Umcka, also known as Umckaloabo, is an herbal extract that has been shown to lessen the symptoms and even stop colds, flu, sinusitis, tonsillitis, respiratory infections, and antibiotic-resistant ear infections. It has shown both antiviral and antibiotic properties in killing both viruses and certain bacterial infections.
History and Discovery of Umckaloabo (Umcka)
Umckaloabo is an extract that comes from the root of the Pelargonium sidoides or South African geranium and is native to South Africa. The Zulu culture of Africa has used this herbal remedy for centuries.
In 1897, Englishman Charles Stevens contracted pulmonary tuberculosis and left for the warmer climate of South Africa.
Umcka Studies
In October 2008, the British Department of Health granted an official license for this herbal remedy to be marketed and sold as a cold and flu medicine in England and carries the brand name of Kaloba. In the United States Umckaloabo is sold as Umcka by Nature's Way.
A placebo-controlled study with 468 adults with bronchitis received 4.5 ml (milliliter) of the extract or the placebo for 7 days. Significant differences were found between the two groups with the extract group reporting less severity of bronchitis symptoms.
At the start of the test, 67% of the participants were unable to work. By day 7 only 16% of the Umckaloabo extract group was unable to work while 43% of the placebo group was still unable to work. [2]
A study with 143 children who had tonsillitis (group A [beta]-hemolytic streptococcus-negative tonsillopharyngitis) were randomly chosen to have 1 ml of the root extract or the placebo 3 times per day for 6 days.
By the fourth day, the Umckaloabo extract group was statistically superior. By the sixth day, 81% of the children in the extract group were able to return to school and only 21% of the children in the placebo group were able to return to school. [3]
The final word with these studies is that the herbal preparation of Umcka may be effective in relieving symptoms of acute bronchitis, sinusitis and other respiratory infections in adults and children.
The common cold and the flu are also upper respiratory tract infection caused by a virus.
How Umcka Works
Studies have suggested that Umckaloabo exhibits both antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects. Immunomodulatory means it changes the immune system, in this case, it would cause the immune system to attack the virus or bacteria cells.
Antimicrobial is a substance that inhibits or kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi. If in fact, the root extract of the Pelargonium sidoides cured Charles Stevens of pulmonary tuberculosis, that means that it can cure a disease caused by a bacteria, since tuberculosis is caused by bacteria.
Studies have shown that Umcka has antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and immune boosting properties.
Where Umcka seems different than elderberry extract is its ability to destroy infections not only caused by a virus but also infections caused by bacteria. Which is important since a concern with a cold or flu is that they can turn into a bacterial infection such as pneumonia.
Umcka is also a natural expectorant, helping to eliminate the excess mucus from the sinuses, lungs and the entire respiratory tract. By eliminating the excess mucus, it also eliminates a breeding ground for more infections or severe infections to grow.
Scientists aren’t exactly sure what it is that makes the Pelargonium s. extract exhibit both antiviral and antibacterial properties, but studies are very positive at this time.
The studies found that Umcka works best when taken within 48 hours of the start of the cold or flu symptoms. The sooner the person takes the extract, the better it works.
Umcka Safety
There have not been any negative side effects from this extract except an occasional allergy if the person is allergic to plants in this family.
There are no known supplement or food interactions. There has not been any safety testing in children younger than 6 years old, pregnant or nursing women, people with severe liver or kidney disease.
Clinical studies have only involved taking this extract no longer than 7 days. This should not be looked at as an alternative to an antibiotic if you are sick for more than 7 days, have a high fever or chest pains.
Note: Always check with your doctor before taking any supplements. Supplements taken with medications can be dangerous.
About the Author
Sam Montana is a certified Food Over Medicine instructor from the Wellness Forum Health Center and certified in optimal nutrition from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Copyright © Sam Montana 2009-2019
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