8. Gokce, S., Dortkardesler, B.E., Yurtseven, A. and Kurugol, Z (2021) 'Effectiveness of Pelargonium sidoides in pediatric patients diagnosed with uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection: a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study', European Journal of Pediatrics, 180(9), pp. 3019-3028. doi:10.1007/s00431-021-04211-y Randomized trial
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-021-04211-y
  9. Kolodziej, H (2011) 'Antimicrobial, Antiviral and Immunomodulatory Activity Studies of Pelargonium sidoides (EPs 7630) in the Context of Health Promotion', Pharmaceuticals, 4(10), pp. 1295-1314. doi:10.3390/ph4101295 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.3390/ph4101295
  10. Roth, M., Fang, L., Stolz, D. and Tamm, M (2019) 'Pelargonium sidoides radix extract EPs 7630 reduces rhinovirus infection through modulation of viral binding proteins on human bronchial epithelial cells', PLoS One, 14(2), pp. e0210702. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0210702 Clinical study
    https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0210702
  11. Willcox, M., Simpson, C., Wilding, S., Stuart, B., Soilemezi, D., Whitehead, A., Morgan, A., Wrixon, E., Zhu, S., Yao, G., Webley, F., Yan, R., Bostock, J., Bell, M., Griffiths, G., Leydon, G., Little, P., Butler, C., Hay, A.D. and Moore, M (2021) 'Pelargonium sidoides root extract for the treatment of acute cough due to lower respiratory tract infection in adults: a feasibility double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised trial', BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 21(1), pp. 48. doi:10.1186/s12906-021-03206-4 Randomized trial
    https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-021-03206-4
  12. Conrad, A., Kolodziej, H. and Schulz, V (2007) 'Pelargonium sidoides-extract (EPs 7630): registration confirms efficacy and safety', Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift. doi:10.1007/s10354-007-0434-6 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s10354-007-0434-6
  13. Koch, A.K., Klose, P., Lauche, R., Cramer, H., Baasch, J., Dobos, G.J. and Langhorst, J (2016) 'A Systematic Review of Phytotherapy for Acute Rhinosinusitis', Forschende Komplementarmedizin, 23(3), pp. 165--169. doi:10.1159/000447467 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.1159/000447467

This fact sheet is generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and reflects its latest synced data. It is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. How this site is built.

Selected studies & references

ReviewPelargonium sidoides extract EPs 7630: a review of its clinical efficacy and safety for treating acute respiratory tract infections in children source↗ (2018)
ReviewA Systematic Review of Phytotherapy for Acute Rhinosinusitis source↗ (2016)
ReviewMedicinal properties and conservation of Pelargonium sidoides DC. source↗ (2014)
ReviewPelargonium sidoides extract for treating acute respiratory tract infections source↗ (2013)
ReviewAntimicrobial, Antiviral and Immunomodulatory Activity Studies of Pelargonium sidoides (EPs 7630) in the Context of Health Promotion source↗ (2011)
ReviewPelargonium sidoides extract for acute respiratory tract infections source↗ (2008)
ReviewPelargonium sidoides for acute bronchitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis source↗ (2008)
RctEffectiveness of Pelargonium sidoides in pediatric patients diagnosed with uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection: a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study source↗ (2021)

All 13 studies in the Knowledge Finder →

Educational use only. This profile summarises traditional and scientific sources for reference. It is not medical advice and not a substitute for a qualified practitioner. Some plants carry safety cautions and drug interactions - always check before use.
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.

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