Pelargonium: A traditional remedy from the Eastern Cape that fights viruses
But it's not every day that one of our indigenous plants steps out of that tradition and into the global spotlight, backed by modern science.
That's exactly what's happening with Pelargonium sidoides, an indigenous plant from the Eastern Cape, Free State, and Lesotho.
Pelargonium has several common names including kalwerbossie, rabassamin, rooi rabas (Afrikaans), and umckaloabo (isiZulu). In English, it is also known as black pelargonium
This plant is a testament to the power of our local knowledge and a perfect example of how ancient remedies can be validated by contemporary research to offer real benefits in modern healthcare.
Long before it was bottled and sold in pharmacies, Pelargonium sidoides was a trusted remedy among indigenous healers.
Its journey to mainstream medicine began in a fascinating way in 1897, when a man named Major Charles Stevens, suffering from tuberculosis, found himself on the path to recovery after being treated with medicine made from the plant's root by a Zulu healer.
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Pelargonium: A traditional remedy from the Eastern Cape that fights viruses
In South Africa, we're surrounded by a rich heritage of traditional healing. But it's not every day that one of our indigenous plants steps out of that tradition and into the global spotlight, backed by modern science. That's exactly what's happening with Pelargonium sidoides, an indigenous plant from the Eastern Cape, Free State, and Lesotho. Pelargonium has several common names including kalwerbossie, rabassamin, rooi rabas (Afrikaans), and umckaloabo (isiZulu). In English, it is also known as black pelargonium This plant is a testament to the power of our local knowledge and a perfect example of how ancient remedies can be validated by contemporary research to offer real benefits in modern healthcare. Long before it was bottled and sold in pharmacies, Pelargonium sidoides was a trusted remedy among indigenous healers. Its journey to mainstream medicine began in a fascinating way in 1897, when a man named Major Charles Stevens, suffering from tuberculosis, found himself on the path to recovery after being treated with medicine made from the plant's root by a Zulu healer.
