Pelargonium sidoides
Pelargonium sidoides, commonly known as African geranium, is a powerful medicinal plant native to South Africa. Renowned for its potent antimicrobial and antiviral properties, it is frequently used in herbal medicine to support respiratory health. This botanical extract serves as a key ingredient in modern cough and cold remedies.
- Scientific name: Pelargonium sidoides
- Family: Geraniaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Geraniales, it is classified under the family Geraniaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Pelargonium.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Geraniales | WCVP |
| Family | Geraniaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Pelargonium | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Pelargonium sidoides, is recognized by various common names across different languages and cultures. In Turkish, it is referred to as Güney Afrika sardunyası, while in Arabic, it is known as لقلقي سيداوي and also as لقلقى سيداوى. Hungarian speakers call it fokföldi muskátli, and in Portuguese-speaking contexts, it is frequently identified by its traditional name, Umckaan.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| tr | Güney Afrika sardunyası | Wikidata |
| ar | لقلقي سيداوي | Wikidata |
| hu | fokföldi muskátli | Wikidata |
| arz | لقلقى سيداوى | Wikidata |
| pt | Umckan | Wikidata |
| ar | إبرة الراعي جنوب أفريقيا | Wikidata |
| ar | لقلقي سيدي | Wikidata |
| hu | Pelagorium sidoides | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is primarily found throughout the diverse landscapes of Southern Africa. It is widely distributed across the Cape Provinces, where it thrives in various ecological niches. Additionally, its range extends into the mountainous regions of Lesotho. The species can also be located within the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State. Finally, its geographical presence includes the territory of Eswatini.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Africa | Cape Provinces | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Lesotho | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | KwaZulu-Natal | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Free State | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Eswatini | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Northern Provinces | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Pelargonium sidoides, is highly valued in herbal medicine for its complex underground structures. The medicinal potency is primarily concentrated in its thick, fleshy tubers, which are often referred to as the roots of the plant. These specialized roots serve as the storage organs for active compounds, and it is from these tubers that potent root extracts are derived for therapeutic use. While the above-ground stems and leaves are characteristic of the species, the most significant pharmacological properties are found within the subterranean parts, making the harvested root the essential component for medicinal preparation.- Total parts
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 15
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| root | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| roots | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| tubers | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stems | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root extracts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| radix | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Pelargonium sidoides has 27 reported phytochemicals identified across 36 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include coumarins, umckalin, flavonoids, gallic acid, 4-aminobutyrate.
- Total chemicals
- 27
- Scientific sources
- 36
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| coumarins | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| umckalin | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| gallic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 4-aminobutyrate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 7-hydroxy-5,6-dimethoxycoumarin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alanine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| arginine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| asparagine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Pelargonium sidoides has 11 reported activities identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antibacterial, Antiviral, Antioxidant, Antiadhesive.
- Total activities
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 19
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiadhesive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiinflammatory | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitussive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Immunostimulant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Pelargonium sidoides has 22 reported medicinal uses identified across 26 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, common cold, cough, respiratory tract infections, HIV-1.
- Total uses
- 22
- Scientific sources
- 26
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| common cold | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cough | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| respiratory tract infections | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| HIV-1 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mycobacterium fortuitum | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mycobacterium tuberculosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| SARS-CoV | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bacterial infections | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| herpes simplex virus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |