Studies Umckaloabo effective against respiratory infections

The Pelargonium Special Extract EPs® 7630 is significantly superior to placebo in acute respiratory infections. This has resulted in a meta-analysis of 13 studies involving nearly 3400 patients. Studies have shown that the ingredients of Cape Pelargonium activate the immune system, have expectorant properties and help against coughs and runny nose.

Picture: kostrez-fotolia

Now scientists have looked more closely at the effect of a special root extract (Pelargonium special extract EPs® 7630) on its effect on respiratory diseases. They included 13 studies in their meta-analysis. The study populations were of different ages and suffered from either acute bronchitis, sinusitis or tonsillopharyngitis. The studies were all double-blinded and tested the Pelargonium special extract EPs® 7630 (Umckaloabo®) against placebo.

Patients with acute bronchitis benefited much more strongly with verum than with placebo: 20% of the patients were symptom-free with plant extract on the seventh day, compared to only 5% with placebo. At the time, 84% of the verum group were able to work, compared to 51% of the placebo group.

Patients with rhinosinusitis also benefited from Pelargonium extract therapy. The headache had completely disappeared on the seventh day in 17%, on placebo only in 3%.

Sufferers with throat infections were already 40% symptom-free with administration on the fourth day and 28% on placebo. The dysphagia on day 4 had disappeared in 57% of the patients, and in 28% with placebo administration. The study can be found here. (Pm)