Elderberry

Aka: Elderberry, Sambucus canadensis, Black Elderberry, Sambucus nigra

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II. Indications

  1. Upper Respiratory Infections or Influenza-like illness (adults)
    1. Weak evidence of possible benefit
  2. Folk medicine
    1. Has also been used as a Diuretic or Laxative

III. Contraindications

  1. Autoimmune Conditions or Immunosuppressant Use
    1. Elderberry may have immunostimulant activity

IV. Precautions

  1. Cyanide-producing chemical is found in raw and unripe elderberries (or leaves)
  2. Do not ingest raw Elderberry

V. Dosing

  1. Study doses have varied widely and there is no standardized dose
  2. Some studies have used 175 mg lozenges four times daily for 2 to 5 days (starting within 1-2 days of URI)

VI. Safety

  1. Unknown safety in pregnancy (avoid)
  2. Unknown safety in Lactation (avoid)
  3. Unknown safety in children (avoid)

VII. Efficacy

  1. Influenza
    1. Small study in Emergency Department
    2. No evidence of benefit in Influenza duration or severity
    3. Macknin (2020) J Gen Intern Med 35(11):3271-7 +PMID: 32929634 [PubMed]
  2. Upper Respiratory Infection
    1. Limited evidence in adults of reduced symptom severity when used for prophylaxis or treatment
    2. Wieland (2021) BMC Complement Med Ther 21(1):112 +PMID: 33827515 [PubMed]

VIII. References

  1. (2024) Presc Lett 31(9): 54

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