Evidence supporting the use of: European Elder
For the health condition: Colds (prevention)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

European Elder (Sambucus nigra) has a long history of traditional use in Europe for treating respiratory ailments, including colds. In recent years, scientific studies have investigated its potential for cold prevention and treatment. The evidence supporting its use is moderate (rated 3 out of 5). Several randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials have found that elderberry extract may reduce the duration and severity of cold symptoms in adults and children. For example, a 2016 meta-analysis (Complement Ther Med. 2016;25:163-174) concluded that elderberry supplementation significantly reduced upper respiratory symptoms. Proposed mechanisms include elderberry's high content of flavonoids, particularly anthocyanins, which may have antiviral effects and modulate the immune response.

However, most available studies are small, often funded by supplement manufacturers, and focus on symptom reduction rather than true prevention. There is a lack of large, independent, well-designed clinical trials specifically assessing elderberry for cold prevention. While laboratory research has shown elderberry extracts can inhibit common cold viruses in vitro, in vivo data are still limited.

In summary, European Elder is supported by both tradition and a growing body of scientific evidence for its role in reducing cold symptoms, though its effectiveness for outright prevention remains less certain. Its use appears to be generally safe for short-term use, but more robust clinical trials are needed to fully establish its preventive benefits.

More about European Elder
More about Colds (prevention)

Other ingredients used for Colds (prevention)

Allspice
Aloe vera
green chiretta
anthocyanins
arabinogalactan
astragalus
Waterhyssop
bamboo
basil
berry flavor
beta-pinene
beta-glucan
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
black tea
blackberry
bасора
camu camu
capsaicinoids
caterpillar mushroom
chamomile
chlorella
cinnamon
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus oil
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
coconut milk
colostrum
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
Greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
Indian tinospora
honeysuckle
Lactobacillus brevis
lemon
licorice root
lovage
Marshmallow
Moringa
mustard seed
Nettle
spruce
orange
oregano
oregon grape
pear
phenolic compounds
pineapple
plantain
pollen
pomegranate
pumpkin
quercetin
reishi mushroom
rhizome
rose hips
rosemary
sage
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
Sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vegetable blend (proprietary)
vitamin C
vitamin D
seaweed
Yeast
Zinc
sarsaparilla
squawvine
xanthium (cockleburs)
papaya
Mugwort
nut grass
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
pistacia integerrima gall
blackboard tree
peony
buckthorn
lemongrass
Yerba santa
chrysanthemum
siler root
flowering quince
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
eucalyptus
Menthol oil
aster root
goji berry
paw paw
Algae
indigo leaves
cayenne pepper
Aralia
avens
apple cider vinegar
Agastache
Ardisia
Acacia
Allicin
Abrus
Amomum
Asarum heterotropoides
Ajuga
andrographolide
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Andrographis
Asteraceae
Allyl sulfide
Allyl isothiocyanate
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arani
atractylone
black seed
bermuda grass
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
blackthorn
Blepharis
balsam
bishop\'s weed
bayleaf
black galingale
bitter grass
bael
berry
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bioflavonoids
black salt
bee products
black nightshade
Bassia scoparia
borneol
Camellia sinensis
coconut
Chinese silkvine
curry leaf
Cinnamomum
coriander
capillary artemisia
citron
Curcuminoid
Citrus
capsaicin
Chinese raisintree
Chlorophytum
cowherb
Cistus
cinnamaldehyde
costus
Celosia
currant
Dianthus
dragonhead
dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/tetraenoic acid isobutylamide
European Elder
Echinacea
Elder
essential oil blend
European five-finger grass
fruit
flavonoids
fungus
flavoglycosides
goldthread
Gnaphalium
gamma-terpinene
garlic
Gallesia
Glechoma hederacea
galactooligosaccharides
honey
heal-all
Hedyotis
honey loquat syrup
Herb Robert
Horsemint
iridoids
Isatis
Ilex
Kokilaksha
lime
Lebbek
Litsea
Lomatium
Laggera pterodonta
luffa
Ligustrum
lodhtree
labrador tea
Ligusticum
mandarin
Mountain Pepper
Mustard
Melia
Monoterpenes
mace
Meadow sage
marigold
Mushroom
Nardostachys
Natsudaidai
Ophiopogon
Oroxylum indicum
Onosma bracteatum
Oxystelma
Phenylpropanoids
Prunus
Pepper
Paris polyphylla
Pelargonium
Pyrrosia
Piper retrofractum
Piper nigrum
Physalis angulata
Petiveria
Rubiaceae
Rooibos
Sichuan Lovage
Sicklepod
Sesbania
Sete sangrias
Smartweed
Solanaceae
Sesquiterpenes
Sweet Annie
Salvia
Southern Tsangshu
Solanum indicum
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Sambucus nigra
Sagebrush
Shogaol
Sandalwood
Scabrous Gentian
saponins
Sumac
Terpenoids
Tea
Thymus
Tamaricaceae
Tayuya
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Tulbaghia
Thiosulfinate
Tremella
Umckaloabo
Vervain
Viola
White Tea
Water Pepper
Wulinshen
Winter Savory
Yerba buena
Zingiberene
Zingerone

Products containing European Elder

We currently have no products on Caring Sunshine that contain this ingredient.