Sambuci flos - herbal medicinal product
Elder Flower
Herbal productHumanHerbal
Overview
This is a summary of the scientific conclusions reached by the Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC) on the medicinal uses of elder flower. The HMPC conclusions are taken into account by EU Member States when evaluating applications for the licensing of herbal medicines containing elder flower.
This summary is not intended to provide practical advice on how to use medicines containing elder flower. For practical information about using elder flower medicines, patients should read the package leaflet that comes with the medicine or contact their doctor or pharmacist.
Elder flower is the common name for the flowers of the plant Sambucus nigra L.
The HMPC conclusions only cover elder flower preparations that are obtained by drying and comminuting (reducing into tiny pieces) the flowers or by putting the plant material in a solvent (such as ethanol) to dissolve compounds and form a liquid extract.
Herbal medicines containing these elder flower preparations are usually available as herbal tea to be drunk and in liquid forms to be taken by mouth.
Elder flower preparations may also be found in combination with other herbal substances in some herbal medicines. These combinations are not covered in this summary.
The HMPC concluded that, on the basis of their long-standing use, these elder flower preparations can be used for the relief of early symptoms of common cold.
Elder flower medicines should only be used in adults and adolescents over the age of 12 years. If symptoms worsen or last longer than 1 week whilst taking the medicine, a doctor or a qualified healthcare practitioner should be consulted. Detailed instructions on how to take elder flower medicines and who can use them can be found in the package leaflet that comes with the medicine.
The HMPC conclusions on the use of these elder flower medicines for relief of early symptoms of common cold are based on their 'traditional use'. This means that, although there is insufficient evidence from clinical trials, the effectiveness of these herbal medicines is plausible and there is evidence that they have been used safely in this way for at least 30 years (including at least 15 years within the EU). Moreover, the intended use does not require medical supervision.
The HMPC noted the lack of clinical studies with elder flower.
For detailed information, see the HMPC assessment report.
At the time of the HMPC assessment, no side effects had been reported with these medicines.
Any applications for the licensing of medicines containing elder flower have to be submitted to the national authorities responsible for medicinal products, which will assess the application for the herbal medicine and take into account the scientific conclusions of the HMPC.
Information on the use and licensing of elder flower medicines in EU Member States should be obtained from the relevant national authorities.
For more information about treatment with elder flower medicines, read the package leaflet that comes with the medicine or contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Key facts
- Latin name
- Sambuci flos
- English common name
- Elder Flower
- Botanical name
Sambucus nigra L.
- Therapeutic area
- Cough and cold
- Status
- C: ongoing call for scientific data
- Date added to the inventory
- Date added to priority list
- Outcome of European assessment
- European Union herbal monograph