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African Geranium

Pelargonium sidoides

Also known as Umckaloabo, Kalwerbossie, South African Geranium, Rabas Root

At a glance

Family

Geraniaceae

Type

Tuberous perennial herb

Parts used

Root

Size

Low, spreading rosette, 8 to 16 inches tall

Bloom

Deep maroon to near-black flowers, spring through summer

Habitat

Open grasslands and rocky highveld of South Africa and Lesotho

Acquisition

Grow or buy

Traditional remedies in HerbSense

Key benefits

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Traditional respiratory support

Soothes coughs and colds

Traditional throat comfort

Historic immune tonic

Traditional uses

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Long before it appeared in any pharmacy, this humble geranium was dug from the red soil of the Basotho highlands, where healers used its dark, aromatic taproot to ease coughs, sore throats, and chest complaints. Zulu and Basotho herbal traditions relied on decoctions of the root for ailments of the lungs and gut alike. Its modern fame traces to a story passed down for over a century, an Englishman named Charles Henry Stevens, gravely ill with what was called consumption, was said to have been treated by a Basotho healer with this very root and returned home recovered. He carried the remedy back to Europe, where it became known as Umckaloabo, a word borrowed from the Zulu for a cough that settles deep in the chest.

Growing guide

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Sun

Full sun to light afternoon shade

Soil

Lean, gritty, well-drained soil; this plant resents heavy or waterlogged ground

Water

Drought tolerant once established; water sparingly and let the soil dry between waterings

Planting

Grow from nursery divisions or seed in a warm, frost-free spot. The plant builds a slow, thick taproot over several seasons, so patience matters more than fussing.

Fresh to dried

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Harvest

Roots are traditionally lifted from mature plants that are at least two to three years old, when the taproot has grown substantial and dark inside.

Drying

Wash the root well, slice it into smaller pieces, and dry in a warm, airy, shaded spot until it snaps cleanly rather than bending.

Storage

Store dried root pieces in a sealed jar away from light and moisture; well-dried root keeps its potency for a year or more.

Best forms

Dried root for home decoctions; standardized liquid extracts are the most consistent and widely used form

Traditional preparations

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Featured preparation

African Geranium Root Decoction

A gentle, warming preparation traditionally used to soothe a nagging cough or scratchy throat during the cold season.

How it's made. Traditionally, 1 teaspoon of chopped dried root is simmered gently in 1 cup of water for about 15 minutes, then strained and sipped warm, up to twice daily for a few days.

Secondary preparation

Honey Root Syrup

A simple folk remedy that pairs the earthy root decoction with honey to make it easier on a sore throat.

How it's made. Traditionally, a strong decoction is strained and stirred with a spoonful of raw honey while still warm, then taken by the spoonful as needed.

Pairs well with

✦Thyme
✦Elderberry
✦Licorice Root

Substitutes

✦Echinacea
✦Marshmallow Root

Choose it when

“For the season when every throat in the house sounds a little rougher than it should.”

Did you know?

The name Umckaloabo comes from the Zulu phrase for a cough that sits heavy in the chest, and the remedy's journey from a Basotho healer's hut to European pharmacy shelves is one of the more remarkable travel stories in herbal history.

Safety

This root may enhance the effect of blood-thinning medication and should be avoided by anyone on anticoagulants. Rare cases of liver irritation have been reported with concentrated extracts, so it isn't recommended for those with liver disease, and it's best avoided in pregnancy.