Common cold and Pelargonium sidoides:
- A double-blind study of 133 adults with the common cold found that pelargonium herbal extract significantly reduced the severity and duration of symptoms as compared to placebo. From day one to day five the treatment group had a significant reduction in symptoms compared to placebo group. Average duration of absence from work also improved (6.9 days for treatment vs 8.2 days for placebo). After 10 days, 78.8% of those taking pelargonium were clinically cured compared to 31.4% of placebo. (4)
- Pelargonium sidoides extract was studied in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial which enrolled 143 children 6-10 years old. The extract reduced the total duration of tonsillopharyngitis by 2 days (on average) in the treatment group (n=73) as compared to the placebo group (n=70). Treatment was considered very safe. (5)
- The dose in the studies 3 times per day given before meals. Adults and children over 12 years were given a dose of 30 drops, children over 6 up to 12 years old were provided a dose of 20 drops, and children under 6 years old were given 10 drops per dose for duration of either 7 or 14 days. There were few adverse effects occurring at similar rates in both treatment and placebo groups. It is currently widely available but as a general consensus by most physicians, it is felt more research is needed before it is recommended routinely.