Evidence supporting the use of: European Elder
For the health condition: Abscesses
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
European Elder (Sambucus nigra) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in Europe. Its flowers and berries have been employed for a variety of ailments, including respiratory infections, fevers, and skin issues. In the context of abscesses, elder leaves, bark, and sometimes flowers were traditionally applied topically as poultices or ointments to help "draw out" infection and reduce inflammation. The rationale for this use is based on the plant’s reputed anti-inflammatory and mild antiseptic properties as described in old herbal texts, such as those by Culpeper and Gerard.
However, there is little to no high-quality scientific evidence specifically validating the efficacy of European Elder for the treatment or support of abscesses. Modern research has focused more on the antiviral and immune-modulating properties of elderberry extracts, mainly for upper respiratory tract infections. There are some in vitro and animal studies suggesting the plant’s extracts have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, but these have not been specifically tested in the context of abscesses in clinical trials.
In summary, the use of European Elder for abscesses is justified primarily by traditional use, with minimal scientific investigation supporting this application. Its historical use persists in some herbal practices, but it should not be considered a substitute for evidence-based medical treatment of abscesses.
Other ingredients used for Abscesses
AbrusAbuta
Acacia
Achyranthes
Activated charcoal
Agave
Alchornea
Alkanet
Alkanna
Allicin
Aloe vera
Alstonia scholaris
amber
American Liverleaf
Amor seco
Ampelopsis
anamu
Andrographis
Antirrhinum majus
Aquilegia formosa
Aquilegia viridiflora
Ardisia
Arisaema
arnica
Asclepias cordifolia
ash
assam indigo
Asteraceae
aucubin
bai ji
balsam
banyan
Baphicacanthus cusia
Barleria
Bassia scoparia
bayberry
bee products
bee propolis
bentonite
berberine
bergamot
Bidens pilosa
bindweed
black nightshade
black root
black walnut
black-eyed Susan
blackboard tree
Bletilla
bloodroot
Boerhavia diffusa
Bombax
borassus palm
boxthorne
boxwood
Brazilian peppertree
bromelain
bur-reed
burdock
Butea monosperma
Calendula
California pitcher plant
Calotropis gigantea
capillary artemisia
carrapichinho
Casearia sylvestris
castor oil
catlaw buttercup
Ceanothus integerrimus
Cedrus libani
celandine
Centipeda
chamomile
Chinese raisintree
Chiococca alba
chrysophanics
cinquefoil
Clerodendrum indicum
Clerodendrum indicum
cocklebur
coconut
colloidal silver
copaiba oil
cowage seed
cowherb
croton seeds
curcumin
Cymbidium goeringii
Cynanchum
Cynodon dactylon
Cynoglossum grande
Davilla rugosa
Didymocarpus
divi-divi
dragon\'s blood
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
elephant vine
elephant\'s head
Erigeron
Erodium cicutarium
eucalyptus
Euphorbia
Eupolyphaga sinensis
European Elder
European five-finger grass
Ficus simplicissima
figwort
Flueggea suffruticosa
Fomes fomentarius
gallotannin
garlic
garlic bulb
genipap
geranium
giant blazingstar
ginger
Gnaphalium
golden shower tree
goldenseal
green tea
Guazuma ulmifolia
Gugambilla
Gumweed
heal-all
Hedyotis
Helicteres isora
Hellebore
henna
Herb Robert
honey
hound\'s tongue
Houttuynia
Huang hua
Hyaluronidase
Immortelle
Indian fagonia
indigo leaves
Isatis
Jessica\'s sticktight
Kachnar
Kalanchoe pinnatum
Kamala
Kigelia africana
Kokilaksha
lac resin
lacquertree
Laggera pterodonta
Lantana camara
lavender
Lebbek
Lesser speargrass
Levant cotton
Lewis's monkey flower
licorice root
little ironweed
lodhtree
Lophira lanceolata
luffa
Macaranga indica
magnesium
Mahonia
mallow
Malva sylvestris
marigold
Marking Nut Tree
Matapalo Tree
Matico
melaleuca alternifolia
Microcos
Milkweed
Morning glory
Myrrh
Naphthoquinones
Nasturtium
Nimbidin
nut grass
Oak
Oldenlandia diffusa
oregano
Oxystelma
paederia foetida
papaya
Paris polyphylla
Patrinia
pau d'arco
paw paw
Pellitory
Pentatropis capensis
Petiveria
Peucedanum
Physalis angulata
Pink Root
Plantago
plantain
Plectranthus amboinicus
Pluchea
Plumbago zeylanica
Pokeweed
privet
Propolis
protein
punarnava
purple Tephrosia
red alder
red root
red spiderling
resin
Rhus glabra
Rubia yunnanensis
Sandy Everlasting
Sangre de Grado
Sanguisorba
Sanicle
Sarcandra glabra
Sargentodoxa
scrophularia root
Self-Heal
Serrapeptase
Sesbania
sheep's sorrel
shen-chu
Shikonin
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Sicklepod
siler root
Simaruba
Skunkvine
Smartweed
Smoketree
Smooth Alder
Solanum indicum
Spanish Needle
Speedwell
Spilanthes
Stellaria dichotoma
Stereospermum
Stillingia
Tagetes
Tannins
Tayuya
Tea Tree Oil
Thuja
Thymol
Thymoquinone
Thymus
Tree of heaven
Trichosanthes
Trypsin
Tulbaghia
turmeric
Viola
Violet
vitamin C
Waltheria ovata
White oak
Whiteweed
Witch Hazel
xanthium (cockleburs)
Yerba Mansa
Zingiberene
Other health conditions supported by European Elder
AbscessesAllergies (respiratory)
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Arthritis
Asthma
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (external)
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Canker Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Cuts
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Eczema
Fever
Glands (swollen lymph)
Gout
Headache (general)
Infection
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Influenza
Insomnia
Itching
Laryngitis
Pain (general remedies for)
Psoriasis
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic
Rosacea
