Elderberry - Sambucus nigra

Detailed Description

Elderberry is a plant with anti-inflammatory, cleansing, and antibacterial properties.

Botanical Information

Elderberry is a widely branching perennial tree or shrub that can reach heights of up to 8 meters. The trunk and branches start off smooth and gray (almost bare), gradually becoming finely hairy to fuzzy, eventually turning coarse gray. The leaves are opposite, with a petiole, pinnate (usually with 2-3 pairs of leaflets) and typically have 9 leaflets. Elderberry leaflets can be up to 8 cm long and 3 cm wide, nearly sessile, lance-shaped, delicately oval to egg-shaped, and have finely serrated edges. The inflorescence is a terminal umbel, usually 15–30 cm in diameter, and the flowers are bisexual. Elderberry blooms from June to July. The fruit is a black-purple berry, up to 8 mm in size, maturing in the sunny period of late autumn. These berries are an important food source for birds that feed on fruit.

Origin and Distribution

Elderberry is found almost worldwide. There are only a few locations in Europe where it cannot survive, such as parts of Scandinavia, most of Russia, and the Caucasus. Its range originally extended from the Black Sea, Asia Minor, Armenia, and Iran to the central areas of Asia. It was introduced to many other parts of the world. In the Czech Republic, elderberry is widespread except in mountainous regions.

It grows in moist habitats (forest clearings are not uncommon), as well as in rocky places. Other typical locations include ravines, roadsides, and places described in the Cultivation section. In rural areas, it is commonly found near houses, fences, and in gardens. Its occurrence is not unique—elderberry is a common component of temperate flora. Thanks to birds that feed on its berries, its seeds are dispersed over long distances.

Usage / Dosage

Elderberry has a wide range of uses, both therapeutic and culinary. In food production, elderberries are especially prized. The juice has a rich, intense dark red color and is widely used as a natural food coloring. The typical dark red hue comes from anthocyanins—potent antioxidants also found in blueberries and chokeberries. Elderberry plays a significant role in the production of liqueurs and spirits. Juice can also be made from the flowers and, through fermentation, a refreshing lemonade can be produced. Homemade kitchen recipes often feature elderflower syrup. Dried elderflowers are suitable for making herbal teas.

All parts of the plant are usable, and most pharmaceutical companies involved in herbal products purchase them in bulk for the manufacture of teas and blends. In folk medicine, the flowers, leaves, berries, and bark are specifically gathered from June to July, with berries a bit later (October to November). Historically, elderberry was used for almost everything—from relieving toothache to treating burns (young leaves mixed with barley flour made a paste applied to burns or bites for relief). Powdered dry leaves were used to stop nosebleeds.

An infusion of elderflowers is a mild diuretic, so it's important to increase fluid intake. It may help to gently lower high blood pressure. Compounds in elderflowers help loosen mucus and aid expectoration. The infusion may reduce excessive sweating (when combined with birch or chamomile, it is an excellent remedy for heavy sweating—unless due to an underlying illness).

Unripe elderberries are moderately toxic and should not be consumed. Fully ripe, dark red or dark blue berries can be eaten in moderation. The green parts of the plant are not suitable for consumption (they are also mildly toxic), containing cyanogenic glycosides.

Elderberry is traditionally used as a medicinal plant in many diverse cultures around the world. Extracts from its leaves, flowers, berries, or roots are employed in the treatment of bronchial inflammation, coughs, and upper respiratory tract infections, as well as to help with fevers. Active ingredients in elderberry are believed to help improve the overall condition of patients during flu or feverish illnesses. Patients tended to recover better and faster from infectious diseases compared to placebo.

In Eastern Europe, elderberry extracts are widely sold and recommended as excellent remedies for blocked noses, supporting mucus expectoration and calming dry, irritating coughs. This indication is often repeated in folk medicine, with recommended dosage similar to that prescribed in Ukraine.

The berries and flowers of elderberry are traditionally used internally in Austrian folk medicine in the form of tea, jelly, syrup, juice, or decoction (flowers only as tea or syrup) for treating respiratory symptoms including coughs, irritations, and infectious diseases. Elderberry is also used orally for its healing (anti-inflammatory) effects in the mouth.

Active ingredients also support relief from digestive complaints (bloating, indigestion, nausea, sluggish digestion, insufficient gallbladder function, etc.), skin rashes, colds, and flu. In Germany, where it is also widely used, it is recommended for similar purposes as in Austria.

Certain compounds in the flowers have a mild laxative effect (due to their swelling properties). Compounds found throughout the plant, when used externally, show a mild antifungal effect. Some sources mention potential use of elderberry juice for reducing migraine episodes and managing nervous disorders (with a calming effect, particularly on the trigeminal nerve).

Active Compounds

The most important constituents are glycosides. The flowers commonly contain the glycoside sambunigrin, rutin, bioflavonoids, choline, essential oils, tannins, anthocyanins (antioxidant pigments), mucilaginous substances, and fatty acids. The berries contain similar compounds both qualitatively and quantitatively, but additionally have carotenoids and vitamins B and C.

Traditional Dosage

Elderberry blooms in June and July, with fruits ripening in late autumn. If the flowers have a strong scent, they can be gathered in dry weather (preferably before full bloom), dried quickly, and used for tea. Store dried flowers in a dry, cool place. To make tea, steep 5–10 grams of dried flowers in 500 ml of water for 15 minutes. Overconsumption may have a mild laxative effect. Mixed with chamomile, valerian, and vinegar, elderflowers were historically used externally for inflamed injuries or lesions, applied every 2–4 hours.
Dried berries should be scalded with boiling water—steep 1 teaspoon for 10 minutes and drink 1–2 times daily.