Elder flower (Sambucus nigra) has a long history of use in traditional European herbal medicine, particularly for conditions involving the upper respiratory tract like rhinitis, colds, and sinusitis. Folk medicine texts and herbalists have recommended elder flower infusions or teas for their purported anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic (sweat-inducing), and mild antiviral properties, which were believed to help reduce symptoms of nasal congestion and mucous membrane irritation associated with rhinitis.

Despite its traditional use, current scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of elder flower specifically for rhinitis (allergic or non-allergic) is limited. While some laboratory studies suggest that extracts of elder flower may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects, clinical trials directly evaluating elder flower for rhinitis are lacking. Most modern research on elder focuses on the berries and their potential use in influenza, not the flowers or their effect on rhinitis.

Authoritative reviews, such as those by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), acknowledge the traditional use of elder flower for relief of cold symptoms, including runny nose, but also note the lack of robust clinical data. Thus, elder flower is still primarily used for rhinitis based on tradition and anecdotal experience, rather than high-quality scientific validation.