Dwarf Elder
OTHER NAME(S): Blood Elder, Blood Hilder, Danewort, Dwarf Elderberry, Palem, Peilam, Petit Sureau, Sauquillo, Sureau en Herbe, Sureau Hièble, Sureau Nain, Sureau Sauvage, Sureau Yèble, Sureau Yièble, Walewort, Yèble, Sambucus ebulus, Saúco Enano, Sureau hièble
Overview
Dwarf elder (Sambucus ebulus) is a plant native to parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia. Its fruit contains chemicals that can be toxic when consumed.
Dwarf elder leaf contains chemicals that might reduce swelling when applied to the skin.
People use dwarf elder for eczema, skin irritation, wound healing, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse dwarf elder with elderberry, American elder, or elderflower. These are not the same.
Uses
We currently have no information for Dwarf Elder overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Large amounts of any part of the dwarf elder plant are likely unsafe. It can cause loss of consciousness and death. There isn't enough reliable information to know if consuming small amounts of dwarf elder is safe.
When applied to the skin: Dwarf elder leaf extract is possibly safe. Gels, creams, and solutions that contain up to 10% dwarf elder leaf extract have been used for up to 4 weeks without serious side effects.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Large amounts of any part of the dwarf elder plant are likely unsafe. It can cause loss of consciousness and death. There isn't enough reliable information to know if consuming small amounts of dwarf elder is safe.
When applied to the skin: Dwarf elder leaf extract is possibly safe. Gels, creams, and solutions that contain up to 10% dwarf elder leaf extract have been used for up to 4 weeks without serious side effects.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Consuming large amounts of any part of the dwarf elder plant is likely unsafe while pregnant or breast-feeding. It can cause loss of consciousness and death. Avoid use.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Dwarf Elder overview.
Dosing
Dwarf elder has most often been used by adults in topical products such as creams, gels, and solutions. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition. Consuming any part of the dwarf elder plant by mouth can be unsafe.
References
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Professional's Handbook of Complementary & Alternative Medicines. 1st ed. Springhouse, PA: Springhouse Corp., 1999.
- Jabbari M, Daneshfard B, Emtiazy M, Khiveh A, Hashempur MH. Biological Effects and Clinical Applications of Dwarf Elder (Sambucus ebulus L): A Review. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017;22(4):996-1001.
- Ebrahimzadeh MA, Rafati MR, Damchi M, Golpur M, Fathiazad F. Treatment of Paederus Dermatitis with Sambucus ebulus Lotion. Iran J Pharm Res. 2014;13(3):1065-71.
- Jabbari M, Hashempur MH, Razavi SZE, Shahraki HR, Kamalinejad M, Emtiazy M. Efficacy and short-term safety of topical Dwarf Elder (Sambucus ebulus L.) versus diclofenac for knee osteoarthritis: A randomized, double-blind, active-controlled trial. J Ethnopharmacol. 2016;188:80-6.
- Schwaiger S, Zeller I, Pölzelbauer P, et al. Identification and pharmacological characterization of the anti-inflammatory principal of the leaves of dwarf elder (Sambucus ebulus L.). J Ethnopharmacol. 2011;133(2):704-9.
- Aghajanzadeh H, Abdolmaleki M, Ebrahimzadeh MA, Mojtabavi N, Mousavi T, Izad M. Methanolic extract of Sambucus ebulus ameliorates clinical symptoms in experimental type 1 diabetes through anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory actions. Cell J 2021;23(4):465-73.
- Farahani AM, Aryanian Z, Memariani Z, Mozaffarpur SA, Shirafkan H. A Comparison of the effect of topical preparation of Sambucus ebulus L. and hydrocortisone on hand eczema: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. J Altern Complement Med 2021;27(4):323-30.
- Kiselova-Kaneva Y, Nashar M, Roussev B, et al. Sambucus ebulus (Elderberry) Fruits Modulate Inflammation and Complement System Activity in Humans. Int J Mol Sci 2023;24(10):8714.