Evidence supporting the use of: European Elder
For the health condition: Congestion (sinus)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
European Elder (Sambucus nigra), commonly referred to as elderberry, has a long history of traditional use in treating respiratory ailments, including sinus congestion. Historically, elder flowers and berries have been utilized in European folk medicine for their purported diaphoretic (sweat-inducing), anti-inflammatory, and expectorant properties. The flowers, in particular, have been included in herbal teas and preparations aimed at relieving symptoms of colds, sinusitis, and other upper respiratory tract conditions.
However, scientific validation for the efficacy of elderberry or elderflower specifically for treating sinus congestion is limited. Most modern research has focused on its potential to reduce the duration and severity of influenza-like symptoms, with some evidence suggesting elderberry extract may have modest antiviral and immunomodulatory effects. There is a lack of robust clinical trials directly assessing its effects on sinus congestion or sinusitis. The evidence that does exist is largely anecdotal or based on traditional knowledge rather than controlled scientific studies.
In summary, the use of European Elder for sinus congestion is primarily justified by traditional use, with a moderate to low level of scientific evidence (rated 2/5) supporting its efficacy for this specific condition.
Other ingredients used for Congestion (sinus)
AconiteAdrenergic amines
Agastache
Alantolactone
Allicin
Allium tuberosum
Allspice
Allyl isothiocyanate
Aloe vera
alpha-pinene
alpha-terpineol
alpinia galangal
Amor seco
andrographolide
anise
Arisaema
asafoetida
Asarum heterotropoides
Asarum sieboldii
Asteraceae
atractylodes
atractylone
balloon flower
balsam
Baphicacanthus cusia
basil
bayleaf
bee hive
bee products
Belamcanda
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
betel
bicarbonate
bioflavonoids
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black currant
black pepper
black salt
black seed
blackboard tree
boneset
borage
borneol
Bougainvillea
Buddha\'s hand
bupleurum falcatum
bасора
cajuput
calamus
Camellia sinensis
capsaicinoids
cardamom
Carthamus
carvone
cayenne pepper
chamomile
chen pi
Chinese raisintree
Chondrus
chrysanthemum
cineole
cinnamaldehyde
Cistus
Citrus
Clerodendrum trichotomum
clove
coltsfoot
Coptis chinensis
coriander
dragonhead
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
Elder
elderberry
English horsemint
Ephedra
ephedrine
eucalyptus
eugenol
European Elder
fang-feng
fennel
ferula assafoetida
forsythia
frankincense
Galangal
Gallesia
gamma-terpinene
Gardenia jasminoides
garlic bulb
ginger
Gnaphalium
green tea
Hedyotis
honey
horehound
Horsemint
horseradish
Houttuynia
hyssop
Indian frankincense
inula racemosa
Isatis
Ivy
juniper berries
labrador tea
Laggera pterodonta
Ledebouriella
lemongrass
licorice root
Ligusticum
Ligustrazin
limonene
Litsea
Lomatium
long pepper
lovage
malabar nut
Marjoram
Marsh Tea
Meadow sage
Menthol oil
Mint
Monoterpenes
Mucolase
Mugwort
Mustard
mustard seed
Nardostachys
Nigella seed
Nutmeg
onion
oregano
oriental arborvitae
Orris
Osha
Osmanthus
Paris polyphylla
Pepper
Peppermint
perilla
Phellodendron
Piper nigrum
Piper retrofractum
pomegranate
Pyrrosia
quercetin
ravinsara
Rhus coriaria
rosemary
Sabadilla
sage
Sagebrush
Sambucus nigra
Sandalwood
Sassafras
Scabrous Gentian
sea salt
Sesquiterpenes
shiitake mushroom
Sichuan Lovage
Sichuan pepper
Smartweed
Solanum indicum
Sophora
spearmint leaf
Sphaeranthus indicus
spruce
Sundew
sweet flag
thyme
Thymus
Trichosanthes
turmeric
Vasicine
Vasicinone
Vervain
Viola
vitamin C
Wasabi
Winter Savory
Wulinshen
Yerba buena
Yerba santa
Yuzu
zanthoxylum
Zedoary
Zingerone
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
