Sambucus nigra
What's the taxonomical classification of Sambucus nigra?
Sambucus nigra belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized into the order Dipsacales. It is a member of the family Viburnaceae, falling under the genus Sambucus, and is specifically identified by the species name nigra.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Dipsacales |
| Family | Viburnaceae |
| Genus | Sambucus |
| Species | nigra |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Sambucus nigra has opposite, pinnate leaves consisting of five to seven serrated, ovate leaflets arranged along a central rachis. The plant typically develops as a deciduous shrub or small tree reaching heights of three to seven meters. Its woody stems are characterized by a soft, pithy center and a bark that becomes furrowed with age. During the flowering season, it produces large, flat-topped cymes of small, creamy-white flowers that emit a sweet fragrance. These blossoms eventually transition into clusters of small, dark purple to black fleshy drupes.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to a vast range stretching from Western Europe and the Mediterranean through much of temperate Asia and into parts of North Africa. It thrives across diverse landscapes ranging from woodland edges to riverbanks where moisture is abundant. While its primary origin is the Eurasian continent, it has been widely introduced to other regions like North America and Oceania for ornamental and medicinal purposes. The species can withstand various climates provided they remain within temperate zones. Its wide distribution is supported by its ability to adapt to a variety of soil types and elevations.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant Sambucus nigra thrives in moist, well-drained soils within full sun to partial shade and requires regular watering to maintain consistent moisture levels.
It is best planted in early spring or autumn to ensure strong root establishment before the growing season begins. Because it grows rapidly, it often requires annual pruning to manage its size and encourage vigorous new flowering stems. Nitrogen-rich compost can be added to the soil during planting to support its nutrient needs.
Once established, the elderberry is relatively hardy but performs best when protected from extreme drought conditions.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Sambucus nigra provides medicinal value through its flowers, berries, fruit, leaves, and roots. The flowers are commonly used to create syrups and teas that help soothe respiratory issues and reduce inflammation. Dark berries and the resulting fruit are frequently processed into potent extracts to support the immune system during viral infections. While the leaves can be applied topically for skin ailments, they must be used with caution due to potential toxicity. Additionally, the roots are sometimes utilized in traditional preparations, though they require careful processing to be safe for consumption.
According to a study published by "Journal of the science of food and agriculture", Sambucus nigra possesses high antioxidant activity and has been used to treat numerous medicinal disorders. The plant parts studied include leaves, flowers, and berries. Elder berries contained the lowest levels of harmful cyanogenic glycosides compared to other analysed plant parts. Specifically, berries accumulated 0.11 µg g-1 CGG at the foothills and 0.59 µg g-1 CGG at the hilltop. Regarding anthocyanin content, fruit collected at the foothills of location 2 contained 3343 µg g-1, whereas fruit from the hilltop contained 7729 µg g-1. Elder berries and flowers collected at the foothill were characterised by the lowest levels of both beneficial phenolics and harmful CGG.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- berries
- flower
- fruit
- leaf
- root
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, Sambucus nigra, has been utilized for centuries across various traditional medicinal systems to treat respiratory ailments, skin conditions, and digestive issues. In Austrian folk medicine, practitioners historically prepared syrups and teas from the flowers and berries to combat common colds and seasonal fevers. European herbalists frequently employed the bark and roots in decoctions to address inflammatory conditions and diuretic needs. Many ancient cultures also used the plant's properties to manage swelling or to serve as a topical treatment for minor wounds. These long-standing practices demonstrate the diverse therapeutic roles assigned to different parts of the plant throughout history.
According to a study published by "Planta medica", Sambucus nigra is categorized as one of the lesser-known plants within the VOLKSMED database. This database contains plants and other materials used in Austrian folk medicine, appearing either as monographs or mixtures. Systematic searches using the databases SciFinder, SCOPUS, and PubMed yielded substantial evidence for the wound healing potential of Sambucus nigra. Furthermore, in vivo and clinical studies substantiate the use of this plant in Austrian folk medicine.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Austrian folk medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Sambucus nigra?
This plant has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, antimicrobial, and immunostimulatory pharmacological activities that contribute to its therapeutic value. Its high concentration of flavonoids and anthocyanins provides potent antioxidant effects by neutralizing free radicals in the body. These compounds also serve as anti-inflammatory agents that help reduce swelling and pain in various tissues. The plant exhibits significant antiviral properties, particularly in inhibiting the replication of influenza viruses. Additionally, its antimicrobial action helps combat bacterial pathogens, while its immunostimulatory effects enhance the overall responsiveness of the immune system.
According to a study published by "Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)", Sambucus nigra fruit and flower extracts exhibit anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities. In the cotton pellet-induced granuloma test, SNFrE doses of 10, 20, and 50 mg/kg BW reduced induced granuloma weight in rats by 20.3%, 20.5%, and 28.4%, respectively. At the highest dose of 50 mg/kg BW, SNFrE showed significant (p < 0.01) anti-inflammatory activity comparable to 10 mg/kg BW of diclofenac. Both extracts at doses of 50 mg/kg BW significantly inhibited abdominal contractions in the acetic-acid-induced writhing test compared to the control group (p < 0.01). These findings provide experimental evidence for the use of Sambucus nigra in traditional medicine.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-inflammatory
- antiviral
- antioxidant
- immunostimulatory
- anti-infective
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains a diverse array of medicinal compounds including anthocyanins, flavonoids, rutin, sambucol, and cyanogenic glycosides. The anthocyanins and flavonoids provide potent antioxidant properties that help reduce inflammation and support the immune system. Within this group, rutin serves as a specific bioflavonoid known for strengthening capillaries and improving circulation. Sambucol is a well-known extract derived from the berries that is frequently utilized to combat viral infections. Additionally, the plant possesses cyanogenic glycosides, which must be managed carefully as they can release hydrogen cyanide if the plant parts are consumed improperly.
According to a study published by "Journal of medicinal food", Sambucus nigra contains a range of anthocyanins, flavonoids, and other polyphenolics that contribute to the high antioxidant capacity of its berries. This European elderberry has been recognized for its health-promoting properties for many generations. The plant demonstrates significant chemopreventive potential through the strong induction of quinone reductase and the inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2. These actions indicate both anti-initiation and antipromotion properties. Analysis of active fractions reveals the presence of flavonoids along with more lipophilic compounds such as sesquiterpenes, iridoid monoterpene glycosides, and phytosterols.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anthocyanins
- flavonoids
- rutin
- sambucol
- cyanogenic glycosides
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating the common cold, flu, influenza, upper respiratory tract infections, and various viral respiratory infections. Its berries and flowers contain compounds that help support the immune system during illness. Many people use elderberry extracts to reduce the duration and severity of viral symptoms. These natural properties make it a popular remedy for soothing inflamed airways. By inhibiting viral replication, it serves as a traditional defense against seasonal sickness.
According to a study published by "Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology", Sambucus nigra is a component of the herbal medicinal product Sinupret(®) which is frequently used in the treatment of acute and chronic rhinosinusiitis and respiratory viral infections such as common cold. Sinupret(®) demonstrates concentration-dependent antiviral activity against a broad panel of human pathogenic RNA and DNA viruses, including influenza A, Chile 1/83 (H1N1) virus (FluA), Porcine Influenza A/California/07/2009 (H1N1) virus (pFluA), parainfluenza type 3 virus (Para 3), respiratory syncytial virus, strain Long (RSV), human rhinovirus B subtype 14 (HRV 14), coxsackievirus subtype A9 (CA9), and adenovirus C subtype 5 (Adeno 5). This antiviral activity is observed with an EC(50) between 13.8 and 124.8 μg/ml. Remarkable antiviral activity was specifically shown against Adeno 5, HRV 14 and RSV.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- cold
- common cold
- flu
- influenza
- upper respiratory tract infections
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is Sambucus nigra, a species used to create diverse medicinal preparations such as decoctions, dried flower teas, infusions, juices, and tinctures. The flowers are commonly steeped as infusions or dried flower teas to support respiratory health and immune function. For more concentrated therapeutic effects, herbalists often prepare tinctures using high-proof alcohol to extract active compounds. The berries are frequently processed into a thick, antioxidant-rich juice that is often used as a base for syrups. Additionally, decoctions are made by boiling the harder berry parts to extract deep medicinal properties for wellness support.
According to a study published by "Diabetes research (Edinburgh, Scotland)", Sambucus nigra was one of twelve plants studied for its effects on glucose homeostasis. The plant was administered in the diet at 6.25% by weight or as decoctions and infusions in place of drinking water. In normal mice, 28 days of treatment with Sambucus nigra preparations did not affect basal plasma glucose, insulin, glucose tolerance, insulin-induced hypoglycaemia, or glycated haemoglobin. Following the administration of 200 mg/kg of streptozotocin, Sambucus nigra did not significantly affect the parameters of basal glucose, insulin, insulin-induced hypoglycaemia, glycated haemoglobin, or pancreatic insulin concentration.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- decoctions
- dried flower teas
- infusion
- juice
- tinctures
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause severe health issues such as cyanogenic glycosides toxicity, gastrointestinal discomfort, diuresis, erysipelas, and allergic reactions. Consuming raw parts of the plant may lead to poisoning due to the presence of certain glycosides that release cyanide in the body. Many users also report experiencing nausea, vomiting, or general gastrointestinal discomfort after ingestion. Some individuals may suffer from diuresis, which increases urine production and can lead to dehydration. Additionally, certain people might develop an allergy to the plant or experience skin conditions like erysipelas.
According to a study published by "Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)", Sambucus nigra contains lectins sequence-related to the elderberry allergen Sam n1, some of which are type II ribosome-inactivating proteins. These native lectins in the fruits and bark are refractory to proteolysis when exposed to simulated gastric and duodenal fluids. However, incubation in a boiling water bath for 5-10 min completely sensitizes them to hydrolytic enzymes in vitro. Under these specific conditions, total Folin-Ciocalteau's reagent reactive compounds, total anthocyanins, and the mixture of cyanidin-3-glucoside plus cyanidin-3-sambubioside were not affected by more than 10% for incubations of up to 20 min. Consequently, short-time heat treatment reduces potential allergy-related risks from consumption without seriously affecting its antioxidant and free-radical scavenging properties.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- allergy
- cyanogenic glycosides toxicity
- diuresis
- erysipelas
- gastrointestinal discomfort
What herbs are paired with Sambucus nigra?
This plant Sambucus nigra pairs most effectively with Echinacea purpurea, Elderberry syrup, and Astragalus to enhance its immune-supporting properties.
Combining elderberry with echinacea can provide a synergistic effect during seasonal wellness routines. Adding ginger or cinnamon to elderberry preparations helps balance the flavor profile while contributing warming digestive benefits. Rose hips are another excellent addition because their high vitamin C content complements the antioxidant profile of the berries.
These combinations are frequently used in herbal tinctures and syrups to support systemic health.