Elderflower
Scientific names: Sambucus nigra
Family: Adoxaceae/Sambucaceae
Alternate names: Arbre de Judas, Black-Berried Alder, Black Elder, Boor Tree, Bountry, Common Elder, Ellanwood, Ellhorn, European Alder, European Black Elder, European Black Elderflower, European Elderflower, European Elder Flower, Fleur de Sureau, Fleur de Sureau Noir, Flor de Saúco, Flos Sambuci, Hautbois, Haut Bois, Sambuc, Sambucus, Sambucus Flos, Sambucus Nigra Flos, Seuillon, Sureau Commun, Sureau Noir, Sussier, Sweet Elder
Background
Elderflower is the flower of the elder tree. An extract of the flower is used to make medicine.
Elderflower is used for common cold, flu (influenza), swelling (inflammation) of the nasal cavity and sinuses (rhinosinusitis), and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
In foods and beverages, elderflower is used as a flavoring component.
In manufacturing, elderflower extracts are used in perfumes.
Elderflower is used for common cold, flu (influenza), swelling (inflammation) of the nasal cavity and sinuses (rhinosinusitis), and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
In foods and beverages, elderflower is used as a flavoring component.
In manufacturing, elderflower extracts are used in perfumes.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Elderflower is LIKELY SAFE when used in amounts found in foods. Elderflower is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when used short-term as medicine, or in small amounts as part of a combination product containing elderflower, sorrel, gentian root, verbena, and cowslip flower (SinuComp, Sinupret). The combination product can cause digestive system upset and sometimes allergic skin rash.
Elderflower is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when used in excessive amounts. Some parts of the elder tree contain a cyanide-producing chemical which can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Cooking removes this chemical.
Diabetes: There is a concern that elderflower might lower blood sugar levels. If taken with diabetes medications, it might make blood sugar levels go too low. If you have diabetes and use elderflower, be sure to monitor your blood sugar levels carefully.
Surgery: Elderflower might lower blood sugar levels. There is some concern that it might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using elderflower at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Elderflower is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when used in excessive amounts. Some parts of the elder tree contain a cyanide-producing chemical which can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Cooking removes this chemical.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if elderflower is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Diabetes: There is a concern that elderflower might lower blood sugar levels. If taken with diabetes medications, it might make blood sugar levels go too low. If you have diabetes and use elderflower, be sure to monitor your blood sugar levels carefully.
Surgery: Elderflower might lower blood sugar levels. There is some concern that it might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using elderflower at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions
- Common cold.
- Constipation.
- Cough.
- Diabetes.
- Flu (influenza).
- Swelling (inflammation) of the main airways in the lung (bronchitis).
- Swelling (inflammation) of the nasal cavity and sinuses (rhinosinusitis).
- Swelling (inflammation) of the voice box (laryngitis).
- Minor bleeding.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- Sore eyes.
- Other conditions.
Dosing & administration
The appropriate dose of elderflower depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for elderflower. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Elderflower might decrease blood sugar levels. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking elderflower along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.
Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Elderflower might lower blood sugar levels. Using it along with other natural products that have the same effect might cause blood sugar levels to drop too low. Some of these products include alpha-lipoic acid, bitter melon, chromium, devil's claw, fenugreek, garlic, guar gum, horse chestnut, Panax ginseng, psyllium, Siberian ginseng, and others.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Action
There isn't enough reliable information available to know how elderflower might work.
Products
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Per 5 g (Watermelon & Berry):
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Per 2.5 mL:
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Per 1 mL:
- Sambucus nigra (Elderflower) ext. 41.7 mg
- Echinacea purpurea ext. 6.7 mg
- Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka honey) 65 mg
- Euphrasia
- Beta-carotene carotenoids (Vitamin A) 150 μg equiv. vitamin A RE 25 μg
- Cholecalciferol 0.25 μg equiv. vitamin D3 10 IU
- Zinc glycinate 443 μg equiv. zinc 125 μg
- Mentha x piperita ext. 13.3 mg
- Hedera helix ext. 5 mg
- Honey 325 mg
- Gelsemium sempervirens
- Sodium chloride (Nat mur)
- Anemone pulsatilla (Pasque flower)
- Allium cepa 3 C
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Per 1 mL:
- Sambucus nigra (Elderflower) ext. 41.7 mg
- Althaea officinalis ext. 50 mg
- Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka honey) 60 mg
- Beta-carotene carotenoids (Vitamin A) 150 μg equiv. vitamin A RE 25 μg
- Cholecalciferol 0.216 μg equiv. vitamin D3 8.6 IU
- Zinc glycinate 416 μg equiv. zinc 127 μg
- Honey 250 mg
- Bryonia alba
- Rumex crispus
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Per 1 mL:
- Sambucus nigra (Elderflower) ext. 22.22 mg
- Euphrasia
- Pulsatilla pratensis
- Echinacea purpurea ext. 13.34 mg
- Zinc glycinate 670 μg equiv. zinc 200 μg
- Calcium ascorbate dihydrate (Vitamin C) 24.33 mg equiv. ascorbic acid 20 mg
- Gelsemium sempervirens
- Rhus toxicodendron (Poison Ivy)
- Mentha x piperita ext. 13.33 mg
- Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) 0.25 μg equiv. vitamin D 10 IU
- Allium cepa (Onion)
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Per 10 mL:
- Sambucus nigra (Elderflower) ext. equiv. dry 2.1 g
- Euphrasia officinalis ext. equiv. dry 1.05 g
- Echinacea purpurea ext. equiv. dry 1.05 g
- Plantago lanceolata ext. equiv. dry 840 mg
- Achillea millefolium ext. equiv. dry 700 mg
- Tilia cordata ext. equiv. dry 700 mg
- Calendula officinalis ext. equiv. dry 420 mg
- Cinnamomum verum ext. equiv. dry 210 mg
- Pimpinella anisum (seed) oil
- Water
- Glycerol
- Alcohol
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Per serve (Loose Leaf):
- Sambucus nigra (Elderflower) (flower)
- Echinacea purpurea
- Backhousia citriodora (leaf)
- Glycyrrhiza glabra
- Zingiber officinale
100 cups Loose Leaf
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Per serve (Blueberry Wildflower):
- Sambucus nigra (Elderflower)
- Hydrolysed bovine collagen peptides
- Bovine collagen peptides 3 g
- Fragaria ananassa (juice) powder (Strawberry)
- Citrullus lanatus (Watermelon)
- Siraitia grosvenorii (Monk fruit)
- Myrciaria dubia (fruit) powder (Camu Camu)
- Equisetum arvense (herb)
- Natural strawberry flavour
- Viola odorata
- Matcha butterfly pea blend flower
- Natural pear flavour
- Punica granatum
- Vaccinium corymbosum (fruit) powder
- Rubus idaeus
- Psidium guajava (leaf) ext.
225 g Blueberry Wildflower
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Per 3 g:
- Sambucus nigra (Elderberry) (fruit)
- Sambucus nigra (Elderflower)
- Echinacea angustifolia
- Astragalus membranaceus
- Lycium barbarum
- Rosa canina
- Luo Han Guo (fruit) ext. (Monk fruit)
- Echinacea purpurea
- Glycyrrhiza glabra (root)
- Olea europaea (leaf)
- Calendula officinalis
- Origanum vulgare
- Uncaria tomentosa
- Mentha x piperita
- Thymus vulgaris
- Cola acuminata
- Foeniculum vulgare
- Inula helenium
- Asclepias tuberosa
- Achillea millefolium
- Armoracia rusticana
- Capsicum spp.
- Allium sativum
- Allium cepa
- Zingiber officinale
- Cordyceps sinensis (mushroom)
- Ganoderma lucidum (mushroom)
- Lentinula edodes (mushroom)
- Tremella fuciformis (mushroom)
- Trametes versicolor (mushroom)
- Salvia eremostachya
- Hericium erinaceus (mushroom)
- Inonotus obliquus (mushroom)
- Ilex paraguariensis
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This monograph was last reviewed on 07/12/2023 11:00:00 and last updated on 23/10/2020 01:46:55. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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