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Elderberry Buerger's Disease

Buerger's disease is the loss of blood circulation in the hands and feet due to swelling of the arteries. Left untreated, Buerger's disease can cause serious infections and gangrene, resulting in amputation of fingers and toes. While there is no cure, there are natural food products, such as elderberry, that may help stimulate circulation, reduce inflammation and possibly minimize further damage to the skin of the hands and feet.

  1. Buerger's disease

    • If you have Buerger's disease, you must stop using all tobacco products.

      The exact trigger of Buerger's disease has yet to be identified, but doctors know this for certain: almost everyone who develops Buerger's disease is a tobacco user, and the immediate, complete cessation of tobacco use can halt the progress of the disease. With Buerger's disease, your blood vessels swell and may become plugged up with blood clots. If you develop pain, weakness or swelling in your hands and feet, or show Reynaud's phenomenon, where your fingertips and toes turn white when exposed to cold, you may have Buerger's disease, but it could also be other more common conditions that your doctor will have to rule out.

    Diagnosis and Treatment

    • Blood tests can rule out more common problems like lupus, scleroderma and diabetes. All of these conditions require different types of treatments. If you do have Buerger's disease, your doctor can help you develop strategies to quit tobacco. Your doctor may prescribe medicines to improve blood flow or break up blood clots. You will have to keep a close eye on your hands and feet, watching for cuts and other injuries that could easily become infected, develop gangrene and cost you a finger or toe.

    Elderberry

    • The elderberry is a small, dark, flavorful fruit commonly used in jellies, pies, wine---any number of sweet foods. Elderberry fruits are an excellent source of anthocyanins, vitamins A and C and a good source of calcium, iron and vitamin B6. They also contain sterols, tannins and essential oils, all of which are generally good for your health. Elderberries and elder flowers have a long history in traditional folk medicine---and are under scrutiny by conventional western medicine---for a variety of medicinal uses as well.

    Medicinal Uses of Elderberry

    • Traditionally, elderberry is valued in the fight against influenza and colds. Folk medicine says it can be used against infection and inflammation as well. Like many berries, elderberry is an antioxidant and contains compounds that are known anti-inflammatories. The flowers, in particular, are said to be a circulatory stimulant, which may be especially useful to sufferers of Buerger's disease.

    How to Use Elderberry or Flowers

    • Traditional dosages for adults are as follows: you can take 2 tablespoons of a syrup of black elderberry extract twice daily. You can also make a tea from 1 teaspoon of dried elder flowers steeped in 1 cup boiling water for ten to fifteen minutes, which you can drink three times a day.

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