Last update July 12, 2016

Sambucus nigra

Likely Compatibility

Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.

Bush. Bark, leaves, roots, flowers and fruits are used for medicinal purposes in traditional medicine (diuretic, laxative, anti-infective for cold relief ...) without any scientific evidence on effectiveness.
It contains flavonoids (quercetin, isoquercitin and rutin), phenolic acids, terpenes, minerals, tannins.

Quercetin is excreted in breast milk in a concentration which increases with diets that contain products like elderberry. In the elderberry as well as other plants are contained endocrine disruptors that could display pro or counter-estrogen activity.

Since it has no proven therapeutic benefit, it seems wise to avoid any consumption or doing it in very moderate way during lactation.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

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Other names

Sambucus nigra is Elder in Latin, botanical name.

Is written in other languages:

Sambucus nigra is also known as

Groups

Sambucus nigra belongs to these groups or families:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Sambucus nigra in its composition:

List of 7 tradenames

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Tmax quercetina: 12 hours
T½ quercetina: 50 hours

References

  1. Powers CN, Setzer WN. A molecular docking study of phytochemical estrogen mimics from dietary herbal supplements. In Silico Pharmacol. 2015 Mar 22;3:4. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  2. EMA. Sambucus Nigra, flos. Assessment report. 2014 Full text (in our servers)
  3. Romaszko E, Wiczkowski W, Romaszko J, Honke J, Piskula MK. Exposure of breastfed infants to quercetin after consumption of a single meal rich in quercetin by their mothers. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2014 Abstract
  4. Ulbricht C, Basch E, Cheung L, Goldberg H, Hammerness P, Isaac R, Khalsa KP, Romm A, Rychlik I, Varghese M, Weissner W, Windsor RC, Wortley J. An evidence-based systematic review of elderberry and elderflower (Sambucus nigra) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. J Diet Suppl. 2014 Abstract
  5. EMA. Sambucus nigra, fructus. Assessment report. 2014 Full text (in our servers)
  6. Song BJ, Jouni ZE, Ferruzzi MG. Assessment of phytochemical content in human milk during different stages of lactation. Nutrition. 2013 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  7. WHO. World Health Organization. Geneva. WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants. Volume 2. WHO monographs. 2002 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)

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