About The Herb Elder

[Guest guest]

Here is some information about a noteworthy herb - especially good to

know about during the cold and flu season (which is upon us)

 

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

 

http://www.alittleolfactory.com

 

 

http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/g2603/0000/2603000049/p1/article.jhtm

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Elder

Author/s: Greg Annussek

Description

Gaining popularity in modern times as a cold and flu medicine, elder

flower has been an important folk remedy for centuries. The Roman

naturalist Pliny wrote about the therapeutic value of this flowering

tree in the 1st century A.D.. Native Americans used elder as a treatment

for respiratory infections

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and constipation

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well as an herbal pad for healing wounds

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Black elder (Sambucus nigra) is the most popular variety of the plant,

though there are other species known to have similar chemical

ingredients. Elder grows in Europe, Asia, North Africa, and the United

States. Most medicinal elder is obtained from the former Soviet Union,

Eastern Europe, and the United Kingdom. The Latin word sambucus is

thought to be derived from the Greek sambuca, which refers to a stringed

musical instrument popular among the Ancient Romans. In fact, some

modern day Italians still make a primitive pipe called a sampogna from

the branches of the tree, which also produces fragrant, cream-colored

flowers and deep-violet berries. The flowers and berries are used most

often in the drug of commerce, though the leaves, bark, and roots are

also considered to have therapeutic effects. The berries traditionally

have been used to make elderberry wine as well as pies and jellies,

although no value has yet been found in these products.

The German Commission E, considered an authoritative source of

information on alternative remedies, determined that elder has the

ability to increase bronchial secretions as well as perspiration. These

properties can be useful in helping to alleviate symptoms of the common

cold

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the flu. Even more interesting is the possibility that elder, like

another herbal remedy called echinacea

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may have the power to shorten the duration of colds by up to a few days.

While it is not known exactly how elder produces its therapeutic

effects, study has focused on several naturally occurring chemicals in

the plant. Elder's flavonoids and phenolic acids are thought to be

responsible for its ability to increase perspiration. The triterpenes in

elder may also be potential " active ingredients, " though more study is

required to confirm this. The remaining chemical constituents of

medicinal elder usually include potassium

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and other minerals; sterols; volatile oils containing linoleic,

linolenic, and palmitic acid; mucilage; pectin; protein; sugar; and

tannins.

A number of other properties have been ascribed to elder as well,

including anti- inflammatory, diuretic, antiviral, and antispasmodic

activities. A 1997 study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology,

which studied black elder in the test tube, indicates that the herb has

some activity as an anti-inflammatory. While this may help to partially

explain elder's success in treating colds, it also suggests that the

herb may have potential as a treatment for inflammatory diseases such as

rheumatism. Elder has also been described in the history of folk

medicine as a laxative and a sedative.

General use

While not approved by the FDA, black elder flower is

primarily used in the United States and Europe for colds and the flu.

When taken internally, elder flower is approved by the Commission E for

colds. In Germany, elder flower tea is licensed by the government to

treat the common cold and other upper respiratory problems. By

increasing bronchial secretions as well as perspiration, elder is

believed to help ease symptoms such as cough

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and fever

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and may even shorten a cold's duration. In the United States and Canada,

elder is often combined with peppermint

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leaf and yarrow

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flower in preparations intended to alleviate cold-related fever.

In a study published in the Journal of Alternative and

Complementary Medicine in 1995, use of a standardized elderberry extract

shortened the duration of the flu by about three days. The

placebo-controlled, double- blind study involved the residents of an

Israeli kibbutz. " A significant improvement of the symptoms, including

fever, was seen in 93.3% of the cases in the SAM-treated group

[elder-treated group] within 2 days, " the researchers reported, " whereas

in the control group 91.7 of the patients showed an improvement within 6

days. " About 90% of the people treated with elder were considered

flu-free in two to three days, while the majority of patients in the

placebo group only got well after about 6 days. The authors of the study

recommended elder as a possible treatment for influenza

<http://www.findarticles.com/g2603/0000/2603000070/p1/article.jhtml> A

and B based on the herbal remedy's effectiveness, lack of side effects,

and low cost. By way of comparison, over-the-counter synthetic drugs may

offer some measure of symptomatic relief for a cold but have not been

proven to actually speed recovery. Elder is also being investigated as a

treatment for other viral infections such as human immunodeficiency

virus (HIV) and herpes.

Throughout its long history, elder has been used to

treat a variety of other diseases and medical problems. These include

liver disease, kidney disorders, rheumatism, insomnia

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toothaches, measles

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asthma

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cancer

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chafing, epilepsy

<http://www.findarticles.com/g2603/0003/2603000345/p1/article.jhtml> ,

gout

<http://www.findarticles.com/g2603/0000/2603000062/p1/article.jhtml> ,

headaches, neuralgia

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psoriasis

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syphilis

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and laryngitis

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It has also been used topically as an herbal pad to reduce external

swelling and heal wounds. Some women have used elder to increase the

amount of milk produced during breastfeeding. However, as of early 2000,

sufficient scientific evidence to support these additional uses is

lacking. While elder has been used as a folk remedy for treating

diabetes, studies in rodents suggest that it has no effects on blood

sugar regulation.

Preparations

Dosage of elder generally ranges from 10-15 g per day, divided into

three equal doses. The drug, which is recommended for internal use only,

is usually taken as a tea or liquid extract. Elder tea can be prepared

by steeping 3-4 g (2 teaspoonfuls) of dried elder flower in 150 ml of

hot (not boiling) water. The mixture should be strained after about 5

minutes. The tea works best when it is consumed at a temperature as hot

as can be safely tolerated. Dosage is several cups of tea a day (do not

exceed the daily maximum of 15 g of elder), taken in the afternoons and

evenings. When using a standardized liquid extract of elder, follow the

package directions for proper use.

Precautions

Taken in recommended dosages, elder is not known to be harmful. It

should be used with caution in children, women who are pregnant or

breastfeeding, and people with kidney or liver disorders because its

effects in these groups has not been sufficiently studied.

Be careful not to confuse black elder with a more toxic species of the

plant called dwarf elder (Sambucus ebulus). Dwarf elder is generally not

recommended for medical purposes and may cause vomiting

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and diarrhea

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large dosages.

Side effects

Side effects are considered rare. Mild abdominal distress or allergic

reactions may occur.

Interactions

Elder is not known to interact adversely with other medications or

herbal remedies. Preparations that combine elder with yarrow flower and

peppermint leaf have been used without apparent harm.

Key Terms

Antispasmodic

An agent with the ability to prevent or relieve

convulsions or muscle spasms.

Diuretic

An agent that increases the production of urine.

Echinacea

A popular herbal remedy used to treat colds, the flu,

and urinary tract infections.

Edema

Abnormal swelling of tissue due to fluid buildup. Edema,

which typically occurs in the legs, liver, and lungs, is often a

complication of heart or kidney problems.

Further Reading

For Your Information

Books

* Fetrow, Charles W. and Avila, Juan R. Professional's Handbook of

Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Pennsylvania: Springhouse, 1998.

 

* Gruenwald, Joerg. PDR for Herbal Medicines. New Jersey: Medical

Economics, 1998.

* Sifton, David W. PDR Family Guide to Natural Medicines and

Healing Therapies. New Jersey: Medical Economics, 1999.

Periodicals

* Zakay-Rones Z., Varsano N., Zlotnik M., et al. " Inhibition of

several strains of influenza virus in vitro and reduction of symptoms by

an elderberry extract (Sambucus nigra L.) during an outbreak of

influenza B Panama. " J Altern Complement Med (1995) 1(4):361-9.

* Yesilada E., Ustun O., Sezik E., et al. " Inhibitory effects of

Turkish folk remedies on inflammatory cytokines: interleukin-1alpha,

interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha. " J Ethnopharmacol

(1997) 58(1):59- 73.

Organizations

* American Botanical Council. PO Box 144345, Austin, TX

78714-4345.

* Herb Research Foundation. 1007 Pearl Street, Suite 200, Boulder,

CO 80302.

Other

* Herb Research Foundation. http://www.herbs.org (January 17,

2001).

* OnHealth. http://www.onhealth.com (January 17, 2001).

* Discovery Health. http://www.discoveryhealth.com (January 17,

2001).

Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Gale Group, 2001.