is a plant in the geranium family that grows in South Africa. It
has heart-shaped leaves and narrow flowers of deep, saturated
red. It has a long history of traditional use in southern Africa
for treatment of respiratory problems. The root is the part used
medicinally. An alcohol extract made from has become popular in
Germany as a treatment for various respiratory problems,
including pharyngitis (sore throat) , and tonsillitis. Fairly
large studies have been performed to substantiate some of these
uses. For example, in one , placebo-controlled study, 468 adults
with recent onset of acute bronchitis were given either placebo
or a standard alcohol extract of 3 times daily for a week. The
results showed a significantly greater improvement in symptoms
in the treatment group as compared to the placebo group. On
average, participants who received the real treatment were able
to return to work 2 days earlier than those given placebo.
Benefits were also seen in 2 other double-blind, placebo-
controlled studies enroll