Respect the Elder(berry)

The Fruits And Flowers Of Black Elder Protect Against More Than Seasonal Viruses

The blessings of elder are many. In ancient times, the Druids considered it protective, particularly for important occasions like birth and death. From Hippocrates to the US Pharmacopoeia and modern research, elder is a plant used by many cultures throughout history.

Black elder (Sambucus nigra spp. canadensis) is a deciduous shrub of the honeysuckle family. While much of this plant (especially its bark and roots) may be fairly toxic, the cooked fruit and heated flowers are used to make a safe and useful medicine. A complex botanical, black elder contains flavonoids, lectins, fatty acids, sterols, and tannins. Its proven benefits include antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory action.

THE RIGHT STUFF

Elder flowers are effective for lowering fevers through increased sweating: Take as a tea infusion or add to the bath water as a strong tea. According to the German Commission E, black elder flowers increase bronchial secretion, explaining their use for bronchial congestion, even in children. Herbalists Steven Foster and Christopher Hobbs recommend a tea of warm elder flowers for colds, fever, and headaches. The flowers also contain cosmetic activitiy to beautify the complexion and delay wrinkles.

The blue-black berry is particularly useful in preventing and treating upper respiratory infection, fever, and even constipation. "At the onset of a cold or flu, a dose of elderberry syrup helps you sleep deeply and wake refreshed and on the road to recovery," says clinical herbalist Brigitte Mars. The berries are rich in vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, and beta carotene.

CURRENT RESEARCH

Influenza has been the focus of many studies using elderberry. Apparently, this herb contains substances that lock receptor sites on several strains of flu viruses, preventing them from infecting humans. Unlike flu shots that immunize against only one to three strains, elderberry protects against eight different influenza strains.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study using this herb for an outbreak of influenza showed significant improvement of the symptoms, including fever, in 93 percent of the cases--within 2 days. Nearly 90 percent of those treated with elderberry experienced a complete cure within 3 days, compared with the placebo group who took 6 days to recover. A second study with a commercial preparation of elder, conducted on 60 patients in Norway, showed a reduction in the duration of the flu by about 4 days.

Recent Israeli research finds elder effective against 10 different strains of flu. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized study, a standardized black elderberry extract also offered immuno-protective and immuno-stimulatory effects, making it potentially useful to cancer and AIDS patients. Elder has also been tested in cell cultures for four different strains of the herpes virus with promising results.

As a general antioxidant, black elderberry protects the body against cell destruction caused by free radical damage, the scourge of ill health and aging. Investigators at Tufts University in Boston have been studying the benefits of elderberry in preventing oxidative stress. The anthocyanins in this herb appear effective in protecting endothelial cells against harmful changes linked to vascular diseases.

HOW TO USE ELDER

In standardized commercial preparations, both black elder flower and berry are safe. Children like the flavor of elderberry syrup available in natural products stores. Though used less often, the leaves of black elder make healing external applications for eczema, wounds, and hives or to treat bruises and sprains.

As a class 1 herb, black elder (either in correctly prepared flower or berry products) has no known drug interactions. Nor are there any known side effects when black elder is used appropriately, although the berries should never be eaten raw.

A founding member of the American Herbalist Guild, Mindy Green serves as program specialist for the Integrative Resources Center at the University of Colorado Cancer Center.

Selected Sources

*"The Effect of Sambucol, Black Elderberry Based Product, on the Production of Human Cytokines" by V. Barak

*Kids, Herbs, & Health by Linda B. White, MD and Sunny Mavor, AHG

*Medicinal Plants and Herbs by Steven Foster and Christopher Hobbs

*Prescription for Herbal Healing by Phyllis A. Balch, CMC

*"...Reduction of Symptoms by an Elderberry Extract (Sambucus nigraL.) During and Outbreak of Influenze B Panama" by Z. Zakay-Rones