Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra)

Sambucus nigra or black elderberry is a small tree that is native to Europe. Both its flowers and berries are used in elderberry products. These include elderberry syrup, jelly, jam, pie, elderberry juice and wine. For its health benefits, sambucus elderberry has also been used in folk medicine for centuries.

Traditionally, the berries and other parts of the tree have been used for many ailments. This included fever, swelling, infections, rheumatism and more. They were also used to promote sweating and the production of urine.

Today, elderberry fruit extract can be found in many dietary supplements. Elderberry supplements are mainly used for cold and flu symptoms. The black berries are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber. However, they must be ripe and cooked before they are consumed. 

Origin and types

Sambucus or elderberry is a small genus of shrubs and small trees. They belong to the Viburnum family, while they were previously said to belong to the moschatel family or Adoxaceae.

The two main types of elderberries are the European elderberry and the American elderberry.

Sambucus nigra or European elder is known under many different names. The tree is also called common or black elder, European or black elderberry. This species is most commonly used in supplements and remedies. It has also been most studied in research.

Sambucus canadensis or American elder is native to North America and more shrub-like. It is also known as Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis. Various parts of the plant have been used by indigenous people as medicine and food source.

Sambucus racemosa is also called red elder or elderberry for its clusters of bright red berries. It grows across much of the Northern Hemisphere.

Sambucus caerulea or blue elderberry has bluish berries with a powder coating. The shrub is sometimes also called Mexican elderberry.

Sambucus elderberry nigra and other species contain the toxic compound cyanogenic glycoside called sambunigrin. Raw or unripe elderberries, the leaves and the stem can cause nausea, vomiting, or severe diarrhea when eaten. However, it is safe to eat the flowers as well as the cooked berries because cooking destroys the toxin.

What does the plant look like?

The European elder tree can grow up to around 6 m or 20 feet tall. It has dark green, feather-like leaves.
Its tiny flowers are cream-white and attract many insects. They appear in large clusters and bloom in early summer. In late summer, they are followed by bunches of small, black or dark purple berries. The tart elderberries are edible when cooked or processed.

Where does the name come from?

The genus name Sambucus is believed to come from the Greek word sambuce which is an ancient flute or pipe-like instrument. It refers to the tree’s hollow stems.

The name elder also refers to the hollow stems. It is thought to come from the old English word ‘aeld’ which means fire, because the stems were used for blowing up a fire.

‘Nigra’ is the Latin word for black or dark and refers to the colour of the berries.

The berries have a high content of so-called polyphenols. These natural compounds are antioxidants and help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. They also have strong anti-inflammatory properties. This means they can help reduce inflammation and support the immune system.

Research suggests that elderberries may also have some benefits for blood pressure and heart health. 

Medicinal Properties of Sambucus elderberry

The plant’s active polyphenols have shown a range of activities, including:

• anti-inflammatory (helps with inflammations)
• antioxidant (reduces oxidative stress)
• immunomodulating (regulates the immune system)

How or what is it used for?

The traditional use of Sambucus nigra included a wide range of ailments. Today, the flowers and berries are mostly used in cold and flu products.

Health Canada approves the use of elderberry flower and/or fruit in herbal medicine

• to promote sweating (diaphoretic) to help relieve fever (in cases of common colds, flus)
• to help relieve symptoms of colds and flus (such as coughs, sore throat and mucus buildup (catarrh) of the (upper) respiratory tract)

Cautions and drug interactions

Elderberry is generally considered safe for most people when consumed in the amounts typically found in foods. It is also listed as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) in the US.

The tree’s flowers and berries are both edible. However, the berries need to be ripe and cooked before eating. The consumption of unripe fruits or the leaves, stems, bark, and roots can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Elderberry extracts seem to be well tolerated when taken as directed. However, if you have an autoimmune disease or take immunosuppressants, ask your doctor before taking elderberry. It might interact by stimulating the immune system. 

It is always recommended to seek medical advice before starting any new health product. This is especially important if you are on medication, pregnant or breast-feeding.

Pascoe products that contain Black elderberry: