Evidence supporting the use of: Southern Elder
For the health condition: Cough (dry)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Southern Elder (Sambucus nigra), commonly referred to as elderflower or elderberry, has a long history of traditional use in European herbal medicine for treating coughs, particularly dry coughs. The flowers are most often used to prepare infusions or syrups that are believed to soothe the throat and alleviate irritation. Historically, elderflower was included in various herbal remedies for upper respiratory tract infections and coughs due to its purported anti-inflammatory and diaphoretic (sweat-inducing) effects.
While some laboratory and animal studies have explored the immunomodulatory and antiviral properties of elderberry extracts, specific scientific studies focusing on Southern Elder's efficacy in treating dry cough in humans are lacking. Clinical trials have tended to focus on elderberry’s potential to reduce the duration and severity of influenza-like symptoms rather than specifically treating cough. Thus, the use of Southern Elder for dry cough is rooted primarily in traditional, ethnobotanical knowledge rather than robust scientific validation. The rating of 2 reflects that although the traditional use is well-documented and widespread, direct scientific evidence for effectiveness against dry cough is currently limited or indirect.
Other ingredients used for Cough (dry)
aloe veraalpha-pinene
apple
waterhyssop
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black currant
black pepper
radish
Indian frankincense
cat's claw
Chinese salvia root
cinnamon
clove
cowage seed
turmeric
elderberry
garlic bulb
ginger
glehnia root
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
heartwood
Indian tinospora
jujube
lemon
licorice root
marshmallow
nettle
ophiopogon root
oregano
parsley
pear
phellodendron amurense
platycodon root
plum fruit
polygala root
pomegranate
thyme
vitamin C
zhejiang fritillary
zinc
sarsaparilla
boneset
mullein
tangerine
hyssop
atractylodes
Indian bael
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
pistacia integerrima gall
fumaria parviflora
fritillaria
yerba santa
elecampane
dodder
sweet flag
menthol oil
Alcohol
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Ambergris
acacia
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Asafoetida
Aerva lanata
Asam gelugor
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Asarum sieboldii
Atractylone
Black Seed
Bermuda Grass
Bryonia
Bayleaf
Bael
Butternut
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Bee products
Buddha's Hand
banana
Bassia scoparia
Burning Bush
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Bergenia
Cactus
Citron
Citrus
Cineole
Capsaicin
Cistus
Cubeb
Cowslip
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Calamus
Cinnamaldehyde
Clerodendrum indicum
Dragonhead
Diterpenes
Dichrostachys glomerata
Echinacea
Elder
Ephedrine
Poppy