Sambucus nigra

Sambucus nigra [Image]. [2014]. Retrieved from: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sambucus_nigra_0002.JPG

Common name: 
Elder flower
(Bone, 2003, p.191)

Latin binomial:
Sambucus nigra

(Bone, 2003, p.191)

Family:
caprifoliacea 
(Bone, 2003, p.191) 

Parts used:
Flower
(Bone, 2003, p.191) 

Active constituents:

Flowers: 

• Flavenoids; including retin, isoquercitrine and kampherol
• Hydrocyanic glycoside sambunigrine
• Tannins
• Essential oils

Berries:

• Invert sugar
• Fruit acids
• Tannin
• Vitamin C & P
• Anthrocyanic pigments
• Traces of essential oil

(Hoffman, 1983, p.191). 

Actions:
Bark: 

• purgative
• emetic
• diuretic

Leaves

• External emollient
• Vulnerary
• Internally as purgative
• Expectorant
• Diuretic
• Diaphoretic

Flower:

• Diaphoretic
• Anticartarral

Berries:

• Diaphoretic
• Diuretic
• Laxatives

(Hoffman, 1983, p.191).

Indications:

• The leaves are used primarily for bruises, sprains, wounds and chilblains (Hoffman, 1983, p.191).
• The leaves have also been known to be good for being used as an ointment for tumours (Hoffman, 1983, p.191).
• The flowers are ideal for the treatment of colds and influenza (Hoffman, 1983, p.191).
• Indicated in any catarrah inflammation of the URT such as hayfever and sinusitis
  (Hoffman, 1983, p.191).
• Elder berries have similar uses to the flowers however also used for rheumatism (Hoffman, 1983, p.191).
• Used topically for inflammation of the eyes, skin disorders, wounds and burns (Bone, 2003, p.191).

Contraindications: 

•  There is a lack of sufficient data on the use of elderberry during pregnancy or lactation

(Basch Cheung, Goldberg, Hammerness,  Isaac, Khalsa, Mills, Romm, Rychlik, Ulbricht, Varghese, Weissner, Wortley, 2013)

Cautions:

• Use cautiously in patients with arrhythmias or cardiovascular disease, due to the potential of tachycardia from cyanide poisoning.
• Use cautiously in patients on blood pressure medications, due to the potential of blood pressure lowering, according to human research.
• Use cautiously in patients on chemotherapy agents, due to the potential of increased adverse effects.
• Use cautiously in patients with CNS disorders, due to the potential for CNS depression from cyanide poisoning.
• Use cautiously in patients with dermatological conditions, due to the potential for application site reactions from patches, according to human research. 
• Use cautiously in patients with diabetes or those taking antidiabetic agents, due to stimulation of glucose metabolism and promotion of insulin secretion from beta cells in vitro. 
• Use cautiously in patients with diarrhea or conditions causing diarrhea, due to the potential of laxative effects, according to human research.  

(Basch Cheung, Goldberg, Hammerness,  Isaac, Khalsa, Mills, Romm, Rychlik, Ulbricht, Varghese, Weissner, Wortley, 2013) 

Dosage:

• Liquid extract: 2-6 ml of 1:2 (per day) or 15-40ml of 1:2 per week
• Infusion: poor a cup of boiling water over 2 teaspoons of dried or fresh blossoms and leave to infuse for about 10 minutes- drink hot 3 times daily  

(Hoffman, 1983, 191).

Combinations:

• For colds and fevers it can be used with Peppermint, Yarrow or Hyssop. 
• For influenza it can be combined with boneset
• For Catarrhal it can be mixed with Golden rod.

(Hoffman, 1983, 191). 

References:

Basch Cheung, Goldberg, Hammerness,  Isaac, Khalsa, Mills, Romm, Rychlik, Ulbricht, Varghese, Weissner, Wortley. (2013) Natural standard professional monographs.

Bone, K. (2003) A clinical guide to blending liquid herbs; herbal formulations for the individual patient. Churchill, Livingstone: Missouri.

Hoffman, D. (1983) The holistic herbal. Element books: Dorset.