Elderberry and elderflower come from the elder plant, also known as sambucus nigra or black elder, sambucus candensis, antelope bush and blue elderberry. According to MedlinPlus, the flowers and leaves of the sambucus nigra and sambucus candensis species are most commonly used for medicinal purposes.
Origin
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, elderberry and elderflower originally came from the elder plant grown in Europe, Africa and Asia. However, the elder plant has been naturalized in other countries and is also now grown in the Americas. This towering medicinal plant grows to a height of 30 feet, and it grows best in sunny areas.
Medicinal Uses
There are purportedly many medicinal uses for elderberry and elderflower, as it has reportedly been used as a pain reliever to treat pain, inflammation and swellin, as well as a diuretic, a laxative and an expectorant. According to MedlinePlus, the berries, which contain immune system-boosting antioxidants called flavonoids, have been anecdotally reported to treat influenza, bacterial sinusitis, bronchitis and high cholesterol. As an aside, the bark of the elder plant has also been reported to be helpful when used as a laxative or a diuretic. However, it is important to note that these medicinal claims remain anecdotal at this juncture, as they have yet to be proven through controlled medical research.
Availability
Medicinal elderberry and elderflower are available in liquid and syrup form, as a tincture or extract, in capsules, and even as lozenges. It is noteworthy that elderberry and elderflower are considered natural herb supplements, and therefore are not regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. However, not all uses for elderberries are medicinal, as the tiny berries that are the fruit of the elder plant are considered a delicacy and sometimes used in making elderberry pies and even elderberry wine.
Dosages
Dosages for elderberry and elderflower vary depend on the condition being treated. For instance, for treating influenza, according to MedlinePlus, the recommendation is to take 4 tbsp. of elder extract three times per day. For bacterial sinusitis, taking two tablets of Sinupret three times per day is recommended. Sinupret is a capsule that contains 18mg of elderflower combined with a variety of other herbs. Also, elderflower can be steeped in 1 cup of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes and is the equivalent of 3g to 5g of elderflower.
Precautions
According to MedlinePlus, the bark, leaves and seeds of elderberries are potentially toxic when unripe and uncooked, as they contain cyanogenic glycoside sambunigrin, a form of cyanide. Though some studies have been done on elderberry and elderflower, more scientific research study is needed to test the efficacy and safety in both children and adults.
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