Evidence supporting the use of: Southern Elder
For the health condition: Congestion (lungs)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Southern Elder (Sambucus australis), closely related to the more widely studied Sambucus nigra (European elder), has a longstanding history of use in traditional medicine, particularly among Indigenous and rural communities in South America. Elder flowers and berries have traditionally been used as remedies for respiratory ailments, including lung congestion, coughs, and colds. The primary traditional application involves preparing infusions or syrups from the flowers, which are believed to act as mild expectorants and diaphoretics, helping to loosen mucus and promote sweating during febrile illnesses.
However, direct scientific studies specifically examining Southern Elder's efficacy for lung congestion are lacking. Most available scientific literature focuses on Sambucus nigra, which has demonstrated some anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties in vitro and in small clinical studies, particularly for influenza and cold symptoms. The phytochemical profile of Southern Elder is assumed to be similar but has not been thoroughly analyzed. Therefore, the use of Southern Elder for lung congestion is justified primarily by traditional practice rather than robust scientific validation. No high-quality clinical trials exist for its use in treating lung congestion, and the evidence remains anecdotal or based on historical ethnobotanical records.
In summary, while Southern Elder is traditionally used to support lung congestion, the scientific evidence supporting this use is weak, and its efficacy remains unproven beyond historical and cultural accounts.
Other ingredients used for Congestion (lungs)
allspicealoe vera
alpha-pinene
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
bасора
capsaicinoids
chamomile
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
clove
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
onion
green tea
horseradish
Indian tinospora
licorice root
lovage
mustard seed
spruce
ophiopogon root
oregano
perilla
phellodendron amurense
phenolic acids
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
lingusticum wallichii
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
Agastache
Ambergris
Ardisia
Angelica
Allicin
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Asafoetida
Andrographolide
allyl isothiocyanate
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arisaema
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Atractylone
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Blepharis
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Boswellic Acid
Bayleaf
Barleria
Bitter Grass
Bisabolene
Bee hive
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
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Citrus
Cineole
Cajuput
Chinese Raisintree
Cowherb
Curcumen
Cistus
Calamus
Cinnamaldehyde
Carthamus
Culvers Root
Chondrus
Dragonhead
Diterpenes
Ephedra
European Elder
Eclipta
Echinacea
Elder
Essential Oil Blend
Ephedrine
European-Five Finger Grass
Galangal
Ivy
Mustard
Mallow
Sandalwood
Vervain