This document summarizes information about the medicinal plant Pelargonium sidoides and its use for treating colds and flu. In 3 sentences: Pelargonium sidoides is an African plant that has been used traditionally to treat respiratory illnesses and is the subject of over 20 clinical studies showing it can reduce the duration and severity of colds and flu; the plant has antibacterial, antiviral, and expectorant properties and works by preventing bacteria/viruses from attaching to cells while boosting immunity; major companies have found commercial success with Pelargonium sidoides products and it is approved for use in Europe as a herbal medicine and food supplement.

1. Pelargonium
S I D O I D E S
n at u r a l
c o l d s
& f l u
b u s t e r
Organic
Certified

2. Our Vision
Our vision is to identify and develop new medicines
from the vast botanical resources in Southern Africa
Our Values
We honour the inherent value of African medicinal
herbs. We respect nature and strive to employ the best
practices in sustainable wild harvesting. We strive to
uplift the communities we work with by developing
profit sharing and skills development partnerships with
indigenous people.
Our Mission
Afrigetics wish to introduce to world to the immense
healing power of African botanical resources. We
are committed to developing commercially viable
ingredients and developing strong supply chains to
deliver our product to the international
wellness market.
Natural
Africa Science

3. MESSAGE
from
our CEO
In this brochure I want to introduce you to our
flagship product, Pelargonium sidoides, a plant
that has significant commercial and healing
potential in the world of natural cold and flu
phytomedicines.
As the CEO of Afrigetics I look forward to
developing partnerships that ensure our mutual
success through doing business in a way that is
ethical, innovative and dynamically responsive
to the continually changing needs of our global
natural products marketplace. Our goal is to be
the trusted experts in the supply of Pelargonium to
the global marketplace and to offer you a reliable
and accredited supply chain with our range of
innovative products.
Pelargonium is proven
to reduce the duration
and severity of the
common cold.
Steven Hurt
Owner & Director
Afrigetics Botanicals
Why should you be
interested in
Pelargonium
sidoides?
#1
#2
The commercial success records
of KalobaTM
and Umcka ColdCareTM
with reported sales of over EUR80 m
in 2006 alone.
Sales for the cough, cold, flu,
and allergy remedy market are
constantly on the rise, especially
in the natural products category.
Clinically
Proven
Over 20 clinical trials and
many other studies have
been done on Pelargonium
sidoides and the results are
outstanding.
Commercial
Success Stories
Market
Growth
#3

4. Afrigetics is rooted in African ethnopharmacology.
We are experts in traditional medicinal knowledge
and our team maintain strong ties with local plant
users. We are leaders in sustainable harvesting
and diligent partners with rural harvesters.
Afrigetics is committed to combining twentieth
century innovation with ancient African indigenous
knowledge. Our products are backed-by-science,
Afrigetics has research partnerships with a
number of South African universities. We have a
proven track record as reliable exporters and are
pioneering novel processing techniques to bring
our clients tailor-made raw materials and extracts.
Afrigetics is driven by superior quality, we
believe our standards of food safety set us apart.
Afrigetics has invested in a state of the art quality
assurance system with FSSC 22000 accreditation.
This Food Safety System Certification
demonstrates our company’s robust and effective
management system. Our reliable team are well
positioned to meet the requirements of regulators,
food business clients and consumers. In addition,
Afrigetics are licenced distributors of indigenous
flora and FDA registered.
Afrigetics are passionate about discovering,
protecting and developing African botanical
wisdom. We are poised to unlock the tremendous
potential of African medicinal herbs and bring
these resources to a global platform. We wish to
share the success of the African pharmacopeia with
the world and we believe the star of our medicine
chest is undoubtedly the African pelargonium.
Afrigetics seeks to empower our clients to reap
the benefits of these valued botanicals in their
products, thus enabling others to share in the
healing power of nature.
The Afrigetics Story
Afrigetics is a leading exporter of Southern African medicinal herbs.
Our award-winning team prides itself on providing superior African
healing plants to the international market.
“We believe that the botanical re-
sources of Africa may hold the key to
the treatment of major medical and
health ailments and, we want to be at
the forefront of these discoveries…”
Organic
Certified

5. Precious
Pelargonium
Africa’s natural relief
for colds, flu and
respiratory tract infections.

6. Pelargonium sidoides is a small and
humble shrub that grows abundantly
in the sun warmed, stony soil of
the South African Eastern Cape
and Lesotho grasslands. Known
locally by its common name, African
geranium, it can be found nestled
beneath tall grasses and aromatic
floral neighbours on coastal slopes.
The small indigenous herb has soft,
velvety textured grey-green leaves
and dark magenta coloured flowers.
This insignificant looking plant
however contains a treasure trove of
medicinal compounds and has been
part of local healing practices for
millennia. Pelargonium is an example
of nature’s immune boosting and
pathogen fighting power. It is
celebrated as Afrigetics Botanicals’
flagship commercial herb.
Perfect
pelargonium,
natures
powerhouse
Shipped from
Cape Town
Processed in
Eden District
Harvested
in Lesotho

7. The drug is listed
in the European
and African
Pharmacopoeia
and has European
approval as a herbal
medicine and food
supplement.
The original hunter gatherer inhabitants of Southern
Africa, the Koi-San, knew of this herb and used
it for the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery.
Knowledge of the small bush later fell into the
hands of the Cape Dutch colonists, who christened
it Rooirabas, perhaps for its red tinted tuberous
roots. Herdsmen dubbed the plant “Kalverbossie”,
meaning ‘calf bush’ and used the woody twisted
underground rhizomes to treat stomach complaints
in their animals. It served in Cape herbal medicine as
a tonic for weakness, fatigue and in the treatment of
gonorrhoea.
The ethnobotanical potential of African Geranium
was brought to Europe in the early 1900’s after a
young explorer called Charles Henry Stevens was
treated in South Africa for his pulmonary tuberculosis
by a local healer. A bitter tea made of the roots of
the plant drove his illness into remission. He then
used the Umckaloabo herb to develop “Stevens’
Consumption Cure” and marketed it in England. It
wasn’t until the 1970’s, well after Steven’s death that
the plant ingredient of his remedy was identified as
Pelargonium.
African
Ethnobotanical
Origins
In the 1990’s, a German drug manufacturer, Schwabe
Pharmaceuticals, developed a highly popular herbal
cough syrup called “Umckaloabo” containing
liquid extract Eps7630. In 2006, this company
sold more than EUR80 million of this pelargonium
based product. The drug is listed in the European
and African Pharmacopoeia and has European
approval as a herbal medicine and food supplement.
Schwabe’s withdrawal of the patents for this
medicine in 2010 has allowed other pharmaceutical
companies to follow suit and explore the potential of
this natural remedy.

8. SU
PPLY
BENEFIT
Sustainable
Sourcing
Currently P. sidoides is listed on the Red Data List
of South Africa’s species as of ‘least concern’, they
state that less than 5% of the local population
is being impacted by harvesting (Red Data List,
2017). Even so, strict controls by the South African
Department of Environmental Affairs require
collectors to obtain a bioprospecting licence. Within
the constraints of the Biodiversity Act, our primary
processors identifies areas of wild cultivation and
trains harvesters in rural areas to identify and
collect the Pelargonium. Care is taken to prevent
overharvesting of the underground tuberous roots
and so to provide a supply for posterity, protect
the herb from extinction and to provide an ongoing
livelihood for local collectors.
Many of the collectors subcontracted by our primary
processors are elderly members in their communities
with rich traditional knowledge of indigenous plants.
Harvesters actively propagate the plant material
as it is collected, by breaking off aerial shoots and
replanting the cuttings. They leave the deeper, more
mature roots in the soil, to allow for rapid regrowth
after harvesting. In addition to supplementing
their income, and under the stipulations of the
Biodiversity Act, local collectors and land owners
profit from a benefit sharing agreement where a
rand value of their harvest is paid into a government
controlled ‘Bioprospecting Trust Fund’ for
distribution within the community.
Afrigetics Botanicals recognises that despite its best
efforts, currently well managed wild stocks may be
subject to depletion in the future and are actively
working with the University of Stellenbosch towards
refining a cultivation system for P. sidoides. Plant
breeding practices will be used to identify cultivars
with the highest levels of active ingredients and
grow these on specialized farms in the Eden District
using ecological cultivation methods.
With this aim in mind, our primary processing
partners have entered into a benefit sharing
agreement with the indigenous communities of
Southern Africa who harvest our herbs through a
network of 350 families. Furthermore, as licensed
collaborators of a bio-prospectors permit, we are
poised to continue unlocking the potential of Africa’s
Green Gold, for many years to come.
Afrigetics Botanicals
recognises the immense
value in South Africa’s
indigenous medicinal plants
and works in partnership
with KP Botanicals to
provide a sustainable
long-term supply of wild
harvested Pelargonium.

9. Traditional herbal
medicinal product
for the symptomatic
treatment of the
common cold
prevents bacteria
from sticking to
the cells lining
the respiratory
system
stimulates white
blood cells
to attack and
destroy bacteria
immune system
support by
producing
defensins to
protect cells
causes cilia to
beat faster and
to expel mucous
& bacteria
mucolytic effect
helps to dissolve
thick mucus in
airways
produces
interferon that
‘interferes’ with
virus replication
Pelargonium acts by preventing bacteria from
sticking to the cells lining the respiratory system
and by stimulating white blood cells to attack and
destroy these invading bacteria. The chemicals
contained in this medicine also help to support
the immune system by producing specific proteins,
called defensins, to protect cells from invasion. The
antiviral properties of P. sidoides lies in its ability to
stimulate the body’s cells to produce interferon, a
chemical that ‘interferes’ with virus replication. Its
antibacterial effect is attributed to chemicals in the
extract causing the tiny hair-like projections which
line our respiratory tract, called cilia, to beat faster
and to expel mucous. In addition, chemicals found in
the plant have a mucolytic effect, helping to dissolve
thick mucus in the airways.
There is no cure for the common cold, since it is
spread by a virus, but Pelargonium has been proven
to aid healing. This herbal medicine has been shown
to be safe and effective and may form an important
alternative to antibiotics.
Many pharmaceutical companies use ethanol to
extract the active ingredients from the pelargonium
root. These extracts have proven effective for the
treatment of respiratory tract infections including
bronchitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis and the common cold.
Clinical trials have shown the medicine to reduce
Pharmacological
Action
both the duration and severity of these illnesses.
One such preparation, Eps7630, prepared by
Schwabe Pharmaceuticals has been the subject of
over 20 clinical studies, involving 9000 people.
Pelargonium’s success as a cold and flu buster is
unsurprising as over half of general practitioner’s
visits involve patients complaining of upper
respiratory tract infections. Adults can suffer from
as many as four colds annually and young children
get up to 12 times per year. It is considered to be
the single largest cause of work and school related
absenteeism. Antibiotics are generally considered
to be ineffective for most cases of colds and flu, yet
treatment is clearly needed.
The dried rhizomes of P. sidoides contain a host of
chemical compounds. Among these are polyphenols
including gallic acids. Polyphenols are a group of
plant chemicals which give foods a bitter taste,
represent potent plant defence chemicals and often
act as powerful antioxidants. Root extracts are rich in
coumarins, including a unique phytochemical called
‘umckalin’. In addition, the remedy contains powerful
flavonoids including quercetin, catechin and
gallocatechin. These plant nutrients are responsible
for vivid colour in fruit and vegetables and have anti-
inflammatory and immune boosting properties.
P e l a r g o n i u m S i d o i d e s

10. three-way effect
Pelargonium has been shown to have a three-way effect
The Pelargonium sidoides
extract prevents bacteria from
attaching to cells in mucous
membranes.1
Pelargonium sidoides
extracts inhibit the
adherence of bacteria such
as Streptococcus pyogenes
and Helicobacter pylori to
epithelial cells in vitro.
Furthermore, ciliated cells
isolated from the nasal
epithelium enhanced their
ciliary beat frequency in the
presence of these extracts,
which should allow a better
removal of excess mucous
and bacteria.
Antibacterial
Similarly, Pelargonium
sidoides prevents viruses
from attaching to the
mucous membrane cells and
stimulates the body’s immune
system in such a way that
both bacteria and viruses are
prevented from multiplying.1
In vitro, the extracts show
efficacy against cellular
infections with influenza
virus, HSV, EMCV, RSV,
coronavirus, parainfluenza
virus, and coxsackie virus,
and this appears to be
mainly mediated indirectly by
inhibition of virus attachment
and spreading.
Antiviral EXPECTORANT
The extract acts as an
expectorant, allowing the
body to expel contaminated
mucous, making conditions
less suitable for the
multiplication of the bacteria
and viruses – can only find
animal data.
The three-way effect attacks
the acute infection at its
root, the stabilisation of the
immune system prevents a re-
infection and the vicious circle
of infection, a short recovery
phase and new infection is
broken.
1. Witte K, Koch E, Volk H-D, Wolk K, Sabat R. The Pelargonium sidoides Extract EPs 7630 Drives the Innate Immune Defense by Activating Selected MAP Kinase
Pathways in Human Monocytes. PLOS ONE 2015;1-13. | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0138075

11. Clinical Studies
Summary of Clinical Studies into Efficacy
of Pelargonium sidoides extract EPs 7630
The efficacy of the Pelargonium sidoides extract
against a number of bacterial and viral infections
has been well researched. This extract has been the
subject of over 20 clinical studies involving more
than 9,000 patients, including children as young as
one year (Brown, 2009). It has been shown to safely
and effectively treat acute upper respiratory tract
infections such as bronchitis, tonsillopharyngitis,
sinusitis and the common cold. The following is a
summary of some of the clinical data available:
Tonsillitis
Professor V.V. Bereznoy MD, treated over 140
children with bacterial tonsillitis in a placebo-
controlled trial in Kiev in 2003. His treated
approximately half the children with Eps 7630
(manufactured by Schwabe Pharmaceuticals) and
the remainder with a placebo. The children took
3ml of the extract per day for 6 days. Researchers
in this study monitored pain, difficulty swallowing,
salivation, redness, fever and headache, using a
‘tonsillitis severity score’. Bereznoy’s study confirmed
the superiority of Pelargonium sidoides extract
compared to the placebo. The study demonstrated
the ability of Pelargonium sidoides extract to reduce
the severity of all five symptoms, shortened the
duration of the illness and protected patients from
complications.
Rapid recovery was observed in three quarters of
the patients treated with Pelargonium sidoides
extract and a third of those treated with the placebo.
Bereznoy (2003) points out that more than half of
the Pelargonium sidoides extract group were able
to get out of bad after two days of treatment. In the
placebo group, however, more than half the patients
were either still in bed on day 4 or had abandoned
the study because of a lack of efficacy. This
reduction in bed rest of 48 hours under Pelargonium
sidoides extract, compared with the placebo, shows
the benefit of this treatment. Indeed, it is more than
double the reported benefit of antibiotic treatment
at 16 hours (Del Mar, 2001). Six days after beginning
treatment, 80% of the Pelargonium sidoides extract
group were back at school, whereas only 20% of the
placebo group were able to resume school (Bereznoy
et al, 2003).
Bronchitis
Matthys et al, (2003) studied the efficacy of
Pelargonium sidoides extract in adults with acute
bronchitis. The group of researchers conducted
a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
trial on over 450 patients. This study found that
Pelargonium sidoides extract was superior in efficacy
compared to placebo in the treatment of adults
with acute bronchitis. Treatment with Pelargonium
sidoides extract clearly reduced the severity of
symptoms, duration of illness and shortened the time
taken off work by nearly 2 days (Matthys et al, 2003).
Further observational studies by Haidvogl and Heger
(2007) examined the effect of Pelargonium sidoides

12. their cold symptoms including; nasal discharge,
sore throat, nasal congestion, sneezing, hoarseness,
cough, headache, muscle aches, and fever. Lizogub,
Riley and Herger (2009) report that Pelargonium
sidoides extract represents an effective treatment
of the common cold. After 10 days, 78.8% of the
Pelargonium sidoides extract group was clinically
cured compared with 31.4% in the placebo group.
The Pelargonium sidoides extract group returned to
work on average of 2 days earlier than the placebo
group.
In conclusion, clinical trials have shown that P.
sidoides extract is an effective treatment for a
number of upper respiratory tract infections.
Kolodziej (2011) points to the reasons for its
therapeutic effects; antibacterial activity, antiviral
activity, immune stimulation and an increase in
ciliary beat frequency.
Bibliography
Bachert, C. et al. 2009, ‘Treatment of acute rhinosinusitis with the preparation
from Pelargonium sidoides EPs 7630: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-
controlled trial’, Rhinology, Vol. 47, no. 1, pp 51-58
Bereznoy, V. et al. 2003, ‘Efficacy of extract of Pelargonium sidoides
in children with acute non-group A Beta-Hemolytic Streptococcal
Tonsillopharyngitis; A randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial’,
Alternative Therapies, Vol. 9, no. 5, pp 68-79
Brown, D. 2009, ‘Pelargonium sidoides Extract (EPs 7630) Alternative
Treatment of Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infections’, Natural Medicine
Journal, Vol. 1, issue 12,
Del Mar, C. Glasziou, P. Spinks, A. 2001, ‘Antibiotics for Sore Throat’, The
Cochrane Library, Issue 1
Haidvogl, M. and Heger, M. 2007, ‘Treatment effect and safety of EPs
7630 solution in acute bronchitis in childhood: Report of a multicentre
observational study’, Phytomedicine, Vol. 14, supp. 1, pp 60-64
Kolodziej, H. 2011, ‘Antimicrobial, Antiviral and Immunomodulatory
Activity Studies of Pelargonium sidoides (Eps 7630) in the context of Health
Promotion’, Pharmaceuticals, Vol. 4, no. 10, pp 1295-1314
Lizogub, V. Riley, D. Heger, M. 2007, ‘Efficacy of a Pelargonium sidoides
preparation in patients with the common cold: A randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled clinical trial’, Explore, Vol. 3, Issue. 6, pp 573-584.
Matthys, H. et al, 2003, ‘Efficacy and safety of an extract of Pelargonium
sidoides (EPs 7630) in adults with acute bronchitis: A randomised, double-
blind, placebo-controlled trial’, Phytomedicine, Vol. 10, supp. 4, pp 7-17
extract on over 740 children with acute bronchitis.
The researchers monitored treatment with the herbal
extract for up to 14 days. Five ‘bronchitis specific
symptoms’ were summed up to give an overall
measure of disease severity. Haidvogl and Heger
concluded that Pelargonium sidoides extract is a
safe and effective treatment for acute bronchitis.
In addition, they note that in 88.3% of cases,
the responsible physician rated the treatment as
successful. Adverse events were minor and transitory
Sinusitis
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
study of 103 adult patients with acute sinusitis was
conducted by Bachert et al at 11 clinics, in Kiev,
in 2009. The patients were studied for 21 days
and assessed on 6 symptoms of sinusitis including
headache, nasal obstruction and discharge. Bachert
et al (2009) report that by day 7, 63% of the
Pelargonium sidoides extract group were back to
work compared with 37% in the placebo group. By
day 21, sinus x-rays were normal in more than 90%
of the Pelargonium sidoides extract group compared
with 10% for the placebo group. The researchers
highlighted “improvements shown in the patients’
health-related quality of life, activity level and
general well-being”, they further observed a quicker
return to work. Bachert et al (2009) conclude that
“Pelargonium sidoides extract should be considered
as a possible first line treatment even in patients
suffering from an acute rhinosinusitis of presumably
bacterial origin”.
Common Cold
Lizogub, Riley and Herger (2009) examined the
efficacy of Pelargonium sidoides extract on
patients with the common cold, one of the most
prevalent illness in the world. The study compared
Pelargonium sidoides extract to a placebo over 10
days. Over 100 patients were tracked according to

13. Acute, self-limited
viral infection
causing upper
respiratory
symptoms (ie
cough, sore throat,
etc.)
COLDS
Sudden, forceful
expulsion of air from the
lungs to clear material
from the airways and to
protect the lungs from
particles that
have been
inhaled
COUGHS
Type I reactions
underlie atopic
disorders
develop < 1 h
after exposure
to antigen
ALLERGIC
ASTHMA
Inflammation of
the sinuses, most
commonly caused by
a viral or bacterial
infection or by an
allergy
SINUSITIS
Inflammation of the
tracheobronchial tree,
commonly following
a URI, the cause is
almost always a viral
infection
BRONCHITIS
Sore throat is pain in the
posterior pharynx that
occurs with or without
swallowing
PHARYNGITISInflammation of
the nasal mucous
membrane
RHINITIS
Acute inflammation of
the lungs caused by
infection
PNEUMONIA
LARYNGITIS
Inflammation of
the voice box
(larynx)
TREATABLE CONDITIONS
Antibacterial ExpectorantAntiviral

14. Product composition Umckalin Uses
Powder
Extract
A dry powder extract
standardized for
umckalin content
NLT 160ppm
NLT 800ppm
NLT 1100ppm
Used as an ingredient in
formulations for liquid drops,
cough syrups or sprays and can
also be pressed into tablets or
encapsulated
Pieces Shredded whole pelargonium root NLT 100ppm For further processing
Milled
Powder
Dark brown to reddish granular powder
milled from dried pelargonium root
NLT 100ppm For further processing
Tincture
Ethanol
Dark brown to reddish opaque liquid
with ethanolic smell,
containing 16-19% ethanol
NLT 15ppm
Single ingredient for the
formulation of herbal medicine
Tincture
Glycerol
Dark brown to reddish opaque liquid
with syrupy viscosity
NLT 15ppm
For the formulation of cough
syrups or liquid herbal medicines
Cough Syrup
Dark brown to reddish opaque-liquid
with syrupy viscosity and mint flavor
NLT 15ppm
Ready to use sugar-free
cough syrup with mint (can be
standardised for umckalin)
PRODUCTS
P e l a r g o n i u m S i d o i d e s
*OPTIONAL
Organic
Certified
FEATURED

15. * O P T I O NA L
Organic
Certified
FEATURED
PRODUCT
P e l a r g o n i u m S i d o i d e s
PelaPowerTM
is our standardized dry powder extract
of Pelargonium sidoides (Umckaloabo) which is made
according to the method stated in the EMA monograph.
This type of extract which is equivalent to EPS7630 has a
long history of efficacy in the treatment of colds and flu,
especially for bronchial related ailments.
PelaPowerTM
is standardised for umckalin and is suitable
for further processing into liquid extracts or for capsules
and tablets.
Afrigetics offers powder extracts of Pelargonium
sidoides with varying levels of active ingredients and
solubility. PelaPowerTM
is manufactured for Afrigetics
by certified facilities, audited under our FSSC 22000
programme.
Pelargonium sidoides Powder Extract
Product Description
Pelargonium sidoides powder extract.
Features
A dry powder extract of Pelargonium sidoides
made according to EMA monograph.
This powder can be used as an ingredient
in formulations for liquid drops, cough syrups or
sprays and can also be pressed into tablets or
encapsulated.
Active ingredient
NLT 1100ppm umckalin
Packaging Description
Foil gusset bag, ziplock closure
Pack size
1kg and 5kg bags
A Natural Phytocare Solution for Colds and Flu

16. Raw Material
P e l a r g o n i u m S i d o i d e s
Product Description
Dark brown to reddish pieces of shredded whole
Pelargonium root, cut and sifted according to
customer specification.
Active ingredient
Not less than 100ppm umckalin
Sterilization
Steam sterilization (Optional)
Packaging Description
Inner packagING - 2 PVC plastic liner (food grade)
Outer Packaging - White polypropylene agricultural
weaved bag
Pack size
15kg raw material
Afrigetics specializes in the supply of wild-harvested Pelargonium
sidoides and offers a range product from raw materials to extracts
and finished products. Our products are handled within an
FSSC22000 environment and adhere to the requirements of the
international marketplace.
Pelargonium sidoides Whole, Dried Pieces
* O P T I O NA L
Organic
Certified
Product Description
Dark brown to reddish powder made from dried
whole pelargonium root with a particle size
<10% retained on a 425 micron sieve
Active ingredient
Not less than 100ppm umckalin
Sterilization
Steam sterilization (*optional)
Packaging Description
Inner packagING - 2 PVC plastic liner (Food grade)
Outer Packaging - White polypropylene
agricultural weaved bag
Pack size
20kg raw material
Pelargonium sidoides Milled Powder
Sustainably Wild Harvested,
Organic Certified (Optional).
* O P T I O NA L
Organic
Certified

17. Liquid
Extracts
P e l a r g o n i u m S i d o i d e s
Afrigetics offers liquid extracts of Pelargonium
sidoides as partially processed products
that can be used for further processing. All
extracts are manufactured for us by certified
facilities, audited under our FSSC 22000
program.
Ethanolic Liquid Extract 1:8-10
Product Description
Pelargonium sidoides ethanolic extract 1:8-10
(Alcohol 16-19%)
Features
An ethanolic extract made according to the
pharmacopoeia monograph on Pelargonium
sidoides. This tincture can be used as an ingredient
in formulations for liquid drops, cough syrups or
sprays or as a ready-to-use product.
Active ingredient
15ppm umckalin
Packaging Description
PVC bucket with tamper-proof closure.
Pack size
5l or 25l
* O P T I O NA L
Organic
Certified
Glycerine Extract
Product Description
Pelargonium sidoides vegetable glycerine
tincture
Features
A non-alcoholic, sugar-free extract of
Pelargonium sidoides. This tincture can be used
as an ingredient in formulations for liquid drops,
cough syrups or sprays or as a ready-to-use
product.
Active ingredient
NLT 15ppm umckalin
Packaging Description
PVC bucket with tamper-proof closure.
Cough Syrup Formulation with Mint
Product Description
Alcohol-free and sugar-free Pelargonium
sidoides vegetable glycerine tincture formulated
with mint oil.
Features
A non-alcoholic, sugar-free glycerine extract of
Pelargonium sidoides that is ready to use.
Active ingredient
umckalin
Packaging Description
PVC bucket with tamper-proof closure.
Pack size
5l or 25l
Pack size
5l or 25l
* O P T I O NA L
O r g a n i c
Ce r t i f ied
* O P T I O NA L
Organic
Certified

18. In striving to continually improve our services we
have now gone the extra mile to ensure that our
palletization is truly world class. Our company offers
packaging solutions that will withstand the toughest
journeys by road, air or sea. Better packaging of your
goods means fewer troubles further down the line
by reducing the exposure to moisture (especially on
sea cargo), damage by poor third party handling and
general accidents that can occur during transit. Speak
to us about your packaging requirements and we will
listen to your every need.
Packaging
Palletization
Shrink wrapped & strapped
Our company offers packaging
solutions that will withstand the
toughest journeys by road, air
or sea.

19. world
class
exports Award winning
export business
Over 900
consignments
worldwide
Incoterms
2010 experts
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21. This is a summary of the scientific conclusions
reached by the Committee on Herbal Medicinal
Products (HMPC) on the medicinal uses of
pelargonium root. The HMPC conclusions are taken
into account by EU Member States when evaluating
applications for the licensing of herbal medicines
containing pelargonium root.
Information resources
This summary is not intended to provide practical
advice on how to use medicines containing
pelargonium root. For practical information about
using pelargonium root medicines, patients
should read the package leaflet that comes
with the medicine or contact their doctor or
pharmacist.
GO TO : www.ema.europa.eu/en/
medicines/herbal/pelargonii-radix

22. The HMPC concluded that, on the basis of their long-standing
use, these pelargonium root preparations can be used to treat
the symptoms of the common cold. Pelargonium root medicines
should only be used in patients from the age of 6 years. If
symptoms last longer than 1 week or worsen while taking the
medicine, a doctor or qualified healthcare practitioner should be
consulted. Detailed instructions on how to take pelargonium root
medicines and who can use them can be found in the package
leaflet that comes with the medicine.
What are the HMPC conclusions on its medicinal uses?
How are pelargonium root medicines approved in the EU?
Any applications for the licensing of medicines containing pelargonium root have to be submitted to the national
authorities responsible for medicinal products, which will assess the application for the herbal medicine and take
into account the scientific conclusions of the HMPC. Information on the use and licensing of pelargonium root
medicines in EU Member States should be obtained from the relevant national authorities.
Pelargonium root is the common name for the root of the plants Pelargonium sidoides DC and Pelargonium re-
niforme Curt. The HMPC conclusions only cover pelargonium root preparations that are obtained by putting the
plant material in a solvent (such as ethanol) to dissolve compounds and form a liquid extract. The solvent may
then be evaporated to obtain a dry extract. Herbal medicines containing these pelargonium root preparations
are usually available in liquid or solid forms to be taken by mouth. Pelargonium root preparations may also be
found in combination with other herbal substances in some herbal medicines. These combinations are not cov-
ered in this summary.
What is pelargonium root?
The HMPC conclusions on the use of these
pelargonium root medicines for treating common
colds are based on their ‘traditional use’. This
means that, although there is insufficient evidence
from clinical trials, the effectiveness of these herbal
medicines is plausible and there is evidence that
they have been used safely in this way for at least
30 years (including at least 15 years within the EU).
Moreover, the intended use does not require medical
supervision.
In its assessment, the HMPC also considered 3 studies
involving patients with acute bronchitis (inflammation
of the airways in the lungs), where pelargonium root
was compared with placebo (a dummy treatment).
Although a possible effect in improving symptoms
of bronchitis such as cough was observed, firm
conclusions could not be drawn as there were
What are the risks associated with
pelargonium root medicines?
Very rare side effects (seen in less than 1 patient in 10,000) have been reported with pelargonium root medicines.
These include mild gut complaints such as diarrhoea, discomfort around the stomach area, nausea or vomiting,
difficulty swallowing, mild nasal and gum bleeding and allergic reactions. Liver problems have also been
reported but the frequency is not known.
What evidence supports the use of
pelargonium root medicines?
weaknesses in the design and outcome of the
studies. Therefore, the HMPC conclusions on
the use of these pelargonium root medicines are
based on their long-standing use. For detailed
information on the studies assessed by the
HMPC, see the HMPC assessment report.
GO TO : www.ema.europa.eu/en/
medicines/herbal/pelargonii-radix

23. Measuring and optimising umckalin concentration in wild-harvested and
cultivated Pelargonium sidoides (Geraniaceae)
A.G. White a,⁎, M.T. Davies-Coleman b
, B.S. Ripley a
a
Department of Botany, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa
b
Department of Chemistry, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa
Received 24 July 2007; received in revised form 18 November 2007; accepted 29 November 2007
Abstract
Pelargonium sidoides DC. (Geraniaceae) root extracts are used locally and globally as herbal medicines. Subsequently, high levels of wild root
harvest in the years preceding this study, to supply international demand for raw materials, prompted this investigation of the prospects for sustainable
root harvest through wild collection and greenhouse cultivation. A novel method was developed for the purification of umckalin, a bioactive
constituent in root extracts, such that the root umckalin concentrations of wild and cultivated plants could be quantified by HPLC. A geographical
survey of wild plants revealed that root umckalin concentrations were inversely related to the average annual rainfall of the collection site (r2
=0.43,
pb0.0001) and directly related to soil pH (r2
=0.46, pb0.0001). Thus, the possibility of inducing high umckalin concentrations in greenhouse-
cultivated plants was investigated by subjecting plants to water stress. This treatment, and those using leaf applied hormones (cytokinin and
gibberellin) and root competition with a fast growing annual (Conyza albida), did not significantly affect root umckalin concentrations compared to
well-watered controls. However, greenhouse-cultivated control plants showed wild equivalent umckalin concentrations and circa six times greater
growth rates than plants in a wild harvest experiment. These results support the ex situ cultivation of roots to supply future market demand.
© 2007 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Conservation; Coumarin; Cultivation; EPs 7630; Pelargonium sidoides; Umckalin; Umckaloabo; Wild harvest
1. Introduction
Many South African medicinal plants, including Pelargonium
sidoides, Harpagophytum procumbens and H. zerheri (devil's
claw), Aloe ferox (Cape aloe) and Agathosma betulina (buchu),
are used in the production of internationally marketed herbal
remedies for the treatment of various ailments (Van Wyk et al.,
2000). As a result, the wild stocks of these plants are susceptible to
over-exploitation.
Traditionally, infusions made from the tuberous, woody roots
of P. reniforme and P. sidoides are used for the treatment of
diarrhoea, dysentery, colds and lung infections, including tuber-
culosis (Bladt, 1977; Van Wyk and Gericke, 2000). This usage is
particularly prevalent amongst the Xhosa people of the Eastern
Cape Province of South Africa. In addition to these traditional
uses, commercial P. sidoides root extracts have become popular
(e.g. Pelargonium, Medicherb UK; Pelargonium Syrup, Biohar-
mony Africa and Umckaloabo®, Spitzner) for the treatment of
upper-respiratory tract infections. These are available interna-
tionally in countries including Germany, Mexico, Turkey, Brazil
(e.g. Matthys et al., 2003; Chuchalin et al., 2005) and South
Africa (White, 2007). The bioactive constituents isolated from
P. sidoides root extracts include: the coumarins umckalin and 6,8-
dihydroxy-5,7-dimethoxycoumarin (Kayser and Kolodziej,
1997), gallic acid and its methyl ester (Kayser and Kolodziej,
1997), (+)-catechin (Kolodziej et al., 2003), and certain fatty acids
(Seidel and Taylor, 2004) and tannins (Kolodziej et al., 2005).
This combined traditional and commercial use has led to the
extensive harvest of wild plants in the Eastern Cape. Harvest is not
restricted to P. sidoides, the species preferred by the international
market, as P. reniforme plants are mistakenly harvested due to
their very similar appearance to those of P. sidoides, except when
in flower. Despite the demand for harvested roots, speculation still
Available online at www.sciencedirect.com
South African Journal of Botany 74 (2008) 260–267
www.elsevier.com/locate/sajb
⁎ Corresponding author.
E-mail address: AndrewGWhite@gmail.com (A.G. White).
0254-6299/$ - see front matter © 2007 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2007.11.015
Journal of Ethnopharmacology 119 (2008) 420–433
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Journal of Ethnopharmacology
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jethpharm
Review
A historical, scientific and commercial perspective on the
medicinal use of Pelargonium sidoides (Geraniaceae)
T. Brendlera
, B.-E. van Wykb,∗
a
Plantaphile, Immanuelkirchstrasse 32, 10405 Berlin, Germany
b
Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa
a r t i c l e i n f o
Article history:
Received 19 May 2008
Received in revised form 16 July 2008
Accepted 21 July 2008
Available online 3 August 2008
Keywords:
Commercialisation
Ethnobotany
Medicinal plants
Pelargonium sidoides DC.
Pharmacology
Umckaloabo
a b s t r a c t
Ethnopharmacological context: A detailed review of the ethnobotany and commercial history of Pelargo-
nium sidoides is presented, together with a brief summary of pre-clinical and clinical scientific results that
support the use of the plant in modern, evidence-based phytomedicines. The aim is to identify the main
factors responsible for the success in product development.
Materials and methods: The literature studied includes all modern scientific papers and also old documents
and books that are no longer readily accessible.
Results: Available ethnobotanical information shows that several tuberous Pelargonium species (including
Pelargonium sidoides) are important traditional medicines with a rich ethnobotanical history. A summary
of the interesting history of the commercial development of Stevens’ Cure or Umckaloabo in Europe is
presented. Scientific evidence for the efficacy of the product, mainly as a treatment for acute bronchitis,
is reviewed. These include numerous in vitro studies as well as 18 clinical studies. The botanical identity
of the plant and its complex mixture of coumarins and other chemical constituents are summarised.
Conclusions: The use of Pelargonium stems or tubers for a variety of ailments (including the complications
of dysentery) is an important but hitherto under-estimated part of traditional medicine in southern Africa.
Key elements in the successful development of Pelargonium sidoides from a profound traditional remedy to
a highly successful phytomedicine include the choice of species, a favourable cost–benefit ratio, innovative
marketing over many years, good scientific evidence of the botanical and chemical identity of the product
and convincing proof of concept.
© 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Contents
1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421
2. Historical and commercial perspectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421
2.1. Ethnobotany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421
2.2. Etymology of “Umckaloabo” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 423
2.3. History of commercialisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 423
2.4. Production and raw material identification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 424
2.5. Standardisation and dosage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 427
2.6. Products, patents and regulatory aspects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 427
3. Scientific perspectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 427
3.1. Botanical identity and relationships. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 427
3.2. Chemistry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 427
3.3. Pharmacology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 428
3.3.1. Antibacterial and antifungal properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 428
3.3.2. Antimycobacterial properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 428
3.3.3. Immunomodulatory properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 429
∗ Corresponding author. Tel.: +27 11 5592412; fax: +27 11 5592411.
E-mail address: bevanwyk@uj.ac.za (B.-E. van Wyk).
0378-8741/$ – see front matter © 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.jep.2008.07.037
Go to Our website for knowledge
A detailed review of the ethnobotany and
commercial history of Pelargonium
sidoides is presented, together with a brief
summary of pre-clinical and clinical scientific
results that support the use of the plant in
modern, evidence-based phytomedicines. The
aim is to identify the main factors responsible
for the success in product development.
“
“
Measuring and optimising umckalin
concentration in wild-harvested and
cultivated Pelargonium sidoides (Geraniaceae)“
“
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