Elderberry
Written for Walgreens.com
Published article not yet available online
For centuries, elderberry has been used as a popular folk remedy in North America, Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa. Science has recently started to unravel the mystery of the herb and what tangible benefits it might have on the human body.
At the most basic level, elderberry is the fruit of the elder tree. Although the tree has several varieties, European elder is the type most often used as a supplement. However, its use extends beyond medicine. Cooked elderberry is used as a flavoring in wine and food, most notably in jams and pies. Raw elderberry is toxic.
Although it has many uses outside of treating the body, elderberry is best known for its medicinal uses. Traditionally, it has been used topically to treat wounds, and by mouth to treat respiratory illnesses such as colds and the flu.
There is limited research to explain how elderberry works in the body. What is known is that elderberry is very high in vitamin C and contains flavonoids. By their nature, flavonoids have antioxidant properties and may prevent damage to the body’s cells, reduce swelling, fight inflammation, and boost the immune system.
Colds and Flu: Research suggests that a chemical in elder flower and elderberry may help reduce swelling in mucous membranes, such as the sinuses, and may help relieve nasal congestion. Thus, it is often used to treat the congestion brought on by cold and flu symptoms. One study suggested that using a standardized elderberry extract, Sambucol, could shorten the duration of the flu by approximately 3 days. But because Sambucol also contains other herbs, as well as vitamin C, researchers were unable to determine if elderberry by itself would have had the same effect.
Another study found that when a lozenge containing elderberry extract (ViraBLOC) was taken within 24 hours of the onset of flu symptoms, the severity of symptoms was reduced.
Elderberry may also have an effect on the H1N1 virus (“swine flu”). One study suggested that elderberry could kill the virus in test tubes, but researchers haven’t determined if elderberry would be effective against H1N1 in people.
Sinus Infections: Because elderberry has also been used to treat sinus infections, researchers have attempted to determine whether or not it is effective. One study looked at the use of a proprietary product (Sinupret) containing elderberry to treat bacterial sinusitis. When Sinupret was taken along with an antibiotic and a decongestant, the people who took Sinupret fared better than those who didn’t take Sinupret. But the findings regarding elderberry’s role in the Sinupret improvement were not conclusive, because Sinupret also contains other herbs.
Use: There is no standard dose of elderberry, but the supplement is available as a liquid, syrup, and tincture, as well as in capsule, lozenge, and tea forms. It is not recommended for children or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Sources:
- WebMD
- University of Maryland Medical Center
- National Institutes of Health
- United States Department of Agriculture
- HerbWisdom.com