Elderberry

Effects and Benefits

Core Identification

Common Names:
- Elderberry
- Elder
- Black Elder
- European Elder
- Elderflower (flowers)
- Sambucus

Latin Name: Sambucus nigra (European); Sambucus canadensis (American)

Category: Herb

Uses

Traditional Uses

• Colds, fevers, and influenza - European folk medicine, centuries
• Diaphoretic (fever-reducing through sweating) - European herbalism, ancient
• Eruptive infections (measles, chicken pox) - European folk medicine, traditional
• Skin tonic and cosmetic wash - European tradition, medieval
• Digestive support and mild laxative - European herbalism, ancient

Modern Uses

• Influenza treatment and prevention - Shortens duration and severity of flu symptoms | Research quality: Strong
• Key findings: Israeli research found 90% of people given elderberry extract recovered from flu in 2–3 days vs. 6 days for placebo. A 2004 randomized study showed symptoms relieved 4 days earlier in elderberry group. A 2014 review concluded "good scientific evidence" for effectiveness against influenza.

• Source citations: Zakay-Rones et al. (1995, 2004); Chevallier Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine; Barrett Handbook of Clinically Tested Herbal Remedies

• Upper respiratory infections (colds) - Antiviral activity speeds recovery | Research quality: Moderate

• Key findings: Berries have established antiviral activity helping prevent and speed recovery from colds. Flowers tone mucous membranes and increase resistance to infection.

• Source citations: Chevallier Encyclopedia; McIntyre Complete Herbal Tutor

• Immune system support - Enhances immune cell activity and cytokine production | Research quality: Moderate

• Key findings: Sambucol activates immunity by increasing cytokine production. In vivo studies show enhanced T cells, B cells, interferon, and IL-2 levels.

• Source citations: Buhner Herbal Antivirals; Brewer Encyclopedia of Vitamins

• Hay fever and allergies - Reduces severity of allergic symptoms | Research quality: Preliminary

• Key findings: Elderflower infusions with other herbs can reduce severity of hay fever attacks if taken months before allergy season.
• Source citations: Chevallier Encyclopedia

Active Compounds

Primary Active Ingredients:
- Anthocyanins - Powerful antioxidants creating inhospitable environment for viral replication; protect blood vessel walls
- Flavonoids (rutin, isoquercitrine, kaempferol) - Antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antiallergenic effects
- Lectins - Proteins that help regulate immune response
- Vitamins A and C - Antioxidant and immune support
- Triterpenes - Anti-inflammatory compounds
- Tannins - Astringent properties

Dosage Information

Standard Dosage:
- Form: Syrup, tincture, or infusion
- Amount: 1 tsp syrup daily (children); 1 tbsp daily (adults); or 2 tsp dried flowers per cup as tea
- Frequency: Once daily for prevention; three times daily for tea

Therapeutic Dosage:
- Form: Syrup or tincture
- Amount: 2 tbsp daily (children); 4 tbsp daily (adults); or 2–4 ml tincture
- Purpose: Active cold/flu infection
- Duration: Every 2–3 hours while symptomatic, decreasing as improving; typically 3–5 days

Maximum Safe Dosage:
- Daily maximum: 10–15 g dried flowers (Commission E)
- Warning threshold: Excess berry consumption can cause laxative effect

Bioavailability Notes:
- Anthocyanins are absorbed in glycated forms
- Berry syrups and tinctures are more concentrated than teas
- Combining flowers and berries may work more effectively than either alone

How to Take It

Timing:
- For prevention: Once daily, any time of day
- For active infection: Every 2–3 hours while awake
- Hot flower infusions specifically indicated for fever (induces sweating)
- Cold flower tea acts as diuretic rather than diaphoretic

Synergies - What It Works Well With

Complementary Supplements:
1. Peppermint - Traditional combination for colds and fever | Enhanced diaphoretic effect
2. Yarrow - Both diaphoretic herbs | Classic fever tea combination
3. Echinacea - Both immune-stimulating with complementary mechanisms | Enhanced immune support
4. Boneset - Specific traditional combination for influenza | Synergistic flu remedy
5. Vitamin C - Synergistic antioxidant effects | Enhanced immune response

Avoidance - What NOT to Combine With

Supplement Interactions:
1. None well-documented - Elder is generally considered safe with other supplements

Drug Interactions:
1. Immunosuppressants - Elder stimulates immune function | May counteract immunosuppressive therapy | Severity: Moderate
2. Diuretics - Elder has diuretic properties | May enhance fluid loss | Severity: Mild
3. Diabetes medications - May affect blood sugar levels | Monitor glucose | Severity: Mild

Food Interactions:
- None significant documented for properly prepared elderberry products

Safety Information

Contraindications:
- Autoimmune conditions (theoretical concern due to immune stimulation)
- Those on immunosuppressant therapy
- Fluid depletion conditions (due to diuretic effect)

Side Effects:
- Mild gastrointestinal upset (rare with properly prepared products)
- Laxative effect with excessive berry consumption
- Nausea and vomiting if raw/undercooked berries consumed

Long-Term Use:
- Properly prepared elderberry products considered safe for ongoing use
- Commission E lists no known contraindications for flowers
- Berry syrups widely used throughout winter months
- No cycling required for standard preparations

Special Precautions:
- Pregnancy/Breastfeeding: Avoid due to insufficient safety data
- Epilepsy: Use with caution (Commission E precaution)
- Surgery: Discontinue 2 weeks before due to potential immune effects
- Critical: Raw berries, bark, leaves, roots, and stems contain cyanogenic glycosides—always cook berries before consumption
- Species warning: Avoid red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa)—more toxic than black/blue varieties

Primary Uses At-a-Glance

Primary: Influenza, colds, fever, immune support, upper respiratory infections

Secondary: Hay fever, allergies, sinus congestion, catarrh

Sources

Local Library:
- Hoffman, David - Holistic Herbal – constituents, actions, preparation methods, combinations
- Wood, Matthew - The Earthwise Herbal Vol. 1 – traditional indications, dosing, toxicity
- McIntyre, Anne - The Complete Herbal Tutor – therapeutic uses, system-by-system applications
- Chevallier, Andrew - Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine – clinical research, traditional uses
- Buhner, Stephen Harrod - Herbal Antivirals – cytokine modulation, clinical studies
- Barrett, Marilyn - Handbook of Clinically Tested Herbal Remedies – Sambucol trials, Commission E data
- Gladstar, Rosemary - Medicinal Herbs – traditional preparation methods
- Brewer, Sarah - TDT Encyclopedia of Vitamins – clinical trial summaries
- Sams, Tina - Healing Herbs – bioflavonoid content, antiviral mechanisms
- Grogan, Barbara - Healing Herbs Handbook – safety cautions, species identification

General Knowledge:
- Template structure and formatting conventions