Pelargonium Sidoides Side Effects

Native to the interiors of South Africa, Pelargonium Sidoides (also known as Umckaloabo, Kalwerbossie, Rabassamin, Zucol and South African Geranium) is a medicinal plant whose extracts are used in various forms for treatment of various viral infections and diseases such as common cold, influenza, acute bronchitis, viral throat infection, sore throat, pharyngitis, etc. In fact, it is considered one of the most potent herbs for bronchitis. There are about as many as two hundred and eighty known species of plants under the Pelargonium genus and the majority of them grow in the deep interiors of South Africa.

The appearance of Pelargonium Sidoides plant is similar to that of a geranium plant and it grows in the form of a rosette. The roots are dark-colored and can be as long as 15 centimeters. The stem is not heavily branched and they grow heart-shaped leaves and dark-colored flowers which often assume a deep red to reddish black hue. Let's now proceed to know about the various Pelargonium Sidoides side effects in relation to its therapeutic use by both traditional healers and as commercially marketed formulae.

Pelargonium Sidoides: Side Effects and Contraindications

Before we discuss the various Pelargonium Sidoides side effects, let's first see what are several of its properties and most beneficial and therapeutic uses. Pelargonium Sidoides extracts are high in tannins, flavonoids, phenolic acid, coumarins, cinnamic acid, substituted oligomeric prodelphinidins, unsubstituted oligomeric prodelphinidins, monomeric carbohydrates, oligomeric carbohydrates, peptides, derivatives of purine and greatly substituted benzopyranones. Pelargonium Sidoides extracts work on viral diseases by adapting the production of the antibody immunoglobulin A in the saliva, acting as an immune system booster. Immunoglobulin A plays a vital role in fortifying immunity of the mucous membranes and discharges thereof. Therefore, extracts of Pelargonium Sidoides are extremely effective in arresting viral growths in the throat, mouth and respiratory tract. Practitioners of traditional tribal healing methods (typical to the African tribes of Basuto, Zulu, Mfengu and Xhosa) widely use Pelargonium Sidoides extracts to treat diarrhea, dysentery, fatigue, injuries, wounds, gastritis, respiratory tract infections and tuberculosis besides common cold, flu and acute bronchitis.

However, as is likely with any other therapeutic remedy, treatments involving Pelargonium Sidoides extracts may impart certain unsavory side effects. Most common among these are heartburn, nausea, changes in bowel movement resulting in mild to moderate diarrhea and certain allergic reactions (such as rashes on the skin, breathing difficulties, abnormal heart rate, hives, dizziness, headaches, unconsciousness, headaches, etc.). While most of these side effects, especially the allergic reactions, may surface as a result of intolerance to any of the chemicals present in Pelargonium Sidoides extracts based medications, Pelargonium Sidoides overdose can also lead to many of these unpleasant contraindications such as nausea, stomach pain, abnormal palpitation, unconsciousness, etc. In case any of the serious side effects take place, the patient must be immediately hospitalized as some of these side effects may take fatal and life-threatening forms if left untreated.

Besides being an effective antidote against various disease-causing viruses, Pelargonium Sidoides extracts are also known to have some amount of antibiotic properties and, as such, Pelargonium Sidoides based treatments may be effective against certain bacteria such as mycobacterium and Staphylococcus Aureus. Owing to its antimycobacterial properties, Pelargonium Sidoides extracts are effective in treating tuberculosis. Pelargonium Sidoides based commercial drugs are clinically approved in many countries for treatment of acute bronchial infection in minors as well as adolescents. However, such treatment must be conducted under strict medical supervision. However, the use of Pelargonium Sidoides based medication during pregnancy and lactation is cautioned by medical practitioners. Use of Pelargonium Sidoides based drugs and medications are also strictly prohibited for patients who suffer from or have a history of kidney or liver disease. Pelargonium Sidoides has a two way action of being an anti-bacterial agent and an immune system function modifier and this makes it capable of fighting both bacterial as well as viral invasions.