Evidence supporting the use of: Elderberry
For the health condition: Cough (damp)

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Synopsis

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

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, especially in Europe and North America, for treating respiratory conditions such as coughs and colds. In traditional frameworks, elderberry is thought to help "expel dampness" and relieve symptoms associated with phlegm and congestion, which would be described as "damp cough" in some systems of traditional medicine, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western herbalism. The berries and flowers are typically prepared as syrups, teas, or tinctures, and are believed to act as expectorants and to support immune health. While there is some modern research on elderberry's antiviral and immune-supporting properties, most clinical studies focus on its effects against influenza and the common cold, rather than specifically on cough or "damp" cough as defined in TCM. The evidence for its use in reducing cough severity is mostly anecdotal or extrapolated from studies on upper respiratory tract infections. Traditional use remains the primary justification for elderberry in this context, with only limited and indirect scientific support. For this reason, elderberry’s use for cough, particularly of the “damp” variety, is best categorized as traditional, with a moderate level of supportive traditional evidence but limited direct clinical validation.

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