BT-021 · Viburnaceae

Elder

Sambucus nigra
Evidence: LimitedCaution

In European folklore a spirit lived in the elder tree, and cutting it without permission brought bad luck.

Other names
Black elder, elderberry, sauco
Part used
Flowers, ripe berries
Region
Anatolia and the Mediterranean
Andes
Use
Healing, Food
Elder (Sambucus nigra): purple-leaved garden variety with pink flowers
Photo: Dominicus Johannes Bergsma · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
In short

What is Elder?

Elder (Sambucus nigra) is a plant of the Viburnaceae family. Traditions that use it: Anatolia and the Mediterranean, Andes. Part used: flowers, ripe berries.

What is Elder used for?

Traditional use: On the Black Sea coast the flowers become sherbet and the berries jam and syrup, drunk for colds and fever. Scientific evidence: limited. The EMA recognises elderflower for early cold symptoms as a traditional use.

Is Elder safe?

Safety label: caution. Raw berries, leaves, bark and stems contain compounds that release cyanide and cause nausea and vomiting. Always cook the berries.

Traditional use

Anatolia

On the Black Sea coast the flowers become sherbet and the berries jam and syrup, drunk for colds and fever.

Andes

The Andean native species Sambucus peruviana (sauco) is made into jams and drinks; its flowers are brewed for coughs.

In nature

Where it grows
Forest edges, hedges and stream banks in the Black Sea and Marmara regions.
Harvest season
Flowers May–June, berries August–September.
Local names
mürver, kara mürver, sambuka

Mix-up risk

Herbaceous dwarf elder (Sambucus ebulus) is poisonous. Black elder grows as a tree-like shrub.

Preparation

Flowers are steeped; berries must always be cooked into syrup or jam.

What science says

The EMA recognises elderflower for early cold symptoms as a traditional use. Small studies with berry extract reported shorter flu; the evidence is weak.

Safety

Caution

Raw berries, leaves, bark and stems contain compounds that release cyanide and cause nausea and vomiting. Always cook the berries.

Drug interactions

Medicine or substanceWhy it matters
DiureticsThe flower’s mild diuretic effect may add up.
ImmunosuppressantsTheoretical interaction, as it may stimulate immunity.

This list is not complete. If you take regular medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor before trying Elder.

Similar plants

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica): hairy toothed leaves and hanging flower clusters
BT-004

Stinging nettle

Urtica dioica
Urticaceae
Evidence: LimitedGenerally safe
Common mallow (Malva sylvestris): pink flowers with purple stripes
BT-011

Common mallow

Malva sylvestris
Malvaceae
Evidence: TraditionalGenerally safe
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus): stems with pale purple flowers
BT-013

Rosemary

Salvia rosmarinus
Lamiaceae
Evidence: TraditionalGenerally safe

Sources

  1. EMA monographSambuci flos: European Medicines Agency herbal assessment
  2. NCCIHUS National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: use and safety summary
  3. BookBaytop T. Türkiye’de Bitkiler ile Tedavi: Geçmişte ve Bugün. 2. baskı. İstanbul: Nobel Tıp Kitabevleri; 1999.
  4. Botanical recordKew Plants of the World Online: Sambucus nigra
  5. Titles of research sources are summarised in Turkish on the Turkish page; links open the original English publications.

Written by Edanaz Tınmazlar · Last reviewed: · Türkçe

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