FROM WEBMD.COM
ELDERBERRY
Other Names:
Arbre de Judas, Baccae, Baises de Sureau, Black-Berried Alder, Black Elder, Black Elderberry, Boor Tree, Bountry, Elder, Common Elder. Elder Berry, Elderberries, Elderberry Fruit, Ellanwood, Ellhorn, European Alder, European Black Elder, Europea...
See All NamesArbre de Judas, Baccae, Baises de Sureau, Black-Berried Alder, Black Elder, Black Elderberry, Boor Tree, Bountry, Elder, Common Elder. Elder Berry, Elderberries, Elderberry Fruit, Ellanwood, Ellhorn, European Alder, European Black Elder, European Black Elderberry, European Elderberry, European Elder Fruit, European Elderberry, Fruit de Sureau, Grand Sureau, Hautbois, Holunderbeeren, Sabugeuiro-negro, Sambequier, Sambu, Sambuc, Sambuci Sambucus, Sambucus nigra, Sambugo, Sauco, Saúco Europeo, Schwarzer Holunder, Seuillet, Seuillon, Sureau, Sureau Européen, Sureau Noir, Sus, Suseau, Sussier.
ELDERBERRY Overview Information
Elderberry is a plant. The berries are used to make medicine. Do not confuse elderberry with American Elder, Elderflower, or Dwarf Elder.
Elderberry is used for “the
flu” (
influenza), H1N1 "swine"
flu,
HIV/AIDS, and boosting the immune system. It is also used for
sinus pain, back and leg pain (
sciatica),
nerve pain (neuralgia), and
chronic fatigue syndrome (
CFS) .
Some people use elderberry for
hay fever (
allergic rhinitis),
cancer, as a
laxative for
constipation, to increase urine flow, and to cause sweating.
Elderberry fruit is also used for making wine and as a food flavoring.
How does it work?
Elderberry might affect the immune system. Elderberry seems to have activity against viruses including the flu, and might reduce inflammation.
Possibly Effective for:
“The
flu,” also called
influenza. A specific syrup containing elderberry juice (Sambucol, Nature’s Way) seems to relieve
flu symptoms and reduce the length of time the
flu lasts when taken by
mouth within 24-48 hours of the first symptoms. Some research also shows that an elderberry lozenge (ViraBLOC, HerbalScience) also reduces symptoms of the flu. Symptom relief seems to occur within 2 to 4 days of treatment for most people.
Insufficient Evidence for:
Heart disease. Early evidence shows that taking elderberry extract daily for 12 weeks does not reduce
symptoms of heart disease in postmenopausal women.
High cholesterol. Early evidence shows that taking capsules containing dried elderberry three times daily for 2 weeks does not reduce
cholesterol levels in people with
high cholesterol.
Cancer.
Constipation.
Nerve pain.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
H1N1 "swine" flu.
Hay fever.
HIV/AIDS.
Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate elderberry for these uses.
ELDERBERRY Side Effects & Safety
Taking an elderberry juice extract is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth for up to 12 weeks. It’s not known if taking elderberry juice extract is safe when used for long periods of time.
Elderberry is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when the leaves, stems, unripened fruit, or uncooked fruit is consumed. The cooked elderberry fruit seems to be safe, but raw and unripe fruit might cause nausea, vomiting, or severe diarrhea.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the safety of using elderberry during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
“Autoimmune diseases” such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions: Elderberry might cause the immune system to become more active, and this could increase the symptoms of autoimmune diseases. If you have one of these conditions, it’s best to avoid using elderberry.
Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination
Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants) interacts with ELDERBERRY
Elderberry can increase the immune system. Taking elderberry along with some medications that decrease the immune system might decrease the effectiveness of medications that decrease the immune system.
Some medications that decrease the immune system 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), corticosteroids (glucocorticoids), and others.
ELDERBERRY Dosing
The following doses have been studied in scientific research:
BY MOUTH:
The flu: one tablespoon (15 mL) 4 times daily of a specific elderberry juice-containing syrup (Sambucol, Nature’s Way) daily for 3-5 days. A dose of 15 mL (1 tablespoon) twice daily for 3 days has been used in children. A specific elderberry lozenge (ViraBLOC, HerbalScience) 175 mg 4 times daily for 2 days.
