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DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-993778
© 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
Publication History
Received: October 17, 2007
Revised: November 26, 2007
Accepted: November 27, 2007
Publication Date:
17 January 2008 (online)
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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.
Key words
Pelargonium sidoides - Geraniaceae - Umckaloabo® - EPs® 7630 - Stevens’ Consumption Cure - respiratory tract infections
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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
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Email: kolpharm@zedat.fu-berlin.de