Evidence supporting the use of: Elderberry
For the health condition: Congestion (bronchial)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, particularly in European and Native American herbal practices, to address symptoms of upper respiratory ailments, including bronchial congestion. Its use is mostly based on folk remedies, where elderberry preparations—such as syrups, teas, and extracts—were commonly given to help relieve coughs, colds, and congestion. The underlying belief was that elderberry possesses expectorant properties that help loosen and clear mucus from the airways.

Scientific studies investigating elderberry's effects focus primarily on its potential to reduce the duration and severity of cold and flu symptoms, with some evidence suggesting modest benefits. Certain laboratory studies have demonstrated that elderberry extracts may inhibit the replication of some respiratory viruses and modulate inflammation. However, direct clinical evidence supporting its effectiveness specifically for bronchial congestion is limited. Most clinical trials do not isolate bronchial congestion as an endpoint, instead assessing general respiratory symptoms.

Overall, elderberry's reputation for treating bronchial congestion is grounded in traditional use rather than robust scientific validation. While its historical use and some preliminary research support its role in general respiratory health, there is insufficient high-quality evidence to conclusively recommend elderberry specifically for bronchial congestion. Individuals interested in elderberry should consult a healthcare provider, especially those with underlying health conditions or taking medications.

More about elderberry
More about Congestion (bronchial)

Other ingredients used for Congestion (bronchial)

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alpha-pinene
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basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
bасора
caffeine
capsaicinoids
chamomile
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
clove
Coptis chinensis
cowage seed
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
ethanol
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
onion
green tea
horseradish
Indian tinospora
licorice root
lovage
mustard seed
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
spruce
ophiopogon root
oregano
perilla
phellodendron amurense
platycodon root
pomegranate
quercetin
rosemary
scrophularia root
shiitake mushroom
spearmint leaf
Sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vitamin C
Yellow root
squawvine
boneset
Mullein
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
capsicum
Mugwort
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
inula racemosa
anise
blackboard tree
Szechuan lovage
buckthorn
fritillaria
lemongrass
Yerba santa
elecampane
coltsfoot
chrysanthemum
juniper berries
siler root
sweet flag
oriental arborvitae
Trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
eucalyptus
Menthol oil
aster root
Abies spectabilis
horehound
Sichuan pepper
cayenne pepper
soursop
Alcohol
Agastache
Anamarrhena
alpha-terpineol
Ardisia
Angelica
Allicin
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
asafoetida
andrographolide
Adrenergic amines
Asteraceae
Allyl sulfide
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arisaema
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
atractylone
black seed
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Black spruce
bicarbonate
Blepharis
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bishop\'s weed
Boswellic Acid
bayleaf
black galingale
Barleria
bitter grass
bisabolene
bael
berry
Boswellia
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
bee products
Bombax
Buddha\'s hand
borage
Bupleurum
balloon flower
Belamcanda
borneol
Camellia sinensis
Chinese silkvine
curry leaf
Chinese mountain ant
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Citrus
cineole
cajuput
Chinese raisintree
cowherb
curcumen
Cistus
Curcuma
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cinnamaldehyde
Carthamus
culvers Root
Chondrus
dragonhead
diterpenes
Ephedra
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Eclipta
Echinacea
Elder
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ephedrine
fang-feng
fat liver oil
fernbush
frankincense
Gnaphalium
gamma-terpinene
Guaco
Gallesia
giant blazingstar
Gardenia jasminoides
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Galangal
Heartsease
honey
heal-all
Hedyotis
Houttuynia
Helicteres isora
Horsemint
iridoids
Isatis
long pepper
Ivy
jungli-bean
Khella
Ledebouriella
Litsea
Lomatium
lichen
Laggera pterodonta
limonene
labrador tea
Ligusticum
linalool
Lewis's monkey flower
Mountain Pepper
Mustard
Marsh Tea
mallow
Monoterpenes
Methylxanthine
Meadow sage
Mucolase
Neoandrographolides
Nigella seed
Nutmeg
Ophiopogon
Oroxylum indicum
Osha
Orris
Phellodendron
Pinellia ternata
Pluchea
prepared aconite tuber
Platycodon
Pepper
Paris polyphylla
Peucedanum
Pyrrosia
Piper retrofractum
Piper nigrum
Polygonum
Rubiaceae
ravinsara
reed herb
Sichuan Lovage
Sophora
Scoparia dulcis
Smartweed
Sesquiterpenes
Sweet Annie
Solanum indicum
Sambucus nigra
Sagebrush
Sinigrin
Sandalwood
Stereospermum
Sulfated polysaccharide
Sweet Bay
Sundew
Servicetree
Thymus
Tamaricaceae
Terpinolene
Vervain
Visnea Mocanera
Vasicine
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Viola
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Vasicinone
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Zedoary
Zingerone