Elder

Elder

Latin Name: Sambucus nigra
Family: Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle)

Part used: Flower, berries.
Energetics: a bit pungent, sweet & bitter, neutral with cooling effect.
Iris: All types
Interactions: Please check with your Healthcare Provider.

Safe alongside Herb
  • Furosemide
  • Glipizide
  • Metformin
  • Spironolactone
Unsure alongside Herb
  • Alendronate
  • Clodronate, sodium tetrahydrate
  • Ibandronate
  • Pamidronate, disodium
  • Risedronate
  • Tiludronate disodium
  • Zoledronic acid

CONTRA-INDICATIONS

  • Lower doses used in pregnancy due to potential GI distress but generally safe in pregnancy
  • Raw or unripe elderberries contain toxic compounds known as cyanogenic glycosides and must be cooked sufficiently to avoid risk of cyanide toxicity
  • Elderberry leaves and stems also contain these compounds and should not be ingested at all
  • Consuming elder bark, leaves and raw elderberries have caused poisoning and hospitalisation.

ACTIONS

  • Immunity
  • Diaphoretic
  • Adaptogen
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Laxative
  • Anticatarrhal
  • Diuretic
  • Antibacterial
  • Anti-viral
  • Anti-protozoa
  • Detoxifier
  • Astringent
  • Immune modulator
  • Insect repellent
  • Expectorant
  • Nervine

Main Constituents

  • Flavonoids
  • Oil
  • Tannins
  • Mucilage
  • Triterpenes
  • Anthocyanins
  • Bioflavonoids
  • Vitamins: A, C (36mg in 100g fruit), K, Fe.

Main Uses

Digestive System: Colic, Diarrhoea, Heartburn, Indigestion, Gastritis, Gastro-enteritis, Wind
Skin: Dermatitis, Eczema, The rash of Chicken pox and Measles (hot infusion of the flowers), Wounds, Sore nipples
Circulatory: Blood purifier, Anaemia, Varicose veins, Haemorrhoids, Berries reduce LDL cholesterol and help prevent atherosclerosis
Immune System: Influenza, Early stages of fever with dry skin and raised body temperature, Cellulitis, Glandular fever
Respiratory System: Catarrh, Tonsillitis, Colds, Bronchial congestion, Laryngitis, Sinusitis
Urinary System: Promotes the flow of urine
Nervous system: Berries induce sleep and encourage rest during times of illness in adults and children. Anxiety, restlessness. Adaptogenic during times of stress.

Infections:
Bacteria: Pseudomonas, Salmonella, Shigella
Protozoa: Leishmania
Viruses: Epstein-Barr Virus, Herpes Simplex 1, HIV, Influenza A and B, Paramyxovirus

More About Elder

Colds and 'Flu'
Elder is wonderful at treating external conditions involving the skin, lungs and head. It helps to clear up mucus congestion and catarrhal discharge.
It is a great fever remedy and can be taken right at the start of feeling unwell to help with aches, pains, sore throat, chills etc.
It helps to promote urination and is useful in infectious conditions of the kidney and bladder, but also infections of the mouth, throat and eyes.
Flowers - considered more diaphoretic.
Berries - immuno-supportive and adaptogenic.
The anthocyanins in the berries support and protect the blood vessels and the berries reduce LDL cholesterol.
The flowers are astringent to the gut and the mucilage content can ease heartburn, gastro-enteritis and colic.
Combines well with Sage, Apple cider vinegar and honey to make a gargle in cases of tonsillitis.
Combines well with Yarrow and Mint tea for Influenza.

Recipes:


Elderberry Muffins

Ingredients:

  • Crumble Topping:
  • Approx. 59g of vegan butter (or normal butter), softened
  • Approx. 118g of all purpose/plain flour
  • Approx. 59g of chopped nuts
  • Approx. 118g of brown sugar

Muffing Mixture:

  • Approx. 472g of all purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Approx. 59g of apple sauce (unsweetened)
  • 8 tablespoons vegan butter (or normal butter), melted
  • Approx. 236g of soy or oat milk
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • Approx. 227g of granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • Approx. 295g of fresh elderberries rinsed and drained

Instructions:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Mix together crumble topping ingredients. Set aside.
  • Mix dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt) in a large bowl.
    In a separate bowl, mix the apple sauce, alternative milk, vinegar, sugar, melted butter, and vanilla.
  • Place elderberries in a small bowl and add 1 to 2 tablespoons of the flour mixture. Gently stir the elderberries to coat them with the flour mixture.
  • Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and stir until the dry ingredients are just moistened. Add the berries. It’s ok for the batter to be lumpy because you don’t want to over mix so the muffins will be fluffy.
  • Pour the batter into muffin cups, sprinkle with the crumble topping (optional, but highly recommended), and bake for about 17 to 20 minutes. Let cool for several minutes before serving.
Elderberry Syrup

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup dried elderberries (or 2 cups fresh elderberries)
  • 4 cups water
  • 1-2 inches fresh ginger root, grated (optional, for added flavour and health benefits)
  • 1 cinnamon stick (optional)
  • 1 cup raw honey

Instructions:

  • Prepare Ingredients: If you're using fresh elderberries, make sure to remove the berries from the stems as the stems can be toxic. If you're using dried elderberries, measure out 1 cup.
  • Cook the Elderberries: In a large pot, combine the elderberries, water, grated ginger, and cinnamon stick. Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and allow it to simmer for about 45 minutes to an hour, or until the liquid has reduced by almost half.
  • Strain the Mixture: Once the liquid has reduced, remove it from the heat. Using a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth, strain the liquid into a bowl, pressing on the berries to extract as much juice as possible. Discard the berries and other solids.
  • Add Honey: Allow the liquid to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, stir in 1 cup of raw honey until it's fully dissolved.
  • Store: Pour the elderberry syrup into a clean glass bottle or jar. Seal it tightly and store in the refrigerator.

Usage:

  • Adults can take 1 tablespoon daily for immune support or every 3-4 hours when experiencing cold or flu symptoms.
  • Children over one year can take 1-2 teaspoons daily for immune support or every 3-4 hours when experiencing cold or flu symptoms.
  • Note: Do not give honey to children under one year of age.

Storage:
Elderberry syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 weeks

References


Anti-inflammatory, modulating activity

Elderberry and Elderflower Extracts, Phenolic Compounds, and Metabolites and Their Effect on Complement, RAW 264.7 Macrophages and Dendritic Cells.
Elderberry and elderflower constituents may possess inflammatory modulating activity, which increases their nutritional value.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28282861/

Hormone secretion, progesterone, steroidogenesis, ovarian cells

Ovarian steroid hormone secretion by human granulosa cells after supplementation of sambucus nigra l. extract.
On the other hand, both elderflower and elderberry extracts stimulated the secretion of progesterone by HGL5 cells at a lower dose (12.5 microg.ml-1; p<0.05), as compared to control. Therefore, elderflower and elderberry extracts may have the potential to regulate steroidogenesis in ovarian cells.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34505534/

Respiratory symptoms, viral infections

Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) supplementation effectively treats upper respiratory symptoms: A meta-analysis of randomized, controlled clinical trials.
Supplementation with elderberry was found to substantially reduce upper respiratory symptoms. These findings present an alternative to antibiotic misuse for upper respiratory symptoms due to viral infections, and a potentially safer alternative to prescription drugs for routine cases of the common cold and influenza.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30670267/

Influenza A, influenza B, symptom relief

Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B virus infections.
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.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15080016/

Periodontitis, anti-inflammatory

Inhibition of Proinflammatory Activities of Major Periodontal Pathogens by Aqueous Extracts From Elder Flower (Sambucus nigra).
The elder flower extract displays useful anti-inflammatory properties that could be exploited therapeutically for the control of inflammation in human periodontitis.
https://aap.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1902/jop.2006.050232

Chemopreventive

A comparative evaluation of the anticancer properties of European and American elderberry fruits.
Both cultivated S. nigra and wild S. canadensis fruits demonstrated significant chemopreventive potential through strong induction of quinone reductase and inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17201636/

Constipation, laxative effect

Randomized clinical trial of a phytotherapic compound containing Pimpinella anisum, Foeniculum vulgare, Sambucus nigra, and Cassia augustifolia for chronic constipation
A phytotherapic compound containing Pimpinella anisum L., Foeniculum vulgare Miller, Sambucus nigra L., and Cassia augustifolia is largely used in Brazil for the treatment of constipation.The findings of this randomized controlled trial allow to conclude that the phytotherapic compound assessed has laxative efficacy and is a safe alternative option for the treatment of constipation.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20433751/

Anti-oxidant, endothelial cells, 

Incorporation of the elderberry anthocyanins by endothelial cells increases protection against oxidative stress.
The enrichment of EC with elderberry anthocyanins conferred significant protective effects in EC against the following oxidative stressors: hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)); 2, 2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH); and FeSO(4)/ascorbic acid (AA). These results show for the first time that vascular EC can incorporate anthocyanins into the membrane and cytosol, conferring significant protective effects against oxidative insult. These findings may have important implications on preserving EC function and preventing the initiation of EC changes associated with vascular diseases.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10962205/

Dry Eyes

This study investigated the effects of combined supplementation with lutein, zeaxanthin, and elderberries in 110 voluntary participants through a randomized controlled trial.
The study found that combined supplementation significantly reduced OSDI scores by 52.2% (p < 0.05) and improved VAS scores by 26.7% (p < 0.05), indicating notable improvements in ocular symptoms. However, the 15.9% improvement in ISQ scores was not significant, suggesting that higher doses or longer durations may be required. The Food Frequency Questionnaire revealed that participants' lutein and zeaxanthin intake was only 5.5% of the recommended daily amount, highlighting a potential dietary deficiency linked to ocular disease risk. Overall, the results support supplementation as a beneficial strategy for enhancing ocular health.
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/24/4366

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