American Elder
OTHER NAME(S): American Elderberry, Common Elderberry, Elder Flower, Elderberry, Sabugueiro, Saúco, Saúco de Canada, Sureau, Sureau Blanc, Sureau du Canada, Sweet Elder, Sambucus canadensis, Sambucus, Saúco Americano, Sureau blanc
Overview
American elder (Sambucus canadensis) is a plant. Its flower and ripe fruit are used as medicine, but its stem contains toxic chemicals.
American elder flower and ripe fruit are rich sources of vitamin C. But its leaves, stems, and unripe fruit contain chemicals that can cause cyanide poisoning.
People sometimes use American elder for asthma, common cold, sore throat, headache, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse American elder with dwarf elder, elderberry, or elderflower. These are not the same.
Uses
We currently have no information for American Elder overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: American elder flowers and cooked, ripe fruit are commonly consumed in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if American elder flowers or cooked, ripe fruit are safe when used in larger amounts as medicine. Side effects might include dizziness, nausea, numbness, or vomiting.
American elder leaves, stems, or unripe fruit are possibly unsafe. They contain chemicals that can cause cyanide poisoning. Consuming large amounts of American elder juice can also be unsafe.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: American elder flowers and cooked, ripe fruit are commonly consumed in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if American elder flowers or cooked, ripe fruit are safe when used in larger amounts as medicine. Side effects might include dizziness, nausea, numbness, or vomiting.
American elder leaves, stems, or unripe fruit are possibly unsafe. They contain chemicals that can cause cyanide poisoning. Consuming large amounts of American elder juice can also be unsafe.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: American elder leaves, stems, and unripe fruit are likely unsafe when taken by mouth while pregnant or breast-feeding. There isn't enough reliable information to know if the flower or cooked, ripe fruit are safe. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Lithium interacts with American ElderAmerican elder might have an effect like a water pill or "diuretic." Taking American elder might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. This could increase how much lithium is in the body and result in serious side effects.
- Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates) interacts with American ElderSome medications are changed and broken down by the liver. American elder might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Dosing
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of American elder might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
References
- The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
- Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
- Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
- Budzinski JW, Foster BC, Vandenhoek S, Arnason JT. An in vitro evaluation of human cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibition by selected commercial herbal extracts and tinctures. Phytomedicine 2000;7:273-82.
- Holetz FB, Pessini GL, Sanches NR, et al. Screening of some plants used in the Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of infectious diseases. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2002;97:1027-31.
- Hu X, Yang Y, Tang S, et al. Anti-Aging Effects of Anthocyanin Extracts of Sambucus canadensis Caused by Targeting Mitochondrial-Induced Oxidative Stress. Int J Mol Sci 2023;24(2):1528.