Scientific Name: Sambucus nigra
Order: Dipsacales
Family: Adoxaceae
In brief elderberry has:
dietary fiber (7.00 g | 25% DV)
vitamin C (36.00 mg | 40% DV)
The elderberry (Sambucus nigra) plant is a medium-sized tree native to Europe and North America. The Latin specific epithet "nigra" means "black" and refers to the dark purple color of the berries, so elderberry is sometimes called black elder. This color is due to the presence of anthocyanins, a type of flavonoid compound. Like many fruits, elderberries are high in vitamin C. The flowers are sometimes used in herbal medicine to make an elderberry tea. However, the ripe berries are more commonly consumed for their medicinal properties. Elderberry supplements are most often sold in the form of gummies, syrups, or tinctures. Although not as common, elderberry juice can also be found in some stores.
An amount of 100 g of elderberry contains 36 mg vitamin C (40% daily value [DV]). Vitamin C is a useful antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals. It can protect one's cells from damage and supports heart health. It is commonly known that vitamin C plays an important role in the immune system as well. This vitamin also enables the body to produce collagen, which provides structure to cells, skin, and hair.
Elderberries also have antioxidants like anthocyanins and flavonols, which may protect against oxidative stress. These antioxidants might also act as immunostimulants and have anti-inflammatory properties. The high content of fiber (25% DV) promotes digestive health.
Safety:
Side effects from consuming elderberries may include diarrhea and vomiting. Only consume the ripe berries or flowers. Consuming other parts of the elderberry tree and unripe berries is toxic. That is, there is a risk of cyanide poisoning if the leaves, shoots, bark, roots, and young berries are ingested; symptoms may include dizziness, headache, convulsions, gastrointestinal distress, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and tachycardia. A protein in elderberry has been found to be an allergen. If elderberries are eaten while pregnant, they may cause gastrointestinal upset. Safety information was derived from the following sources: [Förster-Waldl et al. 2003]; [Tsui et al. 2001].