Evidence supporting the use of: Umckaloabo
For the health condition: Influenza

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Umckaloabo, also known as Pelargonium sidoides extract, has been traditionally used in South Africa for respiratory tract infections. In recent decades, its use has expanded to Europe and elsewhere for treating acute bronchitis and other respiratory ailments, including influenza-like illnesses. Clinical studies and systematic reviews have investigated the efficacy of Umckaloabo in treating upper respiratory tract infections and the common cold, with some suggesting modest benefits in reducing symptom duration and severity. However, direct evidence for its effectiveness specifically against laboratory-confirmed influenza is limited.

The proposed mechanisms of action include immunomodulatory effects and possible direct antiviral activity, but most studies focus on broader respiratory symptoms rather than influenza per se. The Cochrane Review (2013 and updates) found low- to moderate-quality evidence for symptom improvement in acute bronchitis and the common cold, but did not provide robust conclusions for influenza. Regulatory bodies such as the European Medicines Agency recognize Umckaloabo as a traditional herbal medicine for treating symptoms of common colds, but not specifically for influenza.

In conclusion, while Umckaloabo is supported by some scientific evidence for general respiratory tract infections, evidence specifically for influenza is weak (rated 2/5), and its use for this condition is only partially scientifically justified.

More about Umckaloabo
More about Influenza

Other ingredients used for Influenza

green chiretta
astragalus
Myrobalan
benegut perilla (proprietary)
black garlic
black pepper
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
camu camu
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
chaga mushroom
Coptis chinensis
cordyceps
turmeric
dog rose
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
ginger
glehnia root
goldenseal
gooseberry
Greek mountain tea
green tea
honeysuckle
L-cysteine
Lactobacillus casei
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
Lentinula edodes mycelia
licorice root
Monolaurin
Nettle
quercetin
reishi mushroom
selenium
spirulina
sweet wormwood
vitamin C
vitamin D
zhejiang fritillary
Zinc
boneset
tangerine
alpinia galangal
Myrrh
Yerba santa
chrysanthemum
flowering quince
ganoderma
anemarrhena asphodeloides
eucalyptus
Abies spectabilis
Algae
avens
Agarikon Mushroom
apple cider vinegar
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Acacia
Agrimony
Allicin
anamu
AHCC
andrographolide
American Liverleaf
astragaloside
Andrographis
Alstonia scholaris
Adenophora
Alliin
Asarum sieboldii
bee propolis
black seed
Baikal Skullcap
Bryonia
balsam
Basidiomycota
borage
Bupleurum
baicalin
Black Hellebore
balloon flower
Clerodendrum trichotomum
coconut oil
coriolus mushroom
Clerodendrum phlomidis
carvacrol
cineole
Centipeda
Cistus
Chaenomeles lagenaria
currant
Chondrus
Ephedra
European Elder
elk antler
Echinacea
Elder
Euphorbia
Embelia
fat liver oil
flavanones
frankincense
flavones
Glehnia littoralis
Guaco
Gallesia
Glycyrrhizin
Hyperoside
Houttuynia
honey loquat syrup
Immunoglobulin G
iridoids
Lycium
Ledebouriella
Lomatium
lichen
Lycopodium
labrador tea
little ironweed
liverwort
Meadow sage
Microtea debilis
Neoandrographolides
Onosma bracteatum
Osthole
Premna
Platycodon
Pelargonium
Pentatropis capensis
Polygonatum
Polygonum
ravinsara
Sweet Annie
Salvia
Sambucus nigra
Sulfated polysaccharide
Shikimic Acid
Sweet Bay
Sundew
Tremella
Umckaloabo
Visnea Mocanera
Vasicine
Xanthophyll
Zingerone

Products containing Umckaloabo

We currently have no products on Caring Sunshine that contain this ingredient.