Elderberry - Uses and Side Effects
Elder flowers and berries have been used in primary treatment and as flavorings for centuries. In folk medicine, the flowers have been used for their diuretic and laxative properties and as an astringent. Discrete parts of the elder have been used to treat cancer and a host of other unrelated disorders. Elderberry is ready as an aqueous solution, berries, extract, flowers, oil, and wine.
Elderberry - Uses and Side Effects
Elderberry - Uses and Side Effects
Elderberry - Uses and Side Effects
Elderberry - Uses and Side Effects
Reported uses
Elderberry extracts are used to treat asthma, bronchitis, cough, epilepsy, fever, fungal infections, gout, headache, hepatic dysfunction, neuralgia, rheumatic diseases, and toothache. They are also used as diuretics, insect repellents, and laxatives.
Native Americans used tea made from elderberry flowers to treat respiratory infections. They also used the leaves and flowers in poultices applied to wounds, and the bark, suitably aged, as a laxative. The berries are oftentimes made into beverages, pies, and preserves, but they have also been used to treat arthritis.
Administration
Infusion (add 3 to 4 g of elderberry flowers to 5 oz of simmering water): 1 to 2 cups by mouth any times daily
Elderberry juice-containing syrup: Adults, 4 tablespoons daily for three days; children, 2 tablespoons daily for three days.
Hazards
Adverse reactions connected with elderberry contain diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. There are no known interactions with elderberry.
Pregnant and breast-feeding patients should avoid use.
Safety Risk Elderberry has been connected with cyanide-like poisoning. Patients should avoid consumption of berries from the dwarf elder (S.ebulus) because it can contain an especially high article of cyanide-like compounds.
Clinical considerations
Don't confuse elderberry with American elder (Sambucus canadensis).
Leaves and stems shouldn't be crushed when production elderberry juice because of possible for cyanide toxicity.
Elderberry may interfere with the intended therapeutic supervene of conventional drugs.
Elderberry (especially S. Ebulus) can cause cyanide-like poisoning characterized by diarrhea, vomiting, vertigo, numbness, and stupor-particularly if uncooked portions are consumed. It can also cause toxic reaction in children if they use elderberry stems for peashooters.
Uncooked elderberries are more likely to cause nausea.
Monitor patients for nausea and vomiting.
Warn inpatient not to treat symptoms of asthma, infection, or hepatic disease with elderberry before seeking thorough curative assessment because doing so may delay diagnosis of a potentially serious curative condition.
Inform inpatient of the toxic possible of distinct varieties of elderberry.
Advise inpatient to keep this and other herbal products out of children's reach.
Tell inpatient to remind pharmacist of any herbal or dietary supplement that he's taking when obtaining a new prescription.
Advise inpatient to consult his health care supplier before using an herbal preparing because a treatment with proven efficacy may be available.
Research summary
The concepts behind the use of elderberry and the claims made concerning its effects haven't yet been validated scientifically.
Elderberry - Uses and Side Effects