Homeopathy & Sambucus nigra
the elder
Elder from the Anglo-Saxon aeld - for fire - the hollowed-out stems were used as bellows and pipes. However, elder was known to be unlucky to burn as it was thought to conjure the devil, and bring about destruction and death - an Irish myth of Fionn and his men welcomed into a house where an alder (sic) log was thrown on the fire were later attacked by ghosts. The Scots linked elder with fairies.1
It is thought that Judas Iscariot was hanged in an elder tree, and upon its wood Jesus was crucified.2
In Norse myth Hylde Moer protected and blessed those who cared for the elder tree - her permission had to be sought before harvesting the tree, berries or flowers else she might seek revenge.3
A ninth-century Irish text states: ‘three signs of a cursed place: elder, corncrake, nettle’. The elder glyph represents the letter 'R' in the Irish ogham alphabet.4
Hippocrates - the father of Western medicine - and Pliny the Elder credited the medicinal properties of the elder,5 elderberries in folk medicine were used as diaphoretic, diuretic, and laxative6 and in the specific treatment of colds, flu, sore throat, stomachache, sinusitis, and rheumatic complaints.7
A 2014 systematic review supports some traditional uses of elder.8
The European elderberry has been studied (in vitro & in vivo) for its range of uses as:
antioxidant
antimicrobial
anti-inflammatory
anticancer
antidiabetic
immunomodulatory
neuroprotective
cardioprotective
These properties are attributed to phenolic compounds and anthocyanidins (that beautiful purply, blueish, blackish hue) and also terpenes, lectins, pectin, peptides, and malic acid.910
Supplementing with elderberry is known to significantly reduce upper respiratory tract infection symptoms, providing a potentially safer antibiotic alternative in routine cold & flu.11
The European subspecies, Sambucus nigra ssp. nigra, has been widely studied however, the American elderberry S. nigra ssp. canadensis and the blue elderberry S. nigra ssp. cerulea less so. All three subspecies are used within the elderberry supply chain.12
Elderberry extracts are more bioactive than elderflower extracts13 which typically are used in teas, infusions, syrups, and liquors and not for medicinal purposes. Uncooked elderberry will cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and weakness - and it is advised not to crush berries with the stems and leaves when making syrup. In general, traditional grated, soaked, and fermented and modern chopped, pressed, and heated food processing techniques reduce the toxic potential of anthocyanins.14
Sambucus nigra the homeopathic medicine
Sambucus nigra the homeopathic medicine originates from the tincture of (equal parts) elder leaves and flowers15 which, when prepared in accordance with the German Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia (GHP), method 3a, contains rutin, chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid.16
Sambucus nigra
Affects especially the mucous membranes of the respiratory system causing obstructive catarrh, and the skin with profuse and debilitating perspiration. Dry coryza of infants.17 Dry heat in sleep with heavy perspiration on waking or during the day. Nasal obstruction. Snuffly newborns. Worse night, after midnight. 18
A case of newborn snuffles19
Petra is a breastfed two-week-old and has the snuffles. Both the GP and child health nurse remain unconcerned. Petra was born mildly cyanotic and is a very sweaty baby except when sleeping.
Please note that my preferred repertory is always The Essential Synthesis20 - I like a combination of books and accuracy! The above repertorization is included for visual purposes only, portraying closely the actual selected rubrics;
NOSE: Snuffling; children, newborns, in.
GENERALS; Cyanosis.
PERSPIRATION: Sleep; during, amel.
During the process of determining the homeopathic prescription, every effort is made to understand that which is unique to the person - homeopathy has the utmost respect for the individual.
The human being is a complex system, operating on multiple levels concurrently.
Likewise, the defense system is a physical and psychological complexity having the simple goal of preserving life as best as possible.21
The defense system is continually attempting to rid harmful / pathogenic etc., influences in its own unique, individual way which drives symptomatology. This is basic homeopathic understanding, the principle on which treatment is designed.22
A correctly prescribed, individualized homeopathic medicine is evidence based23 and has the sophisticated effect of encouraging and supporting the inherent defense system to overcome pathologies.24
ADDITIONAL READING
Homeopathy & Blackthorn
Anthocyanins have powerful health benefits due to their antioxidant properties. Studies suggest eating anthocyanin-rich foods can have a significantly positive impact on human health
‘In contrast to frequent claims, the available meta analyses of homoeopathy in placebo-controlled randomised trials for any indication show significant positive effects beyond placebo. Compared to other medical interventions, the quality of evidence for efficacy of homoeopathy was similar or higher than for 90% of interventions across medicine. Accordingly, the efficacy evidence from placebo-controlled randomised trials provides no justification for regulatory or political actions against homoeopathy in health-care systems.’25
Chisholm, G. 2024. Irish Tree Explorers Network LÃonra Taiscéalaà Crainn na hÉireann. Sambucus nigra. https://www.ucc.ie/en/tree-explorers/trees/a-z/sambucusnigra/
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. 2014. An evidence-based systematic review of elderberry and elderflower (Sambucus nigra) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. J Diet Suppl. Mar;11(1):80-120. doi: 10.3109/19390211.2013.859852. Epub 2014 Jan 10. PMID: 24409980.
Salamon I, Grulova D. 2015. Elderberry (Sambucus nigra): from natural medicine in ancient times to protection against witches in the Middle Ages—a brief historical overview. Acta Hortic. 1061:35–40
Chisholm, G. 2024. Irish Tree Explorers Network LÃonra Taiscéalaà Crainn na hÉireann. Sambucus nigra. https://www.ucc.ie/en/tree-explorers/trees/a-z/sambucusnigra/
Agalar HG. 2019. Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.). In Nonvitamin and Nonmineral Nutritional Supplements, ed. SM Nabavi, A Sanches Silva, pp. 211–15. Cambridge, MA: Academic.
Mahboubi M. 2021. Sambucus nigra (Black Elder) as alternative treatment for cold and flu. Adv. Tradit. Med. 21(3):405–14
Uncini Manganelli RE, Zaccaro L, Tomei PE. 2005. Antiviral activity in vitro of Urtica dioica L., Parietaria diffusa M. et K. and Sambucus nigra L. J. Ethnopharmacol. 98(3):323–27
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. 2014. An evidence-based systematic review of elderberry and elderflower (Sambucus nigra) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. J Diet Suppl. Mar;11(1):80-120. doi: 10.3109/19390211.2013.859852. Epub 2014 Jan 10. PMID: 24409980.
Liu D, He XQ, Wu DT, Li HB, Feng YB, Zou L, Gan RY. Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.): Bioactive Compounds, Health Functions, and Applications. J Agric Food Chem. 2022 Apr 13;70(14):4202-4220. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.2c00010. Epub 2022 Mar 29. PMID: 35348337.
Sanlier N, Ejder ZB, Irmak E. Are the Effects of Bioactive Components on Human Health a Myth?: Black Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) from Exotic Fruits. Curr Nutr Rep. 2024 Dec;13(4):815-827. doi: 10.1007/s13668-024-00572-6. Epub 2024 Sep 15. PMID: 39278865.
Hawkins J, Baker C, Cherry L, Dunne E. Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) supplementation effectively treats upper respiratory symptoms: A meta-analysis of randomized, controlled clinical trials. Complement Ther Med. 2019 Feb;42:361-365. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2018.12.004. Epub 2018 Dec 18. PMID: 30670267.
Uhl K, Mitchell AE. Elderberry, an Ancient Remedy: A Comprehensive Study of the Bioactive Compounds in Three Sambucus nigra L. Subspecies. Annu Rev Food Sci Technol. 2024 Jun;15(1):27-51. doi: 10.1146/annurev-food-072023-034423. Epub 2024 Jun 20. PMID: 38211940.
Lamy S, Muhire É, Annabi B. 2018. Antiproliferative efficacy of elderberries and elderflowers (Sambucus canadensis) on glioma and brain endothelial cells under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. J. Funct. Foods https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322178602_Antiproliferative_efficacy_of_elderberries_and_elderflowers_Sambucus_canadensis_on_glioma_and_brain_endothelial_cells_under_normoxic_and_hypoxic_conditions
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. 2014. An evidence-based systematic review of elderberry and elderflower (Sambucus nigra) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. J Diet Suppl. Mar;11(1):80-120. doi: 10.3109/19390211.2013.859852. Epub 2014 Jan 10. PMID: 24409980.
Allen, T. The Encyclopaedia of Pure Materia Medica. A record of the positive effects of drugs upon the healthy human organism. Vol. VIII. P – S. 6th Ed. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers; 2011. (Originally published in 1874)
Scheepmaker MM, Gower NT. The quality of selected South African and international homoeopathic mother tinctures. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2011;8(5 Suppl):46-52. doi: 10.4314/ajtcam.v8i5S.14. Epub 2011 Jul 3. PMID: 22754057; PMCID: PMC3252726.
Das Gupta. Characteristic Materia Media. 12th Ed. Calcutta: Economic Homeo Pharmacy; 1972.
Morrison, R. 1993. Desktop Guide to Keynotes and Confirmatory Symptoms. Grass Valley. Hahnemann Clinic Publishing.
One Hundred Practice Cases for Homeopaths
''Sarah’s expertise and methodical approach in narrating these cases offers a unique opportunity for homeopaths to practice effective prescribing through emphasis upon each individual’s unique circumstances and specific needs.''
The Essential Synthesis. Edited by Dr. Frederick Schroyens. London: Homoeopathic Book Publishers and Archibel S.A. 2007.
Vithoulkas, G. 2014. 7th ed., The Science of Homeopathy. International Academy of Classical Homeopathy, Alonissos, Greece.
Vithoulkas, G. 2017. Levels of Health, The second volume of the Science of Homeopathy, revised edition. Alonissos: International Academy of Classical Homeopathy.
Hamre HJ, Glockmann A, von Ammon K, Riley DS, Kiene H. Efficacy of homoeopathic treatment: Systematic review of meta-analyses of randomised placebo-controlled homoeopathy trials for any indication. Systematic Rev. 2023 Oct 7;12(1):191. https://systematicreviewsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13643-023-02313-2#Abs1
Mahesh et al., 2020. Multimorbidity After Surgical Menopause Treated with Individualized Classical Homeopathy: A Case Report. Clinical Medicine Insights: Case Reports. PMID: 33149716
Hamre HJ, Glockmann A, von Ammon K, Riley DS, Kiene H. Efficacy of homoeopathic treatment: Systematic review of meta-analyses of randomised placebo-controlled homoeopathy trials for any indication. Systematic Rev. 2023 Oct 7;12(1):191. https://systematicreviewsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13643-023-02313-2#Abs1
Great and helpful information on health and well-being, thank you, Sarah and thank you for your work!