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Pelargonienwurzelextrakt

Pelargoniumroot extract is made from the root of the South African Cape geranium. Pelargonium root extract is used as a medicine. Pelargonium root extract was first advertised in the UK in 1897 for the treatment of tuberculosis. It was marketed by Charles Henry Stevens and was known as "Stevens' Cure". Pelargonium root extract went out of fashion after antibiotics were developed in the middle of the 20th century. Today, geranium root extract is used to treat upper respiratory tract infections including bronchitis, sinusitis, sore throats, tonsillitis and colds. It is also used for sexually transmitted diseases such as herpes and gonorrhea. Other uses include diarrhea and dysentery.

How does geranium root extract work?

Pelargonium root extract is commonly used for infections such as bronchitis and sinus infections. Scientists believe that it may work by killing bacteria or preventing bacteria from attaching to surfaces in the body. Pelargonium root extract may also enhance the body's normal response to infection.

How effective is geranium root extract?

Pelargonium root extract is likely to be effective when used for bronchitis. Scientific research shows that adults and children suffering from bronchitis who start taking a specific pelargonium root extract (Umckaloabo, EPs 7630, Schwabe GmBh) within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms show fewer symptoms after 7 days of treatment. Some studies have used extracts in tablet form, but tablets only seem to work in adults and not in children. Pelargonium root extract may be effective for sore throats and swollen tonsils. When given to children between the ages of 6 and 10 who suffer from a sore throat or swollen tonsils, geranium root extract appears to significantly reduce pain and difficulty swallowing after 4 days of treatment.

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of geranium root extract for the following conditions.

Swollen sinuses due to infection: New research suggests that taking geranium root extract may help reduce symptoms and cure sinusitis after 21 days of treatment.

Common cold: New research suggests that taking pelargonium root extract may help reduce symptoms and cure a common cold after 10 days of treatment.

There is also not enough scientific information on the effectiveness of pelargonium root extract for tuberculosis and diarrhea. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of pelargonium root extract in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Pelargonium root extract appears to be safe and harmless when taken orally for 2 weeks or less. There is not enough information to say whether prolonged use is safe. Pelargonium root extract can cause stomach problems in some people. Some people are allergic to geranium root extract.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Not enough is known about the use of pelargonium root extract during pregnancy and breastfeeding. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid pelargonium root extract.

"Autoimmune diseases" such as multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis or others: Pelargonium root extract could cause the immune system to become more active and this could exacerbate the symptoms of autoimmune diseases. For this reason, it is best to avoid pelargonium root extract if you suffer from any of these conditions.

Interactions

Care should be taken when combining pelargonium root extract with the following medications:

Medications that reduce the function of the immune system. Pelargonium root extract appears to improve the function of the immune system. By improving the function of the immune system, pelargonium root extract may reduce the effectiveness of drugs that reduce the function of the immune system.

Dosage

The following dosages have been investigated in scientific studies:

Oral

For bronchitis: 30 drops (about 1.5 ml) three times a day or 10 to 30 mg tablets three times a day of a specific pelargonium root extract (Umckaloabo, EPs 7630, Schwabe GmBh) for 7 days. For children between 7 and 12 years of age, 20 drops of this extract three times a day. For children under 6 years of age, 10 drops of this extract three times a day. Some studies have come to the conclusion that the tablet form is not effective in children.

For sore throats and swollen tonsils in children between 6 and 10 years of age: 20 drops of a specific extract of geranium root (Umckaloabo, EPs 7630, Schwabe GmBh) three times a day (about 3 ml per day) for 7 days.

References

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  4. de Boer, H. J., Hagemann, U., Bate, J., and Meyboom, R. H. Allergic reactions to medicines derived from Pelargonium species. Drug Saf 2007;30(8):677-680. view abstract.
  5. Fukuda, H., Kishii, R., Takei, M., and Hosaka, M. Contributions of the 8-methoxy group of gatifloxacin to resistance selectivity, target preference, and antibacterial activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae. Antimicrob.Agents Chemother. 2001;45(6):1649-1653. view abstract.
  6. Koch E, Lanzendörfer-Goossens Wohn C. Stimulation of interferon (IFN)-â-synthesis and natural killer (NK) cell activity by an aqueous-ethanolic extract from roots of Pelargonium sidoides (Umckaloabo). Naunyn-Schmiederberg's Arch Pharmacol 2002;365 (suppl 1):R75.
  7. Kolodziej, H., Burmeister, A., Trun, W., Radtke, O. A., Kiderlen, A. F., Ito, H., Hatano, T., Yoshida, T., and Foo, L. Y. Tannins and related compounds induce nitric oxide synthase and cytokines gene expressions in Leishmania major-infected macrophage-like RAW 264.7 cells. Bioorg.Med Chem 12-1-2005;13(23):6470-6476. view abstract.
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  9. Matthys, H. and Heger, M. Treatment of acute bronchitis with a liquid herbal drug preparation from Pelargonium sidoides (EPs 7630): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre study. Curr Med Res Opin. 2007;23(2):323-331. View abstract.
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  12. Noldner, M. and Schotz, K. Inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced sickness behavior by a dry extract from the roots of Pelargonium sidoides (EPs 7630) in mice. Phytomedicine 2007;14 Suppl 6:27-31. view abstract.
  13. Schulz, V. Liquid herbal drug preparation from the root of Pelargonium sidoides is effective against acute bronchitis: results of a double-blind study with 124 patients. Phytomedicine 2007;14 Suppl 6:74-75. View abstract.
  14. Trun, W., Kiderlen, A. F., and Kolodziej, H. Nitric oxide synthase and cytokines gene expression analyses in Leishmania-infected RAW 264.7 cells treated with an extract of Pelargonium sidoides (Eps 7630). Phytomedicine 2006;13(8):570-575. view abstract.
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  25. Kolodziej H, Kayser O, Radtke OA, et al. Pharmacological profile of extracts of Pelargonium sidoides and their constituents. Phytomedicine 2003;10 Suppl 4:18-24. view abstract.
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  29. Matthys H, Lizogub VG, Malek FA, Kieser M. Efficacy and tolerability of EPs 7630 tablets in patients with acute bronchitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled dose-finding study with a herbal drug preparation from Pelargonium sidoides. Curr Med Res Opin 2010;26:1413-22. view abstract.
  30. Schnitzler P, Schneider S, Stintzing FC, et al. Efficacy of an aqueous Pelargonium sidoides extract against herpesvirus. Phytomedicine 2008;15:1108-16. view abstract.
  31. Schotz K, Noldner M. Mass spectroscopic characterization of oligomeric proanthocyanidins derived from an extract of Pelargonium sidoides roots (EPs 7630) and pharmacological screening in CNS models. Phytomedicine 2007;14 Suppl 6:32-9. view abstract.
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