elderberries

Reported Uses

• NOTE: see Herb & Supplement Effectiveness Rating Definitions table
• allergic rhinitis [Insufficient Evidence]
• asthenopia (eye strain) [Insufficient Evidence]
• cardiovascular disease [Insufficient Evidence]
• chronic fatigue syndrome [Insufficient Evidence]
• cognitive function [Insufficient Evidence]
• common cold [Insufficient Evidence]
• constipation [Insufficient Evidence]
• COPD [Insufficient Evidence]
• gingivitis [Insufficient Evidence]
• HIV/AIDS [Insufficient Evidence]
• hyperlipidemia [Insufficient Evidence]
• influenza [Possibly Effective]
• obesity [Insufficient Evidence]
• psychological well-being [Insufficient Evidence]
• respiratory infections [Insufficient Evidence]
• rhinosinusitis [Insufficient Evidence]

Reported Doses

Safety/efficacy may not be established; reported doses may be derived from limited or potentially inadequate studies with variable regimens, multi-ingredient products, or where concentration of active ingredients may vary widely

Effectiveness Ratings

[see Herb & Supplement Effectiveness Rating Definitions table]

asthenopia (eye strain)

[Insufficient Evidence]

Dose: 300 mg elderberry extract PO qd

cognitive function

[Insufficient Evidence]

Dose: 50 mg PO x1-3 doses given after lunch; Info: beverage containing carob, green tea, guarana

common cold

[Insufficient Evidence]

Dose: 600 mg elderberry extract PO qd x8 days starting 10 days before air travel, then incr. to 900 mg PO qd x1 day before air travel, then continue 900 mg PO qd x4-5 days

constipation

[Insufficient Evidence]

Dose: 70 mg elderberry extract PO qd; Info: used with probiotics

COPD

[Insufficient Evidence]

Dose: 495 mg PO qd; Info: used with heart's ease herb and calendula flowers

gingivitis

[Insufficient Evidence]

Dose: apply periodontal patch topically qd-tid x1 day, then qd x2 days; Info: product containing elderberry, echinacea, and gotu kola

influenza

[Possibly Effective]

Dose: 5.7 g per 15 mL elderberry syrup PO qid x3-5 days; Alt: 175 mg lozenge PO qid x2 days; Info: start within 24-48h of symptom onset

psychological well-being

[Insufficient Evidence]

Dose: 70 mg elderberry extract PO qd; Info: used with probiotics