Black Alder

BotanicalBest taken away from food

What is it

Black alder (Alnus glutinosa) is a tree whose bark and buds are used in European herbalism. Bud extracts are particularly favored in gemmotherapy for circulatory and inflammatory complaints.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Inflammation / circulation (traditional/gemmotherapy)

Mixed Evidence

Based on traditional European herbalism. Modern controlled trials are lacking.

How it works

Black alder contains tannins, flavonoids, and triterpenoids. Preclinical work suggests anti-inflammatory and astringent activity. In gemmotherapy, bud extracts are promoted as gentler than mature plant extracts, though the underlying clinical evidence is sparse. Human trial data specifically on black alder are limited.

Dosage

There is no RDA. Gemmotherapy bud extract dosing is typically 25-50 drops daily. DSLD does not provide a median dose for this entry.

When and how to take it

Gemmotherapy extracts are typically taken between meals. No specific time of day required.

1 commercial form

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Alnus glutinosa bud extract / gemmotherapy

Liquid bud extracts predominate.

Bud extracts are dilute glycerine-water-alcohol preparations.

Safety

Generally well tolerated at modest herbal doses. Allergic reactions are possible, particularly in those with birch family pollen allergies.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to limited safety data. Caution in birch/alder pollen allergy.

Interactions

Theoretical interactions with anticoagulants based on tannin content. Limited clinical interaction data.

Frequently asked questions

What is gemmotherapy?⌄

An herbal modality using bud and young shoot extracts; clinical evidence beyond traditional use is limited.

Can I take black alder if I have a birch allergy?⌄

Cross-reactivity is possible. Discuss with an allergist before use.

References

Black Alder on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Black Alder on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Black Alder (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.