Evidence supporting the use of: William's Elder
For the health condition: Headache (general)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
William's Elder, commonly referring to Sambucus nigra or elderberry, has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, including in European and Native American traditions. It has been used to address a variety of ailments, among them headaches of a general nature. The rationale for its use in headache management is largely rooted in its purported anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic (sweat-inducing), and mild analgesic properties. Preparations such as elderflower teas and elderberry tinctures were traditionally employed to alleviate symptoms associated with colds, fevers, and accompanying headaches.
However, there is minimal direct scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of elderberry or elderflower specifically for headache relief. Most modern research has focused on elderberry's antiviral properties, particularly in relation to influenza and upper respiratory tract infections. There are no high-quality clinical trials evaluating elder as a headache remedy. The support for its use in headaches therefore relies primarily on historical and ethnobotanical sources rather than robust scientific validation, justifying a moderate-low evidence rating.
In summary, while William's Elder has a notable traditional use profile for relieving headaches, its application is not substantiated by contemporary clinical research. Individuals interested in using elder for headaches should be aware of the lack of scientific backing and consult healthcare providers for evidence-based treatments.
Other ingredients used for Headache (general)
alpha-pinenegreen chiretta
apple
ashwagandha
waterhyssop
bamboo
basil
betel
black cumin
black tea
Indian frankincense
burdock
cannabis sativa oil
chamomile
cucumber
turmeric
fennel
feverfew
ginger
ginseng
gooseberry
gotu kola
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
guayusa
jujube
kudzu
lavender
lemon
licorice root
lovage
magnesium
mint
moringa
mustard seed
peppermint oil
phellodendron amurense
purple butterbur root
quail egg
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
rose oil
sage
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
spearmint leaf
triphala
watermelon
white willow
zhejiang fritillary
cardamom
capsicum
Indian bael
alpinia galangal
clerodendrum indicum
ferula assafoetida
hedychium spicatum
anise
punarnava
commiphora
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
fumaria parviflora
rubia cordifolia
peony
lingusticum wallichii
morus
myrrh
root tuber
silk tree
chrysanthemum
amber
flowering quince
fern
ganoderma
sweetgums
morinda
birch
wintergreen
camphor oil
menthol oil
aster root
yerba mate
wood betony
paw paw
indigo leaves
cayenne pepper
soursop
geranium
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
Avens
Apple Cider Vinegar
Agastache
Alpha-terpineol
Ambergris
Ardisia
Angelica
Agrimony
Achyranthes
Abrus
Asarum heterotropoides
Albizia
Aconite
Asafoetida
Ajuga
Aerva lanata
Agarwood
American Liverleaf
Anemone
Asam gelugor
Alsonia scholaris
Agrimonia pilosa
Acetylsalicylic acid
Amor seco
Arani
Arisaema
Atractylone
Betony
Black Seed
Blue Flag
Bryonia
Blackthorn
Broussonetia
Blepharis
Balsam
Bayleaf
Butea monosperma
Barleria
Bitter Grass
Bael
Boswellia
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Banyan
Black willow
black salt
Black Nightshade
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Buddha's Hand
Borassus aethiopum
Black root
Bassia scoparia
Black Hellebore
Balloon Flower
Bergenia
Bottle gourd
Borneol
Camellia sinensis
Chinese Silkvine
Cinnamomum
Clary sage
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Coriander
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Cactus
Cinquefoil
Citron
Carry Me Seed
Cymbopogon Martini
Coca
Campylandra fimbriata
Centipeda
Corktree
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Cannabidiol
Calamus
Chinatree
Corydalis
Cynodon dactylon
Costus
Carthamus
Colocynth
cola nut
Celosia
Clerodendrum indicum
DIVI-DIVI
Dragonhead
Dichrostachys glomerata
European Elder
Erythropalum scandens
Erodium cicutarium
Evodia
English Horsemint
Elephant's Head
Embelia
Eugenol
Flueggea suffruticosa
Fang-Feng
Ficus religiosa
Fernbush
Ficus simplicissima
Goldthread
Gelsemium
Gnaphalium
Guava
Giant Blazingstar
Glechoma hederacea
Guaranine
Garden Cress
Gardenia jasminoides
Galangal
Golden Willow
Heartsease
Lotus
Little ironweed
Mustard
Mallow
Orchid
Potato
Prickly Pear Cactus
Poppy
Rose
Spikenard
Snakeroot (unspecified)
Sandalwood
Sumac
Sweet Orange alcohol
Vervain
Vinegar
Zucchini