Evidence supporting the use of: Japanese Elder
For the health condition: Sore Throat

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Synopsis

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

Japanese Elder (Sambucus japonica) has traditionally been used in East Asian herbal medicine, including Japanese Kampo and Traditional Chinese Medicine, to alleviate symptoms of respiratory illnesses such as sore throat, cough, and fever. The use of elder species for throat complaints is primarily based on long-standing folk practices rather than robust scientific trials. Elder flowers and berries contain flavonoids and other phytochemicals believed to possess anti-inflammatory and mild antiviral properties, which may contribute to symptomatic relief. However, most of the scientific studies on elder for respiratory ailments focus on European elder (Sambucus nigra), not Japanese elder specifically. Limited laboratory studies suggest potential antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, but these findings have not been consistently demonstrated in human clinical trials for sore throat, nor have they specifically examined Japanese elder. Thus, while the traditional use persists, scientific validation for Japanese elder's efficacy in treating sore throat is minimal. The evidence rating reflects that while there is a historical basis and some supporting phytochemical rationale, there is a lack of direct, high-quality clinical evidence for this specific application.

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