> Holistic Healing > Herbal Remedies > A-F > elderberry (Sambucus nigra)

Health Claims

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra, S. canadensis) reduces viral infections, including the common cold and flu.

How Does it Work?

Elderberry works as a simple cleanser and as an antioxidant. It is also a diaphoretic, diuretic, and hepatic. It is anti-inflammatory, anti-catarrhal, and acts as a mild laxative. This gentle herb is used for bronchitis, catarrh, common cold symptoms including coughs and sore throats, fevers, influenza, neuralgia, rheumatism, sciatica, skin disorders, and hay fever.

Two of the compounds found in Elder, alpha- and beta-amyrin palmitate, have been shown to exhibit strong antihepatotoxic activity, making it an excellent choice for combating liver damage. Other plant chemicals, the flavonoids, phenolic compounds and triterpenes, have antioxidant and antimicrobial qualities, with subtle “hormone-like” communication capabilities. This subtle herb can often avert problems before they get started, making it increasingly popular as an immune booster among people who have immune compromised health issues such as HIV.

What is The Evidence?

Elderberry’s use as a flu remedy dates back to Roman times. Current research shows a stimulation of antibody protection and a reduction of flu symptoms in three days or less. Dr. Madeleine Mumcuoglu of the Hadassah-Hebrew University in Israel found that Elderberry disarmed the neuraminidase enzyme, which flu viruses use to penetrate healthy organism cells. Twenty per cent of her flu study subjects reported significant improvement within 24 hours, 70 per cent within 48 hours, and 90 per cent were completely cured within three days. The subjects consuming Elderberry syrup also had higher levels of antibodies against the virus. In contrast, subjects receiving the placebo required six days to recover.

Elderberry has been proven effective against eight strains of influenza. This gives it a stronger batting average than any antiviral vaccine. Lab studies on Elderberry with the HIV, herpes, and Epstein-Barr viruses have all been encouraging.

How Should I Take It?

A tea made with 3 to 5 grams of the dried flowers steeped in 250 ml (1 cup) boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes may be taken three times a day. Liquid Elderberry extract may be taken twice a day in amounts of 5 ml (for children) to 10 ml (for adults). Twenty to 60 drops of the tincture may be taken two or three times a day.

Caveats

The leaves and stems of Elderberry are slightly toxic if ingested raw, but no other adverse reactions are known. At time of writing, no evidence of drug interactions with Elderberry was found in the medical literature.

The Bottom Line

Elderberry has been proven in many studies to reduce viral loads, especially cold and flu viruses. It also works as a gentle cleanser and tonic supporting longevity, as its common name “Elder” suggests.

References available. Terry Willard, ClH, PhD, is a practitioner, teacher and director of the Wild Rose College of Natural Healing in Calgary. His most recent book on natural medicine is Dr. Terry Willard’s Encyclopedia of Herbs (Key Porter Books, 2002). We welcome your feedback at editorial@alive.com.

Source: alive #253, November 2003