General Description
Elderberry (or elder) is the common name for a group of shrubs and
trees of the genus Sambucus, which includes roughly 20 to 30 species
found throughout Europe, Asia, North America, and North Africa.
The European elder (or black elderberry) Sambucus nigra, the species
most used for medicinal purposes, is a deciduous tree reaching up
to 9 meters in height, common throughout much of Europe and parts
of Asia. The black elderberry has large, compound leaves, each made
up of pairs of elliptical, serrate-edged leaflets attatched to a
central leaf stem. The leaves give off a strong, unpleasant odor
when bruised. The tree flowers in early summer, producing large
clusters of small white blossoms, which are eventually succeeded
by clusters of blue-to-black colored fruit. Black elderberries typically
ripen in late summer, from August to Sempember.
Health Applications
- Immune system support
- Antioxidant protection
- Colds/flu
History and Traditional Use
The elderberry has a long history steeped in superstition. In
Medieval times, the tree was thought to have magical powers and
was often planted for protection from evil spirits. In Denmark,
the elderberry was believed to be inhabited by a magical being,
the Hylde-Moer (elder mother) who would punish anyone who harmed
the tree. It was once a popular belief that Judas hanged himself
from an elderberry tree; in other lore it was believed to be the
tree from which the cross of Jesus' crucifixion was made.1
Over the centuries, parts of the elderberry have been used for
a wide variety of purposes. The berries have been used to make
wine, jam, and pies. The juice from the berries was used to make
dye for hair and fabrics. The young shoots of the elderberry were
hollowed out to make whistles and pop-guns for children. The leaves,
berries, bark, and root of the elderberry were used for a wide
variety of medicinal purposes. The 17th century British herbalist
Nicholas Culpeper prescribed the root for inducing vomiting, the
young shoots as a decongestant, the leaves for eye inflammation,
the berries for ear drops and as a diuretic, and the flowers for
headaches.2 In many parts of Europe, elderberries
are still used as a folk remedy for colds and flu to this day.
Chemical Composition
Active compounds in elderberries include lectins, vitamin C, tannins,
and a variety of antioxidant flavonoids.3,4
The flowers contain volatile oils.5
Immune System
Support
The berries and flowers of the elderberry tree have long been
used as a remedy for colds and flu, but there is little scientific
data to support this use. In one study, an elderberry extract
was found to be effective for treatment of influenza symptoms
compared to placebo. It also was found to inhibit the replication
of several strains of influenza virus in vitro.6
Germany's Commision E has approved the dried flowers of elderberry
for the treatment of the common cold,5 although
clinical studies on the efficacy of the herb for treatment of
the common cold are lacking.
Dosage/Toxicity
For the common cold, Germany's Commission E recommends 10 to 15
grams of the dried flowers in teas administered throughout the
day. For fluid extracts of the flowers, the recommendation is
1.5 to 3 grams per day.5 Liquid extracts of
the berries are commonly taken in doses ranging from 3.5 to 15
grams per day. The fresh, cooked, or dried berries are consumed
liberally with no adverse reactions reported. Toxic compounds
found in the wood, leaves, and roots of the black elderberry tree
are not present in the berries. |
