Evidence supporting the use of: European Elder
For the health condition: Antibiotics (alternatives to)

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

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

European Elder (Sambucus nigra) has a long history of traditional use in European herbal medicine, particularly for treating colds, flu, and other respiratory infections. The berries and flowers of the plant have been used for centuries in remedies such as teas, syrups, and tinctures, often as alternatives to conventional treatments before antibiotics were available. The traditional use centers on elder’s purported ability to reduce symptoms and duration of infections, likely due to its content of flavonoids and other phenolic compounds with possible antiviral and antibacterial properties.

Modern scientific research into European Elder’s antimicrobial effects is limited and not robust enough to support its use as a direct alternative to antibiotics. Some in vitro studies have demonstrated mild antibacterial activity against certain pathogens and suggested that elderberry extracts may inhibit the replication of some viruses, such as influenza. However, these findings are preliminary, mostly laboratory-based, and have not been substantiated by strong clinical trials in humans for bacterial infections.

Therefore, the use of European Elder as an "alternative to antibiotics" is justified mainly by traditional practice rather than by compelling scientific evidence. It may provide some symptomatic relief for viral infections, but should not be considered a replacement for antibiotics in cases of serious or confirmed bacterial infections.

More about European Elder
More about Antibiotics (alternatives to)

Other ingredients used for Antibiotics (alternatives to)

2'-Fucosyllactose
Ajoene
astragalus
bacillus clausii
bacillus subtilis
berberine
black cumin
black walnut
caprylic acid
caterpillar mushroom
clove
colostrum
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
curcumin
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
garlic bulb
ginger
goldenseal
gooseberry
green tea
horseradish
Indian tinospora
honeysuckle
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus paracasei
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactococcus lactis
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
lauric acid
Lentinula edodes mycelia
Mastic gum
Monolaurin
oregano
oregon grape
oyster mushroom
phenolic compounds
plantain
butyric acid
rhizome
sage
shiitake mushroom
thyme
vitamin C
Wasabi
Zinc
Yellow root
papaya
Neem tree
Clerodendrum indicum
pistacia integerrima gall
paederia foetida
pau d'arco
Myrrh
Morinda
oriental arborvitae
melaleuca alternifolia
Algae
geranium
red root
10-Hydroxy-2-Decanoic Acid
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
3-Phenyllactic Acid
alpha-terpineol
azelaic acid
Allicin
anamu
Alchornea
aucubin
andrographolide
Andrographis
Alstonia scholaris
Asteraceae
Allyl sulfide
Acemannan
Algal protein
Alliin
Alantolactone
bee propolis
Bacillus indicus
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
betulinic acid
Butea monosperma
Brazilian peppertree
bee hive
Basidiomycota
Bacillus licheniformis
Brevibacillus laterosporus
bee products
Bombax
Borassus aethiopum
bacteria
Blue-Green Alage
Bacillus
benzyl isothiocyanate
baicalin
coconut
capric acid
Calotropis gigantea
coconut oil
carvacrol
Chinese raisintree
cinnamic acid
citral
Centipeda
chalcone
Clostridium butyricum
cinnamaldehyde
copaiba oil
Dichrostachys glomerata
European Elder
Embelia
eugenol
flavonoids
Fomes fomentarius
fungus
gallic acid
glyceryl monolaurate
Guava
garlic
golden shower tree
honey
heal-all
Houttuynia
Helicteres isora
Herb Robert
isoquinoline alkaloids
Isatis
Indian coraltree
Indian fagonia
Kefir
Lactobacillus plantarum
Litsea
lichen
lysozyme
Lactobacillus johnsonii
Lantana camara
Leptospermum scoparium
Lactobacillus
L. lactis
Lysimachia
Lauric arginate
Mushroom
Naphthoquinones
Nisin
Nigella seed
Nasturtium
Nimbidin
Oroxylum indicum
Oleuropein
Osha
Oligosaccharides
Onosma bracteatum
Phycocyanin
Propolis
Premna
polysaccharides
pagoda tree
polylysine
Paenibacillus polymyxa
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
phlorotannins
Platycodon
Paris polyphylla
Pleurotus eryngii
Physalis angulata
Petiveria
Plectranthus amboinicus
red alder
Rhus coriaria
Spilanthes
Sicklepod
Sophora
Sesbania
Spanish Needle
Streptomyces
Streptomyces cellulosae
Self-Heal
Sweet Annie
Solanum indicum
Streptomyces fradiae
Sarcandra glabra
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Streptomyces griseoflavus
saponins
Simaruba
Sulfated polysaccharide
Terminalia
Thymoquinone
Tannins
Tamaricaceae
Thymol
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Tulbaghia
Trametes
Tagetes
Thiosulfinate
Tremella
Wrightia tinctoria
Xanthorrhizol

Products containing European Elder

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.