Umckaloabo is advertised as a miracle cure for coughs, especially for acute bronchitis. But is Umckaloabo really that good? Here you can find out more about the effects and uses of Umckaloabo.
“Umckaloabo – unspeakable, but extremely good ”- this is how the manufacturer advertises his remedy for acute bronchitis. It is said to help with symptoms such as cough, mucous throat, scratchy throat and fatigue. Umckaloabo is a herbal remedywhich is available over the counter as tablets, drops and juice. It is based on the pelargonium root, which comes from South Africa. Hence the name Root of the Cape Geranium.
Here you can find out more about the exact use and effect of Umckaloabo and about the criticism of the drug.
Umckaloabo: Effect of the herbal product

(Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / stevepb)
Put in Umckaloabo Extracts of the pelargonium root Cape Perlagonia. According to the manufacturer, the root is used in traditional South African medicine in the treatment of gastrointestinal infections. In Europe, on the other hand, Respiratory diseases (bronchitis) used. The extracts of the pelargonium root are said …
- … inhibit the multiplication of cold viruses.
- … stimulate the activity of the cilia, so that the mucus runs off.
- … inhibit bacterial infection.
The Zur Rose pharmacy explains the effect in the video:
Stiftung Warentest criticizes, however, that the Effect “not sufficiently proven“Is. Of the Juice for children as well as the Tablets therefore be “not very suitable“. The liquid Umckaloabo solution be at least “suitable with restrictions“. However, the therapeutic effectiveness of the drops should be better demonstrated, writes Stiftung Warentest (as of April 2020). Also at Cough medicine test from Öko-Test Umckaloabo only took fourth place among cough medicine.
There was one in 2013 Study of the study situation on Umckaloabo, in which the results of eight studies were summarized. Although they come to positive results, the authors rate “the quality of the evidence as low or very low”. The reasons for this: There are only a few studies per illness and they all come from the same examiner – the manufacturer. In addition, they all took place exclusively in Ukraine and Russia, the report says.
Use of Umckaloabo



(Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / Michael-T)
Umckaloabo should only be used after the package insert, unless otherwise prescribed. Treatment for children under the age of six should only after consultation with a doctor. Different dosages apply depending on the age:
Tablets:
- under 12 years: only after medical consultation
- from 12 years: one tablet three times a day
You should take the tablets whole with a glass of water.
Drops:
- 1 to 5 years: three times 10 drops a day
- 6 to 12 years: three times 20 drops a day
- from 12 years: three times 30 drops a day
You can drop the drops onto a spoon and take them or put them in a glass of water.
Juice for children:
- 1-6 years: three times 2.5 ml daily
- 7-12 years: three times 5.0 ml daily
Note: Treatment with Umckaloabo should not last longer than three weeks.
Take Umckaloabo: What should I watch out for?
- Dilute: You can also dilute and take Umckaloabo with water. However, make sure to use the exact dose given.
- Pregnancy / lactation: You should not take Umckaloabo during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Interactions: not known
- Side effects: not known
The manufacturer points out that, in rare cases, allergic reactions can occur after taking Umckaloabo.
You shouldn’t take Umckaloabo at:
- Hypersensitivity to the ingredients
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Increased tendency to bleed
Criticism of Umckaloabo
- 2011 had the Drug Commission of the German Pharmacists warned about Umckaloabo. The herbal product can lead to liver damage. For this reason, pelargonium agents have had to carry an appropriate warning since 2014. Stiftung Warentest also points out these possible effects Pelargonium there. “Liver values may increase in more than 1 in 1,000 people. In individual cases, liver damage was reported, ”said the experts. Sufficient studies on this have so far been lacking.
- Of the mirror and Over media report surreptitious advertising for Umckaloabo in numerous magazines. Umckaloabo was most often recommended in many articles from various women’s and TV magazines, and mostly as the only remedy for diseases.
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- Cough drops: how they work and how you make them yourself