Among herbal supplements, elderberry poses greatest risks in autoimmune skin disease

Use of elderberry as an herbal supplement preceded disease exacerbation in 62% of patients with dermatomyositis, and in 50% of those with cutaneous lupus erythematosus, according to data published in ACR Open Rheumatology.
In all, nearly one-third of patients with autoimmune skin diseases reported using herbal supplements despite the risks for immune dysregulation, the researchers added.
“Autoimmune diseases have a genetic predisposition, but that there are triggers such as immunostimulatory herbs that can induce the disease or exacerbate the disease,” Victoria P. Werth, MD, of the

Use of elderberry as an herbal supplement preceded disease exacerbation in 62% of patients with dermatomyositis, and in 50% of those with cutaneous lupus erythematosus, according to data published in ACR Open Rheumatology.
In all, nearly one-third of patients with autoimmune skin diseases reported using herbal supplements despite the risks for immune dysregulation, the researchers added.
“Autoimmune diseases have a genetic predisposition, but that there are triggers such as immunostimulatory herbs that can induce the disease or exacerbate the disease,” Victoria P. Werth, MD, of the