Elderflower
OTHER NAME(S): Arbre de Judas, Black-Berried Alder, Black Elder, Boor Tree, Bountry, Common Elder, Ellanwood, Ellhorn, European Alder, European Black Elder, European Black Elderflower, European Elderflower, European Elder Flower, Fleur de Sureau, Fleur de Sureau Noir, Flos Sambuci, Hautbois, Haut Bois, Sambuc, Sambucus, Sambucus Flos, Sambucus Nigra Flos, Seuillon, Sureau Commun, Sureau Noir, Sussier, Sweet Elder, Sambucus nigra, Elder flowers, Flor de Saúco, Fleur de sureau
Overview
Elderflower is the flower of the European or black elder tree (Sambucus nigra), which is also the source of elderberry. Its flower is used as medicine.
Elderflower contains chemicals that have antioxidant effects. It also contains chemicals that might have antidiabetic effects.
People sometimes use elderflower for common cold, constipation, diabetes, obesity, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse elderflower with American elder, dwarf elder, or elderberry. These are not the same.
Uses
We currently have no information for Elderflower overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Elderflower is commonly consumed in foods. Dried elderflower is possibly safe when used in doses of 3.9 grams daily for 8 days, or in small amounts as part of a specific combination product containing elderflower, sorrel, gentian root, verbena, and cowslip flower (SinuComp, Phytopharmica) for up to 14 days. But elderflower is possibly unsafe when used in excessive amounts. Some parts of the elder tree contain a toxin that can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough relatable information to know if elderflower is safe or what the side effects might be.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Elderflower is commonly consumed in foods. Dried elderflower is possibly safe when used in doses of 3.9 grams daily for 8 days, or in small amounts as part of a specific combination product containing elderflower, sorrel, gentian root, verbena, and cowslip flower (SinuComp, Phytopharmica) for up to 14 days. But elderflower is possibly unsafe when used in excessive amounts. Some parts of the elder tree contain a toxin that can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough relatable information to know if elderflower is safe or what the side effects might be.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if elderflower is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Surgery: Elderflower might lower blood sugar levels. This might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using elderflower at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Pazopanib (Votrient) interacts with ElderflowerTaking elderflower with pazopanib might increase the risk of liver side effects.
- Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with ElderflowerElderflower might lower blood sugar levels. Taking elderflower along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Dosing
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of elderflower 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
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- Marz RW, Ismail C, Popp MA. Action profile and efficacy of a herbal combination preparation for the treatment of sinusitis. Wien Med Wochenschr 1999;149:202-8.
- 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
- Forster-Waldl E, Marchetti M, Scholl I, Focke M, et al. Type I allergy to elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is elicited by a 33.2 kDa allergen with significant homology to ribosomal inactivating proteins. Clin Exp Allergy 2003;33:1703-10.
- Gray AM, Abdel-Wahab YH, Flatt PR. The traditional plant treatment, Sambucus nigra (elder), exhibits insulin-like and insulin-releasing actions in vitro. J Nutr 2000;130:15-20.
- Elderberry (Sambucus species). The Poison Plant Patch, Novia Scotia Museum, 2007. Available at: https://museum.gov.ns.ca/poison/?section=species&id=117 (Accessed 16 October 2009).
- European elder. Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System. Available at: https://www.cbif.gc.ca/pls/pp/ppack.jump?p_null=all&p_psn=121&p_type=all&p_sci=comm&p_x=px (Accessed 16 October 2009).
- Picon, P. D., Picon, R. V., Costa, A. F., Sander, G. B., Amaral, K. M., Aboy, A. L., and Henriques, A. T. Randomized clinical trial of a phytotherapic compound containing Pimpinella anisum, Foeniculum vulgare, Sambucus nigra, and Cassia augustifolia for chronic constipation. BMC.Complement Altern.Med. 2010;10:17.
- Melzer, J., Saller, R., Schapowal, A., and Brignoli, R. Systematic review of clinical data with BNO-101 (Sinupret) in the treatment of sinusitis. Forsch Komplement.Med (2006.) 2006;13(2):78-87.
- Vlachojannis JE, Cameron M, Chrubasik S. A systematic review on the sambuci fructus effect and efficacy profiles. Phytother Res. 2010 Jan;24(1):1-8.
- Cunha S, Meireles D, Machado J. Sambucus nigra - a promising natural source for human health. Exp Pathol Health Sci. 2016;8(2):59-66.
- Chrubasik C, Maier T, Dawid C, et al. An observational study and quantification of the actives in a supplement with Sambucus nigra and Asparagus officinalis used for weight reduction. Phytother Res 2008;22:913-8.
- Peric A, Kovacevic SV, Gacesa D, Peric AV. Efficacy and safety of combined treatment of acute rhinosinusitis by herbal medicinal product Sinupret and mometasone furoate nasal spray. ENT Updates 2017;7(2):68-74.
- Viapiana A, Wesolowski M. The phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of infusions of Sambucus nigra L. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2017;72(1):82-7.
- Mikulic-Petkovsek M, Samoticha J, Eler K, Stampar F, Veberic R. Traditional elderflower beverages: a rich source of phenolic compounds with high antioxidant activity. J Agric Food Chem. 2015;63(5):1477-87.
- Agarwal N, Mangla A. Elderberry interaction with pazopanib in a patient with soft-tissue sarcoma: A case report and literature review. Mol Clin Oncol 2024;20(5):36.