Elder Benefits, Usage, Medicinal Properties, Nutrition, Dosage, Preparations, safety, science backed and traditional view

Elder (Sambucus nigra L.; Sambucus Canadensis L.; Sambucus mexicana C.Presl.) also known as Elderberry, Elder Mother, Black Elder, American Elder, Velvet Elder, Jie Gu Mu​, Czarny Bez.

There are 5-30 species of this shrub or small tree found in the moschatel family, Adoxaceae. It is native to subtropical regions both in the northern and southern hemispheres. The Elder, with its flat-topped masses of creamy-white, fragrant blossoms, followed by large drooping bunches of purplish-black, juicy berries, is a familiar object in English countryside and gardens. It has been said, with some truth, that our English summer is not here until the Elder is fully in flower, and that it ends when the berries are ripe. Elderberry is native to Europe and large areas in North America, especially east of the Rocky Mountains, though it is now found in many parts of North America and grown throughout the world. It likes moist, well-drained soil found in openings of forest habit.

 

Part Used: Flower, Berry, Bark, Leaf, Root

 

Constituents: Cyanogenic glycoside (sambunigrin), Flavonoids (incl. kaempferol, rutin, quercetin), alkaloid (sambucine), essential oil (incl. terpenes), triterpenes (incl. sterol, amylin, oleanolic and [hydroxy]ursolic acids), saccharides, phenolic acids (incl. chlorogenic acid), fatty oils (incl. palmitic/linoleic, linolenic acids), resin, tannins, mucilage, amino acids, carotenoids, Vit A, B and large amount Vit C and fibre.

 

Flavour/Temps: Aromatic, Sweet, Pungent, Dry, Cold

Softening, Dissolving, Stimulating, Decongesting, Dispersing

 

Tropism: Bladder, Skin, Lungs, Kidneys, Immune system

 

Meridians: Spleen, Bladder, Lungs

Warmth/Fluid bodies

 

Key actions in western medicine: Anti-inflammatory, Diaphoretic, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Mildly Laxative, Diuretic, Anti-cancer, Diuretic, Immunostimulant

 

Key actions in eastern medicine: Tonifies the Lungs, Expels Phlegm, Promotes Urination, Resolves Swellings, Reduces Inflammation and Pain Promotes Lactation, Releases Exterior, Clears Heat, Dispels Wind, Resolves Damp

 

Indications western and eastern medicine:

1.SOFTEN BOILS AND DRAW PUS; CLEARS TOXIC-HEAT AND REDUCES INFLAMMATION

- Eye inflammations, tired sore eyes

- Urinary infections with irritation during urination

-Skin, Mouth and Throat Inflammations, meningitis, mouth ulcers, stomatitis

-Fire Toxin: boils, ulcers (esp. mouth, throat, face, lungs), abscesses, purulent sores, furuncles

-Bladder and Kidney damp-heat (incl. stone and damp lin): thirst, urgent, frequent and painful urination

2.RESOLVES PHLEGM, RELIEVES WHEEZING AND DIFFUSED LUNG QI.

-Bronchitis (chronic or acute), bronchial asthma

- Lung Phlegm-Heat: wheezing, cough with expectoration of copious yellow or white purulent sputum

-Lung Phlegm-damp: wheezing, cough with expectoration of thick sputum

3.REDUCES FEVER, STOP DISCHARGE AND RESOLVES MUCUS-DAMP; COOLS THE EXTERIOR, DISPELS WIND HEAT, PROMOTES ERUPTIONS AND SWEATING

-Cold and flu onset with fever

-Rheumatic fever

-Sinusitis, Laryngitis, Rhinitis, Tonsilitis

-Eruptive fevers (incl. chickenpox, measles)

-Low grade tidal fevers (shao jinn stage) with empty heat and thirst, Lung TB

-External wind heat with fire toxins: dry skin, mild anxiety, fever, sore throat, chills, irritability

-Lund wind-heat with head damp-heat: sinus congestion, cough, low fever, wheezing, chills, sore throat, purulent nasal discharge

4.PROMOTES LACTACTION

-Insufficient lactation

5. PROMOTES URINATION, RELIEVES OEDEMA AND DRAINS WATER; SOFTENS DEPOSIT, PROMOTES DETOXIFICATION AND BENEFITS THE SKIN

-Oedema (incl. from eruptive and febrile diseases)

-Eczema, Pustular, Suppurative (chronic), infantile eczema, rheumatic and syphilitic conditions, chronic ulcers with soft borders and secretion, erysipelas, lymphadenitis, chilblains

-Depository diathesis: urinary sand and stones, arteriosclerosis

-Kidney Qi stagnation: abdominal distension, headache, dry skin with rashes

Water congestion: fatigue, full flabby tissues, local or general swelling/oedema

 

Ground: Phlegmatic krases

 

Preparation

Across Europe herbalist make distinction between berries, flowers, bark and leaf of Elder tree. While some of similarity effects across all parts can be found, best results will give following guidance below.

Use bark and root to:

Relieve water congestion, gout and rheumatism, nephritis, obstinate constipation

Use Flower to:

-promote diuresis and threat other urinary conditions mentioned in 5 indications.

-resolve phlegm damp mentioned in 2 indications.

-promote sweating and all other function mentioned in 3indications

-clear toxic heat and inflammation 1 and 3 indications

Use berry to:

-promote sweating and all other actions mentioned in 3 indications

-relieve chronic or acute neuralgias, food poisoning, deficient lung conditions and constipation

Use leaf to:

- Relieve skin damp-heat (ointment use), support of diabetes and skin cancer

 

Preparations (flower/berry): infusion, tincture, liquid extract also vine, vinegar, infused oil, sirup, puree, honey, water and smoke

 

Dosage (flower/berry) 3 times a day unless instructed otherwise by herbalist:

 Infusion 3g-15g

Tincture 1-4 ml, 1:3 30% alcohol

Tincture 3-5 ml, 1:5 25% alcohol

Tincture 1-4 ml, 1:5 40% alcohol

Liquid extract 1-5 ml, 1:1 25% alcohol

 

Note: Dosage levels for a 1:5 tincture of the flowers in 40% ethanol can be up to around 2-4 ml three times a day although a smaller dose may serve just as well. The berries extracted at the same strength will have a mild laxative action if taken over a certain level and, depending on the person and how long you were using them for, it may be best to keep to no more than 1-2 ml of the tincture per dose.

So tincture of the berries may be taken with much benefit to assist an acute viral infection at doses of 2-4 ml up to three times a day. More is often not better with medicinal herbs, taking a higher than necessary dose of the flowers or berries won't be of greater benefit and may create some resistance to their continued use. Elder flowers and berries create very strong medicine, in large part because they have some potent cleansing properties, therefore small amounts can go a long way, especially in sensitive individuals.

Note: Elderflower infusion will be best for respiratory infections, while tincture for most of other applications. Eyewashes, ointments and compresses are excellent for topical conditions.

 

Synergy example: Elder flower tea combines perfectly with Lime flowers, Peppermint, Boneset and Yarrow for head colds and sinus problems. The tincture of the berries combines perfectly with Echinacea for acute viral infections.

 

Cautions: Elder berry/flower is mild remedy with minimal chronic toxicity.

Elder leaves and bark will be purgative and cathartic if taken in any quantity and likewise unripe Elder berries will cause nausea and vomiting. Aside from that the medicinal use of the flowers and the ripe berries in teas or tinctures is regarded as very safe and may be taken by the young and old, whilst pregnant or breastfeeding.

Theoretically, elderberry might interfere with immunosuppressant therapy because of its immunostimulant activity. Elderberry stimulates production of cytokines including interleukin and tumour necrosis factor. Immunosuppressant drugs include azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), daclizumab (Zenapax), muromonab-CD3 (OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3), mycophenolate (CellCept), tacrolimus (FK506, Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), and other corticosteroids (glucocorticoids).

 

 

Contraindications: none known

 

Interactions with drugs: none known

 

Side effects: none know within therapeutic dosage

 

History and folklore:

Mrs. Grieve writes :

“The word 'Elder' comes from the Anglo-Saxon word aeld. In Anglo-Saxon days we find the tree called Eldrun, which becomes Hyldor and Hyllantree in the fourteenth century. One of its names in modern German - Hollunder - is clearly derived from the same origin. In Low-Saxon, the name appears as Ellhorn. Æld meant 'fire,' the hollow stems of the young branches having been used for blowing up a fire: the soft pith pushes out easily and the tubes thus formed were used as pipes - hence it was often called Pipe-Tree, or Bore-tree and Bour-tree, the latter name remaining in Scotland and being traceable to the Anglo-Saxon form, Burtre.

The generic name Sambucus occurs in the writings of Pliny and other ancient writers and is evidently adapted from the Greek word Sambuca, the Sackbut, an ancient musical instrument in much use among the Romans, in the construction of which, it is surmised, the wood of this tree, on account of its hardness, was used. The difficulty, however, of accepting this is that the Sambuca was a stringed instrument, while anything made from the Elder would doubtless be a wind instrument, something of the nature of a Pan-pipe or flute. Pliny records the belief held by country folk that the shrillest pipes and the most sonorous horns were made of Elder trees which were grown out of reach of the sound of cock-crow. At the present day, Italian peasants construct a simple pipe, which they call sampogna, from the branches of this plant.

A wealth of folk-lore, romance and superstition centre round this English tree. Shakespeare, in Cymbeline, referring to it as a symbol of grief, speaks slightingly of it as 'the stinking Elder,' yet, although many people profess a strong dislike to the scent of its blossom, the shrub is generally beloved by all who see it. In countrysides where the Elder flourishes it is certainly one of the most attractive features of the hedgerow, while its old-world associations have created for it a place in the hearts of English people.

In Love's Labour Lost reference is made to the common medieval belief that 'Judas was hanged on an Elder.' We meet with this tradition as far back in English literature as Langland's Vision of Piers Plowman (middle of the fourteenth century, before Chaucer):

'Judas he japed with Jewen silver

And sithen an eller hanged hymselve.'

Why the Elder should have been selected as a gallows for the traitor Apostle is, considering the usual size of the tree, puzzling; but Sir John Mandeville in his travels, written about the same time, tells us that he was shown 'faste by' the Pool of Siloam, the identical 'Tree of Eldre that Judas henge himself upon, for despeyr that he hadde, when he solde and betrayed oure Lord.' Gerard scouts the tradition and says that the Judas-tree (Cercis siliquastrum) is 'the tree whereon Judas did hange himselfe.'

Another old tradition was that the Cross of Calvary was made of it, and an old couplet runs:

'Bour tree - Bour tree: crooked rong

Never straight and never strong;

Ever bush and never tree

Since our Lord was nailed on thee.'

In consequence of these old traditions, the Elder became the emblem of sorrow and death, and out of the legends which linger round the tree there grew up a host of superstitious fancies which still remain in the minds of simple country folk. Even in these prosaic days, one sometimes comes across a hedge-cutter who cannot bring himself to molest the rampant growth of its spreading branches for fear of being pursued by ill-luck. An old custom among gypsies forbade them using the wood to kindle their camp fires and gleaners of firewood formerly would look carefully through the faggots lest a stick of Elder should have found its way into the bundle, perhaps because the Holy Cross was believed to have been fashioned out of a giant elder tree, though probably the superstitious awe of harming the Elder descended from old heathen myths of northern Europe. In most countries, especially in Denmark, the Elder was intimately connected with magic. In its branches was supposed to dwell a dryad, Hylde-Moer, the Elder-tree Mother, who lived in the tree and watched over it. Should the tree be cut down and furniture be made of the wood, Hylde-Moer was believed to follow her property and haunt the owners. Lady Northcote, in The Book of Herbs, relates:

'There is a tradition that once when a child was put in a cradle of Elder-wood, HyldeMoer came and pulled it by the legs and would give it no peace till it was lifted out Permission to cut Elder wood must always be asked first and not until Hylde-Moer has given consent by keeping silence, may the chopping begin.'

Arnkiel relates:

'Our forefathers also held the Ellhorn holy wherefore whoever need to hew it down (or cut its branches) has first to make request "Lady Ellhorn, give me some of thy wood and I will give thee some of mine when it grows in the forest" - the which, with partly bended knees, bare head and folded arms was ordinarily done, as I myself have often seen and heard in my younger years.'

Mr. Jones (quoted in The Treasury of Botany), in his Notes on Certain Superstitions in the Vale of Gloucester, cites the following, said to be no unusual case:

'Some men were employed in removing an old hedgerow, partially formed of Eldertrees. They had bound up all the other wood into faggots for burning, but had set apart the elder and enquired of their master how it was to be disposed of. Upon his saying that he should of course burn it with the rest, one of the men said with an air of undisguised alarm, that he had never heard of such a thing as burning Ellan Wood, and in fact, so strongly did he feel upon the subject, that he refused to participate in the act of tying it up. The word Ellan (still common with us) indicates the origin of the superstition.'

In earlier days, the Elder Tree was supposed to ward off evil influence and give protection from witches, a popular belief held in widely-distant countries. Lady Northcote says:

'The Russians believe that Elder-trees drive away evil spirits, and the Bohemians go to it with a spell to take away fever. The Sicilians think that sticks of its wood will kill serpents and drive away robbers, and the Serbs introduce a stick of Elder into their wedding ceremonies to bring good luck. In England it was thought that the Elder was never struck by lightning, and a twig of it tied into three or four knots and carried in the pocket was a charm against rheumatism. A cross made of Elder and fastened to cowhouses and stables was supposed to keep all evil from the animals.'

In Cole's Art of Simpling (1656) we may read how in the later part of the seventeenth century:

'in order to prevent witches from entering their houses, the common people used to gather Elder leaves on the last day of April and affix them to their doors and windows,'

and the tree was formerly much cultivated near English cottages for protection against witches .

The use of the Elder for funeral purposes was an old English custom referred to by Spenser,

'The Muses that were wont green Baies to weave,

Now bringen bittre Eldre braunches seare.'

-------Shepheard's Calendar - November.

And Canon Ellacombe says that in the Tyrol:

'An Elder bush, trimmed into the form of a cross, is planted on a new-made grave, and if it blossoms, the soul of the person Iying beneath it is happy.'

Green Elder branches were also buried in a grave to protect the dead from witches and evil spirits, and in some parts it was a custom for the driver of the hearse to carry a whip made of Elder wood.

In some of the rural Midlands, it is believed that if a child is chastised with an Elder switch, it will cease to grow, owing, in this instance, to some supposed malign influence of the tree. On the other hand, Lord Bacon commended the rubbing of warts with a green Elder stick and then burying the stick to rot in the mud, and for erysipelas, it was recommended to wear about the neck an amulet made of Elder 'on which the sun had never shined.'

In Denmark we come across the old belief that he who stood under an Elder tree on Midsummer Eve would see the King of Fairyland ride by, attended by all his retinue. Folkard, in Plant-Lore, Legends and Lyrics, relates:

'The pith of the branches when cut in round, flat shapes, is dipped in oil, lighted, and then put to float in a glass of water; its light on Christmas Eve is thought to reveal to the owner all the witches and sorcerers in the neighbourhood';

and again,

'On Bertha Night (6th January), the devil goes about with special virulence. As a safeguard, persons are recommended to make a magic circle, in the centre of which they should stand, with Elderberries gathered on St. John's night. By doing this, the mystic Fern-seed may be obtained, which possesses the strength of thirty or forty men.'

This is a Styrian tradition.

The whole tree has a narcotic smell, and it is not considered wise to sleep under its shade. Perhaps the visions of fairyland were the result of the drugged sleep! No plant will grow under the shadow of it, being affected by its exhalations.

Apart from all these traditions, the Elder has had from the earliest days a firm claim on the popular affection for its many sterling virtues.

The popular pop-gun of small boys in the country has often been made of Elder stems from which the pith has been removed, which moved Culpepper to declare: 'It is needless to write any description of this (Elder), since every boy that plays with a pop-gun will not mistake another tree for the Elder.' Pliny's writings also testify that pop-guns and whistles are manufactures many centuries old!

Elder leaves are used in the preparation of an ointment, Unguentum Sambuci Viride, Green Elder Ointment, which is a domestic remedy for bruises, sprains, chilblains, for use as an emollient, and for applying to wounds. It can be compounded as follows: Take 3 parts of fresh Elder leaves, 4 parts of lard and 2 of prepared suet, heat the Elder leaves with the melted lard and suet until the colour is extracted, then strain through a linen cloth with pressure and allow to cool.

Sir Thomas Browne (1655) stated: 'The common people keep as a good secret in curing wounds the leaves of the Elder, which they have gathered the last day of April.' The leaves, boiled soft with a little linseed oil, were used as a healing application to piles. An ointment concocted from the green Elderberries, with camphor and lard, was formerly ordered by the London College of Surgeons to relieve the same complaint. The leaves are an ingredient of many cooling ointments: Here is another recipe, not made from Elder leaves alone, and very much recommended by modern herbalists as being very cooling and softening and excellent for all kinds of tumours, swellings and wounds: Take the Elder leaves 1/2 lb., Plantain leaves 1/4 lb., Ground Ivy 2 oz., Wormwood 4 oz. (all green); cut them small, and boil in 4 lb. of lard, in the oven, or over a slow fire; stir them continually until the leaves become crisp, then strain, and press out the ointment for use.

Oil of Elder Leaves (Oleum Viride), Green Oil, or Oil of Swallows, is prepared by digesting 1 part of bruised fresh Elder leaves in 3 parts of linseed oil. In commerce, it is said to be generally coloured with verdigris.

Like the bark, the leaves are also purgative, but more nauseous than the bark. Their action is likewise expectorant, diuretic and diaphoretic. They are said to be very efficacious in dropsy. The juice of Elder leaves is stated by the old herbalists to be good for inflammation of the eyes, and 'snuffed up the nostrils,' Culpepper declares, 'purgeth the brain.' Another old notion was that if the green leaves were warmed between two hot tiles and applied to the forehead, they would promptly relieve nervous headache.

The use of the leaves, bruised and in decoction to drive away flies and kill aphides and other insect pests has already been referred to.”

 

Native Americans regarded elderberry as an “Elder” plant. It was used to treat infections and as a tonic herb to promote health and vitality. They dried the berries for use during the winter and also used them to make a deep black dye for basket making. The flowers were also used to help ease the pain associated with rheumatism, sprains, and muscle aches. A poultice made from the flowers was applied externally to tone and soften skin and heal wounds. The trees were often grown near living areas for convenience and near graveyards.

J Lyle wrote “the flowers are a mild, diffusive, relaxing diaphoretic. When given in hot infusion it is excellent for the removal of colds and feverish conditions, also in measles and chicken pox. It influences the glandular system and is an excellent addition to alterative (blood-purifying) compounds. Its relaxing influence is felt by all the organs of secretion. It is a gentle laxative for children and is very soothing to the nerves”

WM Cook writes “the flowers contain a small quantity of volatile oil, which may be obtained by distillation, and becomes as stiff as butter on cooling. Their aroma, when fresh, is strong and rather pleasant; but becomes feeble by age. An ounce to a quart of water makes an infusion that is diffusibly relaxant and mildly diaphoretic, gently nervine, and useful in measles, recent colds, and as a soothing diuretic”

King's Dispensatory writes “In hot infusion, elder flowers are diaphoretic and gently stimulant; in cold infusion, they are diuretic, alterative, and cooling, and may be used in all diseases requiring such action The expressed juice of the berries, evaporated to the consistence of a syrup, is a valuable aperient and alterative. The flowers and expressed juice of the berries have been beneficially employed in scrofula, cutaneous diseases, syphilis, rheumatism, etc. The chief indication for Elder is a fullness or oedematous condition of the parts, giving them a watery and flabby appearance”

Elder Spring Cure
Take 7 large umbels (sprays) of Elder flowers and place in 7 litres of water. Add three thick slices of lemon without the seeds. Allow to macerate for 24 hours and then strain through cheese-cloth or muslin. Now add 1 kg of sugar and more lemon juice to taste. Stir thoroughly and allow to macerate for another 24 hours. The fresh elder juice is now ready to drink. For even better effects, the juice can be filled into bottles and stored in a cellar to allow carbonic acid to develop. This type of elder juice takes about 3-4 weeks for adequate carbonation. It is best chilled before use.

 

Elderberry has been used in folk medicine for centuries to treat influenza, colds and sinusitis, and has been reported to have antiviral activity against influenza and herpes simplex. We investigated the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry syrup for treating influenza A and B infections. Sixty patients (aged 18-54 years) suffering from influenza-like symptoms for 48 h or less were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study during the influenza season of 1999-2000 in Norway. Patients received 15 ml of elderberry or placebo syrup four times a day for 5 days, and recorded their symptoms using a visual analogue scale. Symptoms were relieved on average 4 days earlier and use of rescue medication was significantly less in those receiving elderberry extract compared with placebo. Elderberry extract seems to offer an efficient, safe and cost-effective treatment for influenza. These findings need to be confirmed in a larger study.

Sambucol, a black elderberry extract, appears to short-circuit flu symptoms, a new study shows. This is more evidence that this herbal treatment for flu -- if taken when flu-like symptoms first appear -- could help people get through this year's flu invasion a bit easier. In folk medicine, flowers from the black elder bush have been used to ease flu symptoms, colds, and sinus problems. In recent years, researchers have begun formal studies of Sambucol -- a formulation of elderberry extract -- to better understand this herbal remedy.

A small study published five years ago showed that 93% of flu patients given Sambucol were completely symptom-free within two days; those taking a placebo recovered in about six days. However, the study took place during an outbreak of influenza B -- so it was unclear whether Sambucol worked with type A virus.

This current study shows that, indeed, it works for type A flu, reports lead researcher Erling Thom, with the University of Oslo in Norway.

Thom's findings were presented at the 15th Annual Conference on Antiviral Research in 2002. The study has been accepted for publication in the Journal of International Medical Research.

The study involved 60 patients who had been suffering with flu symptoms for 48 hours or less; 90% were infected with the A strain of the virus, 10% were infected with type B. Half the group took 15 ml of Sambucol or and the other group took a placebo four times a day for five days.

Patients in the Sambucol group had "pronounced improvements" in flu symptoms after three days: Nearly 90% of patients had complete cure within two to three days. Also, the Sambucol group had no drowsiness, the downside of many flu treatments.

The placebo group didn't recover until at least day six; they also took more painkillers and nasal sprays.
It's likely that antioxidants called flavonoids -- which are contained in the extract -- stimulate the immune system, writes Thom. Also, other compounds in elderberry, called anthocyanins, have an anti-inflammatory effect; this could explain the effect on aches, pains, and fever.

Elderberry extract could be an "efficient and safe treatment" for flu symptoms in otherwise healthy people and for those with compromised immune systems, such as the elderly, Thom adds.

Russell Greenfield, MD, a leading practitioner of integrative medicine and medical director of Carolinas Integrative Health, advocates treating flu with black elderberry, he says in a news release. "It can be given to children and adults, and with no known side effects or negative interactions," he says.

Elderberry the dark blue/black fruit from the shrub Sambucus nigra has traditionally been used as a food made into wines, syrups, cordials, jams, and jellies as well as being a traditional medicine for the treatment of colds and flu during the winter season. Clinical trials conducted within the past 15 years have supported the traditional use of Elderberry for reducing the duration and severity of fever, headache, muscle ache, mucus production, and nasal congestion associated with colds and flu.

Recent placebo-controlled, double-blind studies, on Elderberry syrup found it to be an effective treatment for influenza by reducing hemagglutination and inhibiting replication of human influenza A and B viruses. Influenza virus particles have an envelope protein called hemagglutinin that binds to the cell. The virus also binds to red blood cells, causing the formation of a lattice. This is hemagglutination. Elderberry increases the hemagglutination inhibition in the body, blocking the virus from binding to the host. More recent in vitro studies have supported this mechanism by demonstrating that Elderberry extract acts to inhibit H1N1 viral infection in vitro by binding to H1N1 virions, blocking host cell entry and/or recognition, thus blocking replication of the virus, which must occur inside the cell. A recent pilot clinical trial examined the effect of Elderberry in the treatment of flu-like symptoms and showed positive outcomes for decreasing fever, headache, and nasal congestion at 24 and 48 hours post starting Elderberry extract.

No adverse effects of elderberry have been reported in any of the human clinical trials. Specific flavonoid compounds are major contributors to the immune-stimulating action of Elderberry. The flavonoids bind to specific proteins present on the surface of envelope viruses that are required for attachment and entry into host cells. By blocking the virus from attaching to the host cells, the Elderberry inhibits the virus’s ability to reproduce and flourish within the body. One specific effect of Elderberry is that it activates the healthy immune system by increasing inflammatory cytokine (IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8) production and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10.  This beneficial effect activates the immune system in healthy individuals or in patients with various diseases.

Elderberry active compounds demonstrate immunoprotective and immunostimulatory effects correlating with the findings of recent clinical studies that showed that flu patients treated with Elderberry recovered significantly quicker than those patients not treated with the Elderberry. Elderberry anthocyanin compounds have shown significant protective effects against oxidative stress, exhibiting antioxidant activity. In vitro research using plasma membrane and endothelial cells enriched with Elderberry anthocyanins confer significant protective effects against oxidative stress along with exhibiting an oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC) similar to cranberry.

Using Elderberry syrup during the active stage of colds and flu, to minimize distress, appears to support immune function and offers a natural, safe, and effective option. The use of Elderberry as part of a daily wellness plan during cold and flu season for immune support, inhibition of oxidative stress, and as an antiviral makes sense for a healthy immune system.

British Herbal Pharmacopeia suggest combine flower with:

Peppermint for colds and influenza; Yarrow, Boneset and Pleurisy Root for influenza; Cinnamon, Peppermint and Yarrow in influenzas infection Peppermint and Yarrow or Boneset in influenzas colds; Yarrow, Peppermint and Cassia Bark in the common cold; Yarrow, Catmint, Cayenne and Boneset in the common cold; Lime Tree flower in the common cold; Yarrow, Myrrh, Hyssop and Cayenne in the common cold; Pennyroyal and Yarrow in the common cold; Yarrow, Peppermint and Wood Sage in the common cold; Yarrow and Peppermint, as a febrifuge: Wild Yam and Marshmallow root for the treatment of appendicitis and diverticulitis; Yarrow and Hyssop.

Combine Leaf with: Common Ragwort and Comfrey leaf for sprain (topical treatment).

 

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