What is Elderberry used for?
Traditional/Ethnobotanical uses Elder flowers and berries have been used in traditional medicine and as flavorings for centuries. In folk medicine, the flowers have been used for their diuretic and laxative properties and as an astringent. Various parts of the elder have been used to treat cancer and a host of other unrelated disorders. Distilled elder flower water has been used as a scented vehicle for topical preparations and extracts are used to flavor foods, including alcoholic beverages. The fruits have been used to prepare elderberry wine. Immunostimulant Sambucus may strongly stimulate the immune system through inducing cytokine production in healthy individuals as well as in patients with influenza, or in other immunocompromised patients such as those with cancer or HIV. Sambucus formulations have been shown to have a strong stimulatory effect on the production of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Research reveals no clinical data at this time regarding the use of e
