This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
Danish elder flower contains bioactive compounds including sambunigrin, rutin, quercetin, and anthocyanins that exhibit antiviral and immunostimulating properties. These flavonoids work by inhibiting viral replication and modulating immune response, potentially reducing the severity and duration of respiratory infections. The flowers also promote sweating, which traditionally helps reduce fever. Evidence level C indicates limited clinical data but substantial traditional use supporting these mechanisms.
Does elder flower interact with any medications?
Elder flower may interact with immunosuppressant medications due to its immunostimulating properties, potentially reducing their effectiveness. This includes drugs prescribed for autoimmune conditions or following organ transplantation. Additionally, elder flower's diuretic effects may enhance the effects of diuretic medications. If you take prescription medications, consult your healthcare provider before using elder flower preparations. No significant clinical drug interaction studies exist (Evidence level C).
What is the correct dosage for elder flower?
For adults, the standard dosage is 2-4 grams of dried flowers or 5ml of tincture taken three times daily. Dried flowers are typically prepared as an infusion by steeping in hot water for 10-15 minutes. For acute cold or flu symptoms, this dosage may be taken at the onset of symptoms. Evidence level C supports these traditional dosing guidelines. Always follow product label instructions, as concentrations vary between preparations.
Is elder flower safe to take during pregnancy?
Danish elder flower is generally considered safe during pregnancy when used in recommended amounts. The flowers have a long history of traditional use without reported adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes. However, raw or unripe elder berries should be avoided due to potential nausea and toxicity. Pregnant women should consult their healthcare provider before starting any herbal preparation. Evidence level C indicates safety is based primarily on traditional use rather than clinical trials.
Can people with autoimmune diseases take elder flower?
People with autoimmune conditions should exercise caution with elder flower preparations. The herb's immunostimulating properties may potentially exacerbate autoimmune activity by further activating the immune system. Conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or multiple sclerosis warrant particular caution. Individuals with autoimmune diseases should consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before using elder flower. This contraindication is based on theoretical concerns and traditional knowledge (Evidence level C).
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 29 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Sambucus nigra (black elder) is a traditional medicinal plant used worldwide, particularly for treating viral infections and inflammation [PMID:28198157, PMID:38675372].
Background
Sambucus nigra L., also known as black elder or European elder, is a shrub of European origin [PMID:34648899, PMID:39534534].
Traditional uses
Flowers and berries have been used in folk medicine to treat fever, coughing, nasal congestion, influenza, and as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and diuretic agents [PMID:34648899]. In Poland, elder flower has been used in antipyretic preparations for upper respiratory tract infections in children [PMID:27162290].
Active compounds
Elderflowers contain a rich polyphenolic profile including flavonoids (rutin, quercetin, naringenin, kaempferol, apigenin), phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric, protocatechuic, and gallic acids), and acyl spermidines [PMID:23406267, PMID:28282861, PMID:41683541, PMID:41828765]. Essential oils from dry flowers contain various volatiles, including new natural esters of isosenecioic acid [PMID:37759401].
Mechanism of action
Elder extracts may inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production in macrophages and dendritic cells [PMID:28282861]. They have been shown to induce ATP binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) expression, which reduces cholesteryl ester accumulation in foam cells [PMID:38347122]. Pectic polysaccharides from elderflowers may act as immunomodulators [PMID:27475233].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DInflammation
Flower extracts demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity in vivo, though fruit extracts showed more pronounced dose-dependent reduction of granuloma weight in rats [PMID:38675372].
Evidence DInflammation (Mice)
Lyophilized aqueous extract of flowers reduced leukocyte influx and chemical mediator secretion in a carrageenan-induced inflammation model in mice [PMID:34648899].
Evidence CViral Infections/Influenza
Elderberry and related products have demonstrated antiviral and antimicrobial properties, though a deficit of studies comparing them to standard medications exists [PMID:28198157].
Evidence DAtherosclerosis
Aqueous elder extracts (flower and berry) counteract foam cell formation by enhancing macrophage cholesterol efflux [PMID:38347122].
Safety & adverse effects
The US FDA recognizes black elder as generally recognized as safe [PMID:28198157]. Allergic reactions to elderberry preparations have been reported rarely [PMID:30000895]. The bark, leaves, and root contain sambunigrin, which is potentially toxic due to the release of cyanide [PMID:30000895].
Pregnancy & lactation
No data exist on the excretion of elderberry components into breastmilk or on the safety and efficacy of elderberry in nursing mothers or infants [PMID:30000895].
Evidence summary
The evidence consists primarily of in vitro and in vivo animal studies (Level D) and literature reviews (Level C). While phytochemical profiles are well-documented, high-quality human clinical trials are lacking.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 30000895 (2006) — Elderberries-A Source of Bioactive Compounds with Antiviral Action. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2.PMID: 37759401 (2024) — New esters from the essential oil of dry flowers of elder (Sambucus nigra L.). · Journal of the science of food and agriculture
3.PMID: 28198157 (2017) — A Review of the Antiviral Properties of Black Elder (Sambucus nigra L.) Products. · Phytotherapy research : PTR
4.PMID: 23406267 (2013) — Acyl spermidines in inflorescence extracts of elder (Sambucus nigra L., Adoxaceae) and elderflower drinks. · Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
5.PMID: 39534534 (2024) — The genome sequence of black elder, Sambucus nigra Linnaeus, 1753 (Adoxaceae). · Wellcome open research
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
6.PMID: 35215351 (2022) — Black Elder and Its Constituents: Molecular Mechanisms of Action Associated with Female Reproduction. · Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
7.PMID: 24409980 (2014) — An evidence-based systematic review of elderberry and elderflower (Sambucus nigra) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. · Journal of dietary supplements
8.PMID: 36903609 (2023) — The Effect of the Plant Stabilisation Method on the Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Elderflower (Sambucus nigra L.) Extract. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
9.PMID: 25646848 (2015) — Traditional elderflower beverages: a rich source of phenolic compounds with high antioxidant activity. · Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
11.PMID: 38675372 (2024) — In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory and Antinociceptive Activities of Black Elder (Sambucus nigra L.) Fruit and Flower Extracts. · Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
12.PMID: 25647575 (2015) — Elderberries: a source of ribosome-inactivating proteins with lectin activity. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
13.PMID: 39519986 (2024) — From Supernatural to Ornamental: Black Elder (Sambucus nigra L., Family Adoxaceae) in Sweden. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
14.PMID: 34648899 (2022) — Sambucus nigra: A traditional medicine effective in reducing inflammation in mice. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
16.PMID: 28372174 (2017) — Unveiling elderflowers (Sambucus nigra L.) volatile terpenic and norisoprenoids profile: Effects of different postharvest conditions. · Food chemistry
17.PMID: 34505534 (2021) — Ovarian steroid hormone secretion by human granulosa cells after supplementation of sambucus nigra l. extract. · Physiological research
18.PMID: 24408862 (2014) — Identification and anti-oxidant capacity determination of phenolics and their glycosides in elderflower by on-line HPLC-CUPRAC method. · Phytochemical analysis : PCA
19.PMID: 28282861 (2017) — Elderberry and Elderflower Extracts, Phenolic Compounds, and Metabolites and Their Effect on Complement, RAW 264.7 Macrophages and Dendritic Cells. · International journal of molecular sciences
20.PMID: 27475233 (2016) — RG-I regions from elderflower pectins substituted on GalA are strong immunomodulators. · International journal of biological macromolecules
21.PMID: 34439888 (2021) — Chemical Characterization of Sambucus nigra L. Flowers Aqueous Extract and Its Biological Implications. · Biomolecules
22.PMID: 36559324 (2022) — Comparison of the Formulation, Stability and Biological Effects of Hydrophilic Extracts from Black Elder Flowers (Sambucus nigra L.). · Pharmaceutics
23.PMID: 41683541 (2026) — From Elderflower to Bioactive Extracts: Phytochemical Characterization and Anti-Inflammatory Activity. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
24.PMID: 41828765 (2026) — Elderberry and Linden Flowers Ethanol-Water Extracts: Extraction Type Effect, Analysis and Biological Activity Determination. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)